"ART MUST TOUCH THE SOUL" Art has always been a hotly debated topic at Lake Tegernsee. Now there's a dedicated platform for it: the Art Talk at Gallery KOKO @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach. Hotelier Korbinian Kohler opened Gallery KOKO at his Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach in June 2025. Around 190 works by 19 emerging and established artists are on display. The inaugural exhibition was created in cooperation with MAX 33 & Friends, an initiative founded by art expert Peter JC Hansen . It was curated by Bettina Beckert (Head of Office Sotheby's Munich). Hotel guests can purchase the artworks directly from the exhibition. Art lovers who are not staying at the hotel are also warmly welcomed at Gallery KOKO @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach . On October 10, 2025, gallery owner Korbinian Kohler celebrated another premiere: In his KOKO Gallery @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach, he hosted Art Talk #1 , the first of many such events. Before 300 guests, including artist Matilde Romagnoli , who created the bronze monument in honor of Franz Beckenbauer at the Allianz Arena, former Minister Dr. Beate Merck with lawyer Christian Dennler, collector Christiane zu Salm , and actor Michael Brandner ("Hubert ohne Staller") with his wife Karin , among many others, the discussion focused on a central theme: the role of the gallery owner – for the artist, for the collector, and for society. Kohler secured two luminaries as his discussion partners, both intimately familiar with the art world for decades: Dr. Lisa Zeitz , editor-in-chief of WELTKUNST and KUNST UND AUKTIONEN , and Prof. Thomas Girst , author and cultural manager. "Art and the market belong together," explained Dr. Zeitz during the Art Talk. “A healthy art market is important. Art history exists because people have bought art over the centuries. I think that society should recognize even more what gallery owners do. With their dedication, with their belief in the artists they often support for years, even when they have no audience at all. That is a tremendous achievement by gallery owners.” “Art certainly has to do with the market and money,” adds Prof. Thomas Girst . “I find it appalling when students at art academies are encouraged by their professors to create art that isn't marketable. And these are professors who, as civil servants, earn high salaries. Their students are then released into unemployment because, demonstrably, only one in 100 can live off their art – and always thanks to a gallery.” “I am overjoyed that we are doing this,” says Korbinian Kohler about Gallery KOKO @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach. “We can support young artists and offer our guests something wonderful. We give them the opportunity to meet interesting, amazing people. Of the 190 pieces in our first exhibition, we've already sold a large portion. Most were taken home immediately by the buyers and replaced with new works. When selecting pieces, it's important to me that they reach the viewer on an emotional level. Art has to touch the soul; that's what matters most to me.” Dr. Lisa Zeitz: “Those who buy art live with it. You see it in the morning while drinking coffee, you see it when you come home tired from work, or when you get a glass of milk from the fridge at night and turn on the light. Here at the hotel, you can experience this life with art a little bit. How does that feel?” Korbinian Kohler: “Many of our guests are art enthusiasts. Here, they can see the art in their bathrobes on the way to the pool in the morning, after dinner, with their families. They can, so to speak, test-drive the artwork and thus gain a completely different perspective than would be possible in the white cube of a conventional gallery. The lightness of touch is very important to us. Our works are priced starting in the four-figure range. Our guests can treat themselves and say, ‘This is now an icon of our vacation.’” Prof. Thomas Girst: “For me, art fairs are like an art dating platform – swipe and go! They are not an ideal place to look at art in peace. It is telling that at fairs, where at the end of the day it's all about money, about a monetary transfer, both aspects are hardly mentioned. Works are ‘placed’ and not ‘bought.’ Therefore, it is particularly nice that in this gallery in the hotel, one can pause and perhaps arrive at a new insight in peace and quiet. Art is the product of a creative process that involves both the artist and the viewer. It must come from people – only then does it have something to say to other people. Only then can a deep engagement take place, something that the sociologist Hartmut Rosa calls ‘resonance.’” This was the subject of Art Talk #1 at the KOKO Gallery @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach , and an audience including Katharina Vossenkuhl (Director of the Goetz Collection), Dorothea Wahl (PIN), Daniela Hauck (Friends of Haus der Kunst), and Dr. Günther Engler (Friends of Haus der Kunst), Kim Kluehspies (Business Development Coordinator Christie's), investor Benedict Rodenstock with his wife Irmin, Veronika Rost (Philip Morris), Mirijam and Dr. Martin Mihalovits (Board Member of Kreissparkasse Miesbach-Tegernsee), Amrei Heyne (Artmapp art magazine and app), Stefan Wilke (Zeitverlag) with Patricia Rudigier , artist Karolina Vocke, designer Lola Paltinger , cultural manager Stan Hruz , art expert Michael Hatzl, Sabina Kraupa-Tuskany, Susanne Hermanski (Süddeutsche Zeitung), Beatrice von Thurn und Taxis , Georg Seitz (Actors Talk), Georg Gomolka (Bild München), Katrin Nikolaus (State Parliament correspondent for Bayerisches Landwirtschaftliches Wochenblatt), and the artists Vivienne Furtwängler, Feodora Hohenlohe, Suse Kohler, Jan Davidoff, and Sebastian Maas discussed many other exciting topics: - Where does the primal drive to create art come from? How important is the "sense of urgency" that the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan demands? The urge that drives artists – How does the German art market compare to the American one? Is the widespread opinion true that Americans buy with their hearts, Germans with their heads? – What is art? The eternal question with countless answers. Actor Michael Brandner (“Hubert ohne Staller”), an art collector, reveals his personal take on the subject over dinner at the Weissach-Stuben restaurant after the talk. Michael Brandner: “A good gallery owner helps keep the art market dynamic and attractive to everyone. I really appreciate that. There are people who recognize what touches other people. I never buy art speculating on an increase in value. If I perceive something as art, I couldn't care less whether it has any value for others. For me, art is in the eye of the beholder.” About Gallery KOKO @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach: The artists featured in the current exhibition at Gallery KOKO @ Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach featuring MAX 33 & Friends (until February 2026) include Andreas Zagler, Andrei Hancu, Charlie Koolhaas (daughter of the Dutch star architect Rem Koolhaas ), Christian Offman, Fabian Pfleger, Florian Noethe, Florian Tenk, Jan Davidoff, Jozua Gerrard, Matilde Romagnoli, Moritz Moll, Natacha Ivanova, Otto Solms, Pascal Koertel, Ruben Benjamin, Sebastian Maas, Sebastian Quast, Vivienne Furtwängler, and former Lüpertz student Suse Kohler . The exhibition was curated by Bettina Beckert (Head of Office Sotheby's Munich). The works were selected by art expert Peter JC Hansen , founder of the art initiative "Max 33 & Friends" and Chairman of the Board of the "Association for the Promotion of the Villa Stuck e. V." About the Bachmair Weissach Spa & Resort: The Bachmair Weissach Spa & Resort is a modern resort on Lake Tegernsee that combines timeless elegance with contemporary luxury. Condé Nast Traveller, one of the world's most prestigious travel magazines, awarded the resort its inaugural Wellness & Spa Award 2025. In the "Family Hideaway" category, the five-star resort on Lake Tegernsee was recognized as the best hotel in its class – for a unique concept that unites luxury, culture, nature, and family excellence at the highest level. With the award-winning MIZU ONSEN Spa, the unique Tegernsee Phantastisch experience, the resort with its own stream, a spacious and mature garden, a variety of restaurants, and exclusive annexes on the lake and on the Wallberg mountain, the resort offers guests from all over the world a multifaceted experience of the highest international standard. Free press photos available via the link: Art Talk at the KOKO Gallery in the HOTEL BACHMAIR WEISSACH in WEISSACH ROTTACH-EGERN on October 10, 2025. Photo credit: Michael Tinnefeld, API for Bachmair Weissach

Korbinian Kohler hosted a preview and opening reception for "Gallery KOKO @ BW featuring MAX 33 & Friends" at the "Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach" on June 26th and 27th, 2025. A new art experience for contemporary art on Lake Tegernsee! Hotelier Korbinian Kohler is now also a gallery owner – and celebrated the opening of his "Gallery KOKO" and the new gallery spaces at the "Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach" with 19 artists and numerous VIP guests, including Carl-Theodor Graf zu Toerring-Jettenbach and his wife Natacha Ivanova, Charlotte Gräfin von Oeynhausen, Beate Merk, Maximilian Böltl, and many more! Hotelier – and now also gallery owner! Korbinian Kohler , owner of the "Bachmair Weissach Group," is a true multi-entrepreneur. Art has long been one of his passions and has played a significant role in his businesses from the very beginning. Now Kohler has turned this passion into a profession: In June, he opened his first gallery, "Gallery KOKO," at his "Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach" on Lake Tegernsee – a completely new art experience featuring contemporary art in the heart of the Bavarian Alps on the beautiful Lake Tegernsee. Nineteen young and established artists are exhibiting their works there. The exhibition was curated by Bettina Beckert ("Head of Office Sotheby's Munich"). The works were selected by art expert Peter Hansen, founder of the art initiative "Max33 & Friends" and chairman of the board of the "Association for the Promotion of the Villa Stuck e. V." The new gallery was celebrated for two days: on Thursday with a preview under the patronage of Michael Buhrs ("Director of the Museum Villa Stuck, Munich") with a small, select group of guests, including Beatrice von Thurn und Taxis , the exhibiting artists, and Viktoria von Siemens . On Friday, the grand opening took place with guests including Countess Charlotte von Oeynhausen , politician Dr. Beate Merk , Viktoria Strehle , CSU politician Maximilian Böltl , as well as 300 other guests and numerous artists. "Three to four times a year, the 'Gallery KOKO' at the 'Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach' will host rotating exhibitions. The first and current series of exhibitions will run until November 2025," explained host Korbinian Kohler , who welcomed the guests. He stated that the gallery is a "new art experience for contemporary art" that should have a far-reaching impact beyond the Tegernsee Valley. With his new art concept, he aims to appeal not only to hotel guests and locals, but also to art lovers far beyond the borders of the Tegernsee Valley: “We are targeting art collectors, design and architecture enthusiasts, media professionals, and culture aficionados from all over Germany and the world. The ‘Bachmair Weissach’ has always been a cosmopolitan place. Now we also want to make art tangible here and bring guests, artists, and collectors into a vibrant dialogue.” How did the idea for the gallery come about, and where does Kohler’s love of art stem from? The father of four grew up on Lake Tegernsee, the son of the Kohler family, who run the world-famous Gmund paper mill. “I grew up surrounded by paper, the medium that forms the basis of so much art, thanks to the paper mill. So, in my childhood, it was primarily printed art that fascinated me. Later, when I lived in Paris for four years in my early twenties, I immersed myself in the Parisian art world for the first time. It happened by chance, as I was living in the apartment of an art collector. That's how I slipped into this art scene. The interest was already there. I then started bartering with artists: Gmund paper for artworks. Through my wife, Suse , my passion for art was rekindled, and we realized several art projects in the hotel that were very well received – including an exhibition series curated by Mon Müllerschön in 2019 featuring ‘Upcoming Artists’. Since we have the space here, the idea of ​​our own gallery was born.” He also explained the unique concept of the "Gallery KOKO": "Instead of the conventional and sterile 'white cube' concept, where art is presented on white walls, the 'Gallery KOKO' invites guests to experience art in its natural context: sensual, surprising, and directly embedded in the alpine architecture and nature." And so, the new art platform extends across several areas of the resort: from the lobby and spa corridors to the four garden pavilions and the sculpture garden. "A place for art with soul, which immerses you in a vibrant dialogue with creative diversity," Kohler succinctly summarized. "For our hotel guests, this means a unique experience: They vacation in a design-oriented spa and resort and pass by over 150 works of art every day. They can essentially 'vacation with art' – an immense experience that makes their stay even more unforgettable." Guests were able to discover the artworks during their tour of the exhibition. The artists represented in the current exhibition include Andreas Zagler, Andrei Hancu, Charlie Koolhaas (daughter of the Dutch star architect Rem Koolhaas ), Christian Offman, Fabian Pfleger, Florian Noethe, Florian Tenk, Jan Davidoff, Jozua Gerrard, Matilde Romagnoli, Moritz Moll, Natacha Ivanova, Otto Solms, Pascal Koertel, Ruben Benjamin, Sebastian Maas, Sebastian Quast, Vivienne Furtwängler, and Suse Kohler , a former student of Lüpertz. "What is being created here is unique in the world," praised Peter Hansen . "There is no other hotel in the world that simultaneously exhibits 200 works by artists, all of whom are academy students or graduates." One of them is the Munich sculptor Matilde Romagnoli , who is creating the bronze monument in honor of Franz Beckenbauer , which will be on display in the Allianz Arena. The artists spared no effort or effort: "For example, the South African artist Jozua Gerrard : He came to Munich specifically at the beginning of June to create his works." "I find it very courageous to transform a hotel into an art space in this way. Something very special has been created here at Lake Tegernsee," praised patron Michael Buhrs , the director of the Museum Villa Stuck in Munich, and gave visitors the following tip: "Keep your eyes open here!" "Exciting art meets life, meets reality: the hotel guests," praised Bettina Beckert ("Head of Office Sotheby's Munich"), who curated the exhibition. The guests were enthusiastic: "A concept that has never been seen before," praised Carl-Theodor Graf zu Toerring-Jettenbach . "A wonderful initiative that came about thanks to Korbinian Kohler and Peter Hansen and that definitely deserves support," said Viktoria von Siemens. South African artist Jozua Gerrard stayed with her during the preparations: "And he's become part of the family." "I think it's wonderful that there's now more on offer here at Lake Tegernsee than just the forest festivals," praised politician Dr. Beate Merk , who came to the event with her partner Christian Dennler . She was so impressed by the art that she immediately purchased a work by the artist Pascal Koertel : "I've already found a place for it at home," she said. "It's fantastic what Korbinian Kohler and Peter Hansen are doing for art here, especially in these rather difficult times," praised Countess Charlotte von Oeynhausen . "And the hotel is perfectly suited for it." "I'm delighted that we have a wonderful new art event here at the lake," praised Beatrice von Thurn und Taxis . "You can never have enough of them. And I have high expectations for Korbinian Kohler." “It’s fantastic that students are being brought out of the academy and given a platform, thus making them visible,” said David Ziersch (from the founding family of Villa Stuck). “Something like this was missing until now, and it requires private commitment.” Art and culture have been integral to Kohler ’s philosophy from the very beginning. He always dreamed of establishing Lake Tegernsee as a top, family-friendly destination in global tourism – and never forgot his Tegernsee roots and “the cozy hours spent by the tiled stove of his childhood,” as he recounted. For his “Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach,” he developed a unique concept based on four pillars that go far beyond the conventional understanding of the hotel industry. It’s not just aesthetics and multi-generational offerings that define the resort, but also a deep appreciation for philosophy and art, as well as the opportunity to experience Lake Tegernsee holistically – through the numerous restaurants and annexes around the lake and on the Wallberg mountain. Korbinian Kohler , a passionate local patriot, has always had a clear goal: to further connect Lake Tegernsee, Germany's number one luxury leisure region, to the international scene. Now, this extends to art, which, like culture, has always played a significant role at the "Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach"—whether through previous exhibitions or his "Korbinian's College" lecture series on current topics. Now he's taking art to a new level: with the founding of "Gallery KOKO," Kohler is adding a cultural dimension to his portfolio. As the gallery's owner, he's realizing his vision of making art a tangible experience and fostering a vibrant dialogue between guests, artists, and collectors. This also delighted the other guests, including Michael Beck (Olaf Gulbransson Museum), Korbinian and Suse Kohler's children Ferdinand, Benedikt and Marlies Kohler , Daniela Giller (Magari International), Larsen Hilbertz (Perrier-Jouët Champagne), artist Ilse Mittermeier , entrepreneur Dominic von Proeck , art historian Wolfgang Zaeh , model and presenter Nina Meise , and many more. Free images available at the link: https://www.picdrop.com/traneric/iFAXfuCd1K Photo credit: Eric Tran for Bachmair Weissach