Livepainting in a Museum and my perspective on how culture should be passed on

I was invited by Verein Hofkultur and the Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum to move my atelier to their wonderful patio for a day, where I started to work on a brand new painting. Surrounded by the very source of tyrolean history I was inspired to create my perspective on how culture should be passed on. But first,

Let’s look into the process

I've enjoyed a private tour through the museum and was amazed by the cultural treasure they have collected. From ancient living rooms called ”Stuben” to an exhibition showing the full circle of life as a tyrolean through all the 4 seasons that is accompanied by traditions that help to cope with life and time, as I would phraze it.

For the painting I decided to pick one of my favourite traditions: The Fasnacht.

The Fasnacht is a colorful masked parade with hand-carved wooden masks, elaborate costumes, music, and dancing, meant to chase away winter and welcome spring. It is a truly one of a kind and special experience to witness the costumes and the movements of the figures and I am glad it is still practised.

The Fasnacht is in sharp critics as traditionally only men are allowed to participate and women are excluded from wearing the costumes.

How culture should be passed on

To protect our cultural heritage we have to be aware that the world is changing over time. This is often hard to accept, especially when it comes to traditions that have been practised “always like that and thus should proceed in the same way”.

I am portraying the new and inclusive way.

People change, though the heart for the traditions is shared. So let’s share the heart as only the heart should be the constant denominator. And it would be devastating to completely loose the ancient wisdom because we are attached too strong on what was instead of focusing on what is.

This painting is in process and can be purchased when it is finished.

For interest, please write to studio@lileeimperator.com

Photos: Thomas Kigle