As if Gstaad, Switzerland didn't already sound like a fictional snow paradise, artist Olaf Breuning is giving us even more reason to marvel at the winter wonderland's unbelievably picturesque landscapes. Behold, what happens when a contemporary artist transforms an entire mountain into a massive canvas:
Olaf Breuning, Snow Drawing, 2014, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
The abstract installation -- a type of performance dubbed "Snow Drawing" -- is part of an ongoing, site-specific event called Elevation 1049. The outdoor exhibition (of sorts) brings together a group of exclusively Swiss artists charged with turning Gstaad's slopes into a giant open-air gallery. With elevation as a recurring theme throughout the artworks, the Alpine creations stand at the boundary line between earth and sky, decorating the contours of mountains, valleys and everything in between.
Olaf Breuning, Snow Drawing, 2014, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Olaf Breuning, Snow Drawing, 2014, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Breuning's painting-like work brought a swath of vibrant colors to the powder white mountainside, with the help of food color, sleds and a beautiful mess of unconventional brushstrokes. Scroll through a preview of Breuning's installation, as well as a few other artworks gracing Gstaad now, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Olaf Breuning, Snow Drawing, 2014, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Olaf Breuning, Snow Drawing, 2014, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Thomas Hirschhorn, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Gianni Motti, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Claudia Comte, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
John Armleder, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Sylvie Fleury, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Roman Signer, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Olivier Mosset, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Mai-Thu Perret, Installation view 'Elevation 1049', Gstaad, Switzerland, Courtesy of the Artist. Photo credit: Stefan Altenburger
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.