Lia Mostra d'Ert - Circolo
The Ortisei Artistic and Cultural Circle is a cultural association based in Piazza S. Antonio in Ortisei. The association was founded in 1920 to exhibit and sell carved sculptures directly, bypassing the dealers. The association pledged to offer sculptors from Val Gardena the opportunity to display and sell their pieces, particularly during the summer exhibitions. After the Second World War, there was a great desire for change and innovation. In 1947, a policy was established to only exhibit current works that were representative of that time and allowed the artist’s personality to be acknowledged. In the 1960s, the association held exhibitions abroad and invited foreign artists to exhibit their works in Val Gardena. Additionally, the Artistic and Cultural Circle established the first art library in South Tyrol. In 1969, the Circle was refreshed by the ideas of the ’68 movement. Performance was very important in the 1970s and 1980s. MAMALEEG and the exhibition held in the Prösels castle in 1984 were exhibitions that helped define the association’s history. Through the Circle, organisations that raise awareness for environmental protection (SOS Saslonch) and work with and for young people were founded. The newspapers Sckat (from 1971), L brunsin and Puhin (from 2009 to 2012) were all published in partnership with the Circle.
