Art Dinner with Maria Köfler: Art, Conversation & Culinary Excellence
In a recent evening of art and connection, The Line Up had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive art experience that brought together art, conversation, and gastronomy in a uniquely curated setting. The evening unfolded in a private, carefully chosen location, hand-picked not only for its atmosphere but also for its ability to create an intimate space where refined aesthetics, calm surroundings, and a sense of exclusivity provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful connections among art enthusiasts, collectors, and creatives.
An Artist Talk with Maria Köfler
The evening opened with an Artist Talk featuring Maria Köfler, curated by Maria-Anna Messner-Haidenthaler, founder of The Line Up. Guests were invited to immerse themselves in Köfler’s artistic world as she shared her inspirations, artistic journey, and the nuances behind her works.
Photo courtesy of VURORE Studio
“Maria Köfler’s primary artistic medium is drawing. She works on paper with ink, pencil, ballpoint pen, felt-tip, red chalk, chalk, and crayon, to create a surreal, bizarre pictorial world whose complexity defies clear legibility. Based on personal experiences and observations, Köfler transfers social themes such as “eating and being eaten”, greed and fear, fairness and justice to the animal world to reflect human sensitivities on a symbolically charged level. Delicately drawn insects and critters such as flies, mantises, or slugs populate her works and interact against abstractly painted backgrounds. The viewer shudders at fragmented body parts and heads with disturbed, distorted facial expressions; elaborately designed ornaments allude to the traditions of art and craft and remind us of art nouveau-like tendril and frame elements. At the same time, contemporary motifs and symbols of our multimedia reality are repeatedly interspersed. Köfler wants to tell ambiguous stories. She plays with (pre)judgments, visual habits, and contradictions. The gruesome mixes with the decorative; sketch-like elements contrast with hyper-realist drawings. But the seemingly unpleasant animals can also be useful – aesthetically repulsive at first glance but beautiful if viewed from a different angle.”
A Culinary Experience by a Private Chef
Following the artist talk, the evening transitioned into a Flying Dinner prepared by a private chef. A curated selection of seasonal dishes was served, each reflecting a philosophy of mindful cooking with an emphasis on freshness, balance, and intention. Guests were invited to enjoy creations that combined refinement with a grounded, thoughtful approach to gastronomy.
The flowing dining style encouraged dialogue in a relaxed setting, while the surrounding atmosphere—characterized by natural materials and grounded elegance—amplified the experience. The combination of art and fine dining created a holistic encounter, stimulating both conversation and the senses.
Beyond the Gallery
At The Line Up, we are passionate about curating experiences where art extends beyond traditional spaces. This evening in Innsbruck, Austria, was designed to blur the boundaries between art and everyday life, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between artist and audience while engaging all the senses.
If you are interested in experiencing a similarly curated event or learning more about The Line Up’s bespoke art services, we invite you to get in touch with us to explore possibilities tailored to your vision.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Maria Köfler and to everyone who joined us for this exceptional evening.
