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An evening of spirits and arts: fundraising at the Leopold Museum
On September 17, 2025, a fundraising dinner took place in the Leopold Museum under the motto "New Spirits", which discussed reform efforts around 1900.
An evening of spirits and arts: fundraising at the Leopold Museum
On September 17, 2025 took place in Leopold Museum an atmospheric fundraising dinner took place under the motto “New Spirits. Zeitgeist of Modernity”. The directors Hans-Peter Wipplinger and Moritz Stipsicz invited people to an evening that was dedicated to reform efforts and occult movements around 1900. The event also provided a platform for the Wiesenthal sisters, who presented the new dance style of expressive dance.
The accompanying exhibition "Hidden Modernity. Fascination of the Occult around 1900" can be seen in the Leopold Museum from September 4th to January 18th, 2026 and focuses on spirituality and art in Vienna during the gymnastics period around 1900. The show focuses on topics such as theosophy and conjuring of spirits as well as new approaches to life that emerged as a reaction to the social changes and materialism of industrialized society. MWQ reports.
A new cultural era
The exhibition reflects a criticism of traditional Christian religious practices and a growing interest in Far Eastern redemption scenarios. This is also expressed in the cult of the body, mountaineering, vegetarianism and a clothing reform, which are seen as symptoms of an ethical revolution. Artists such as Richard Wagner and Friedrich Nietzsche had a significant influence on cultural life in Vienna and contributed to the development of these new streams of thought.
Although Vienna was not a center of occultism, theosophy found its way into vegetarian circles of Viennese intellectuals. Friedrich Eckstein, a protagonist of this movement, had connections to outstanding personalities such as Gustav Mahler and Rudolf Steiner, which further enriched the cultural and historical environment.
Initiator of the art world
Artistic impulses from Edvard Munch, the discovery of OD rays and X-rays as well as new forms of expression in dance allowed the artists to design their work in innovative ways. Talents such as Richard Gerstl, Arnold Schönberg, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka saw the world of art in new, often mystical dimensions and strived to realize the ideal of the total work of art.
The exhibition presents several important artists, including Gustinus Ambrosi, Josef Maria Eder and Franz Xaver Setzer, all of whom made a significant contribution to the development of the Austrian art scene. In addition, medieval visions and magical thinking were treated as dark aspects of the time, which contributes to a critical reflection of the present. Art in Words highlights.
The event also included a raffle to support museological tasks, with exciting prizes such as an Akris Handle Tote, diamond earrings and a work of art by Hermann Nitsch up for grabs. Around 320 guests from business and culture, including prominent personalities such as Alexander Schallenberg and Josef Ostermayer as well as well-known artists such as Xenia Hausner and Erwin Bohatsch, came together to celebrate this special evening.