With the eyes in the sky
by Francesco Butturini

Two images come to mind when I think of Josef Kostner’s works: his slight, yet penetrating grin and the landscape that seems to be born of that grin. They are two apparently distant existential facts, which are actually deeply permeated with each other, because in order to understand his sculpture and graphic art, you have to understand the time and situation in which the sculpture and graphic art where created.
They seem to be the fruit of desperation, or of a dark vision of the world, pervaded with hostile mysteries, deformed shapes that have emerged from their inner selves, fears and anxieties.
But none of this is true.
Kostner’s sculpture and graphic art are the fruit of a knowing vision of the world and life, of a subtle and ironic attention that acknowledges the roughness of everyday existence and life. They are not expressions of the fear of it and do not turn daily life away, with its anxieties, expectations, pain and joy. They accept everything with the wisdom of time and memory, which cancels nothing and mitigates everything.

Exhibitions:

1960   Galleria Ruscel, Ortisei
1965   Galleria Goethe, Bolzano
          Galleria Selene, Cortina d`Ampezzo
1968   Galleria Domenicani, Bolzano
          Galleria Ruscel, Ortisei
1974   Mostra d`Ert, Ortisei
1981   Galleria Willi, Vilpian
1983   Galleria Domenicani, Bolzano
1994   Galleria Prisma, Bolzano
           Itituto Culturale Micurà de Rü, S. Martino Badia
1995   Galleria Ghelfi, Verona
1996   Albergo Tirol, Val di Funes
1999   Museo Statale, Chiusa
2000   Galleria Prisma, Bolzano
          Tiroler Kunstpavillion, Innsbruck
          Galleria am Gries, Lana
2001   Galleria Volksbank, Merano
2002   Kaiserliche Hofburg, Innsbruck
          Galerie im Kies, Altach – Feldkirch
2005   Museo Gipsoteca Canova, Possagno (Ala Nuova e Parco)
2008   Atelier im Kärrnerwaldele, Landeck
2009   Digart, Ortisei
2010   Circolo Artistico, Ortisei
          Presentazione della monografia Digart,Ortisei
          Galeria Prisma, Bolzano “Lebenswege”
          Mostra scultorea Pasqua a Campo di Brenzone sul Garda
          Galeria Ghelfi, Verona
2011   Labyrinthgarten Kränzelhof, Tscherms “Moti dell’anima”
          Ragenhaus, Bruneck “Köpfe und sture Köpfe”
          Natale a Campo di Brenzone sul Garda
2012   Galerie Maier Innsbruck “Primitivismus und Moderne”
          Galerie Maier Innsbruck „Josef Kostner Skulpturen“
          Galerie Pizzinini S. Kassian “L’ëila,cuer y ana”
          Kunst Meran Fußgängerzone Meran Homage an Josef Kostner
          Natale a Campo di Brenzone sul Garda
2013   Fussgängerzone St. Ulrich zum 80. Geburtstag
          Galerie Maier Innsbruck zum 80. Geburtstag
2015   Galleria Spazio 6 Verona
2016   Hotel La Perla Corvara Badia
2018   Südtiroler Künstlerbund Retrospektive
2018   Circolo culturale Ortisei Josef Kostner “Peccati”
2018   Albergo Posta Marcucci Bagno Vignoni Toscana
2019/20 Isera/Rovereto Palast de Probizer

 

Request information
 - Josef Kostner_Scioglimento dell'epoca_h93 cm_1968
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Scioglimento dell'epoca_h93 cm_1968
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 - Josef Kostner_Strisciando_h26x75x22 cm_1969_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Strisciando_h26x75x22 cm_1969_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Meisules_h 57x78x31 cm_1970_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Meisules_h 57x78x31 cm_1970_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Forma Vegetativa_h 105 cm_1969_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Forma Vegetativa_h 105 cm_1969_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Gonnella_h 99x29x24 cm_1969_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Gonnella_h 99x29x24 cm_1969_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Unione_h113x25x31 cm_1960_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Unione_h113x25x31 cm_1960_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Relazione_h125x55x31 cm_1971_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Relazione_h125x55x31 cm_1971_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_voglia di comunicare_h 62x73x13 cm_1966_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_voglia di comunicare_h 62x73x13 cm_1966_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Crescita_h102x26x26 cm_1968_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Crescita_h102x26x26 cm_1968_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_lanciata_1968_h95x27x28 cm_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_lanciata_1968_h95x27x28 cm_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Estensione_h79 54x23 cm_1968_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Estensione_h79 54x23 cm_1968_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_maternitá consumata_h75x23x27 cm_1967_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_maternitá consumata_h75x23x27 cm_1967_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_left_Donna Ferita_h96cm_1969 - right_Figura Spezzata_h 95cm_1969_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_left_Donna Ferita_h96cm_1969 - right_Figura Spezzata_h 95cm_1969_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Considerazione_25x36 cm_1972_ink on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Considerazione_25x36 cm_1972_ink on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_mettersi in scena_38x50 cm_1971_ink on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_mettersi in scena_38x50 cm_1971_ink on paper
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 - Josef Kostner - left_Elmo_h62cm_1972 - right_Egiziana_h73cm_1972_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner - left_Elmo_h62cm_1972 - right_Egiziana_h73cm_1972_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_left_Gonfiore_h36x48x30 cm_1974 - right_Tondeggiata_h37x64x30 cm_1974_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_left_Gonfiore_h36x48x30 cm_1974 - right_Tondeggiata_h37x64x30 cm_1974_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Protesi_h55cm_1972_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Protesi_h55cm_1972_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_repressione_1973_h30x45x58 cm_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_repressione_1973_h30x45x58 cm_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Estensione Soffocata_h63x35x33 cm_1972_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Estensione Soffocata_h63x35x33 cm_1972_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_esitare austeritá_h45x20x23 cm_1977_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_esitare austeritá_h45x20x23 cm_1977_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Orgoglio Materno_h66x30x35 cm_1978_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Orgoglio Materno_h66x30x35 cm_1978_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Sfinge_50x40 cm_1971_ink/water color on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Sfinge_50x40 cm_1971_ink/water color on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_Innamorati_50x40 cm_1973_ink/water color on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Innamorati_50x40 cm_1973_ink/water color on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_Quiete_h 45 cm_1972_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Quiete_h 45 cm_1972_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Riaversi_h35x55x20 cm_1971_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Riaversi_h35x55x20 cm_1971_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_esitare l'austeritá_h45x20x23 cm_1977_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_esitare l'austeritá_h45x20x23 cm_1977_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Sopportare in silenzio_h45x35x20 cm_1975_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Sopportare in silenzio_h45x35x20 cm_1975_Bronze
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 - Miniature 70s years  left h8 11,5x5 - right h7,5 15,5x5
Josef Kostner Miniature 70s years left h8 11,5x5 - right h7,5 15,5x5
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 - Miniature 70s years left h10,5 10x7 - right h6 18x7
Josef Kostner Miniature 70s years left h10,5 10x7 - right h6 18x7
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 - Miniatures 70s years left h12 7,5x6,5 - right h11 18,5x7
Josef Kostner Miniatures 70s years left h12 7,5x6,5 - right h11 18,5x7
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 - Josef Kostner_Accettazione_h37x20x18 cm_1971_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Accettazione_h37x20x18 cm_1971_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Penso al domani_1971_30x30x18cm_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Penso al domani_1971_30x30x18cm_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Rilassata_h 68 cm_1973_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Rilassata_h 68 cm_1973_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_rassodata in terra_h35x40x18 cm_1971_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_rassodata in terra_h35x40x18 cm_1971_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Crollata_h62x86x52 cm_1977_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Crollata_h62x86x52 cm_1977_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Apollo_h87x26x29 cm_1977_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Apollo_h87x26x29 cm_1977_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Eva_h 106 cm_1988_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Eva_h 106 cm_1988_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Speranza Riposta_h119x32x34 cm_1977_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Speranza Riposta_h119x32x34 cm_1977_Bronze
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 - speranza svelata 1976  h116 33x30
Josef Kostner speranza svelata 1976 h116 33x30
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 - Josef Kostner_Crollato_h41x92x36 cm_1970_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Crollato_h41x92x36 cm_1970_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_svincolarsi da una condizone_50x70 cm_ 90s_ink/water color on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_svincolarsi da una condizone_50x70 cm_ 90s_ink/water color on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_Distrutta_50 x 70 cm_ca.2000_chalk drawing/ink on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Distrutta_50 x 70 cm_ca.2000_chalk drawing/ink on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_left_Ispirata_h67 cm_1992 - right_Pensosa_h75 cm_1992_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_left_Ispirata_h67 cm_1992 - right_Pensosa_h75 cm_1992_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Accettazione_h 68 40x43 cm_1992_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Accettazione_h 68 40x43 cm_1992_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Homage a Claudia_h73 46x30 cm_1994_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Homage a Claudia_h73 46x30 cm_1994_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_scoprirsi il capo_h43 51x29 cm_1986_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_scoprirsi il capo_h43 51x29 cm_1986_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Ferito_h42x91x37 cm_1994_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Ferito_h42x91x37 cm_1994_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Disperata_50 x 70 cm_1998_chalk drawing/ink on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Disperata_50 x 70 cm_1998_chalk drawing/ink on paper
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 - Infiammata - chalk drawing/ink 50 x 70 cm 2009
Josef Kostner Infiammata - chalk drawing/ink 50 x 70 cm 2009
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 - Josef Kostner_Colmo_h116x43x32 cm_1980_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Colmo_h116x43x32 cm_1980_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Arrivato_h 114 cm_1995_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Arrivato_h 114 cm_1995_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Eroe_h 120 cm_1990_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Eroe_h 120 cm_1990_Bronze
Purchase details
 - Josef Kostner_left_Futuro Difficile_h115 cm_1996 - right_Incertezza del Futuro_113 cm_1996_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_left_Futuro Difficile_h115 cm_1996 - right_Incertezza del Futuro_113 cm_1996_Bronze
Purchase details
 - Josef Kostner_Senza Obiezione_h119x31x36 cm_1993_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Senza Obiezione_h119x31x36 cm_1993_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Esporsi_h82x28x34 cm_1986_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Esporsi_h82x28x34 cm_1986_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Contemplazione_42x56 cm_ca.2000_charcoal/watercolor on paper
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Contemplazione_42x56 cm_ca.2000_charcoal/watercolor on paper
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 - Josef Kostner_Maddalena_1971_h 41 cm_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Maddalena_1971_h 41 cm_Bronze
Purchase details
 - Josef Kostner_left_Testa Rassegnata_h49 cm_1992 - right_Riflessione_h62 cm_1992_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_left_Testa Rassegnata_h49 cm_1992 - right_Riflessione_h62 cm_1992_Bronze
Purchase details
 - Josef Kostner_Ponderazione_h39 22x25 cm_1988_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Ponderazione_h39 22x25 cm_1988_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Riflessione_h 62cm_1992_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Riflessione_h 62cm_1992_Bronze
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 - Josef Kostner_Attenzione_h38 26x26 cm_1993_Bronze
Josef Kostner Josef Kostner_Attenzione_h38 26x26 cm_1993_Bronze
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