Rudolf Steiner - Alchemy of the Everyday

13.05.2010 - 03.10.2010

Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, Hollerplatz 1 38440, Wolfsburg , Germany

Within this initial context, it becomes evident that Steiner's artistic work was influenced by Art Nouveau as well as Cubism and Expressionism, and that many of his thoughts were also propagated by other advocates of the Lebensreform movement around 1900. The second section of the exhibition demonstrates how Steiner distilled a completely new everyday aesthetic from this social and cultural environment. Based on many years of work as a Goethe scholar, he developed the principle of metamorphosis in architecture and design, applied further ideas from Goethe to his own colour theory, and originated the new artistic dance form of eurythmics. In a third and final section, the exhibition shows how Steiner implemented his thoughts on reform in concrete aspects of daily life, striving for a connection between art and life, which Joseph Beuys later referred to as "social sculpture".

In its view of the work and influence of Steiner, the exhibition also takes note of the criticism he has received - whether in connection with Waldorf pedagogy or the belief in a "spiritual world". Above all, however, the exhibition allows Steiner's works to speak for themselves, thereby enabling visitors to form their own opinions with the help of relevant background information. For this purpose, the Vitra Design Museum has assembled an unprecedented collection of artefacts, including 45 pieces of furniture, 46 models, 18 sculptures, over 100 original drawings and plans, as well as dozens of additional documents ranging from posters to letters written to Steiner by Franz Kafka, Piet Mondrian, Richard Neutra and Else Lasker-Schuler.