GstaadLife

ROFL - Oliver Preston published two new books recently - 'Another Log on the Fire' and 'Fondue and Furs'. The latter looks at Gstaad and Saanenland and a barrel of laughs is guaranteed :-)

Everybody talks about it - here is a movie about it - the planned cultural center known as Les Arts Gstaad. After the jump you can read a translated article about the first planning phase which appeared in our sister publication, the Anzeiger von Saanen.

The 85 year old Oskar Buchs is showing his latest works in his atelier in Gstaad along with sculptures by Martin Bill.

by Peter Sonnekus-Williams

Ian Wilson: ­ businessman, lawyer, photographer, writer, all words that have been used to describe Ian’s career over the past years.

A father of three, Ian was born in an old seaside town of 1960’s England from where he says he ‘escaped’ for the bright lights of London as soon as he could. After studying law at King’s College, he spent 8 years in Hong Kong where he soon left be­hind his burgeoning legal career as ‘too boring’ and has since built successful business interests that have taken him all over the globe.

He now lives in the beautiful moun­tains of Saanenland and Pays d’Enhaut and, writing under his nom de plume of Dan Fox, Ian’s de­but novel, Nine Lives, was recently published. A deep and highly emotional journey, this book was nomi­nated for the 2011 Booker Prize.

Simply hilarious - Preston's pictures capture Gstaad at its best. Check out his new exhibition at the Gstaad Palace from February 17 to 18 2011, 17h-21h. You can enjoy a little pre-dégustation after the jump.

 
When Damien Hirst is in town, we might expect to see our dear Saanenland cows end up like the one above. But no worries - Andipa Gallery is only exhibiting unique works on paper by Damien Hirst alongside original rare paintings by Banksy at the Gstaad Palace from February 15 to 20 2011. Sounds like a very unique and interesting exhibition - check it out if you are around. 

Article from Gstaad My Love 2010-11 magazine by Hans-Ueli Tschanz

Rolf Schneider, the lawyer and notary, first came to Gstaad for an internship more than 30 years ago. This was an important crossroad in his life. Since then Rolf Schneider has been a trusted source when the situation calls for competent consultation or effective lobbying. He has taken on numerous jobs over the years for the local authorities, as well as for the tourism and industry sectors. He knows Gstaad’s chalet and hotel clientele like nobody else and loves Saanenland as a “Kraftort” (ie a place to rejuvenate oneself) and as a home for him and his family. And hardly anyone can believe that he will turn sixty this year.

Many of you know that Kirsty Bertarelli wrote the song 'Black Coffee' which the group All Saints interpreted to became a number 1 hit. But have you listened to her new album yet? Some of the songs were written 20 years ago and some only recently. What's interesting is that Kirsty does not even play an instrument and only composes with her voice. If you're a fan of popular music, this is decent stuff. Listen in for yourself with the below video that features an unplugged performance in the offices of 20 Minuten during a recent press tour:

 
Above: Winner Shelly Nadashi (right) and Ben Claremont who came second

Shelly Nadashi from Israel won the golden cow at last week's GSTAADFILM  festival. But much of the media spotlight actually fell on Harald Reichenbach, one of the organizers of the festival, who read out a letter by Roman Polanski during his opening speech. In this letter Polanski expressed his regret for not being able to be present personally, conveyed is best wishes for a successful festival, and thanked the people of Gstaad for their ongoing support.