Exhibition about Edith Stein on the 80th anniversary of his death
Innsbruck, July 15th, 2022 (KAP) Edith Stein – canonized philosopher and mystic, Jewess and Christian nun, women’s rights activist and victim of the Shoah – is the focus of an exhibition from August 10th to December 11th in the Museum Stift Stams on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of her death. The local Cistercian abbey, the Ecclesiastical University of Education (KPH) Edith Stein, named after the martyr, and the diocese of Innsbruck are thus implementing a suggestion made by the art historian and bishop Hermann Glettler. With contemporary works from galleries and museums across Europe, from Antwerp to Berlin and Barcelona to Vienna, curator Hubert Salden spans an arc of female mysticism from the Middle Ages to the present day.
As the Diocese of Innsbruck reports on its website, according to Salden, the artistic works take up social aspects of society today and their echo in Edith Stein’s lifetime, as well as the “possibilities of the visual as an expression of the spiritual in a pluralistic society characterized by diversity “. Bishop Glettler, looking at the exhibits by artists such as the stateless action artist Gustav Metzger or the two Tyrolean artists Thomas Riess and Franz Wassermann, explained: “It is precisely the many facets of Edith Stein’s personality that invite you to open yourself up to new, unusual perspectives. “
The Stams abbot German Erd and Bishop Glettler are equally convinced that the church can pursue the urgent task of new evangelization, especially in a serious dialogue with contemporary art: “As a church, we must not say goodbye to the present and only look backwards to the traditional heritage”, quotes the diocesan website. Contemporary art is an inspiration and a mission to try to convey the Christian faith authentically with a critical view of the present. Art and faith stand for an “ancient, not always conflict-free, but definitely inspiring fraternity”.
According to KPH rector Petra Steinmair-Pösel, such a present-day open access to faith and religion “at best creates an openness that also reaches young people and students”. Glettler, Erd and Steinmair-Pösel are impressed by the fact that students and teachers at KPH Edith Stein in particular are taking part with an informative tour of the life and work of Edith Stein in the new cloister of the monastery.
The show will open with around 30 exhibits on August 9, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the Museum Stift Stams, before that a festive service will be celebrated at 5 p.m. in the monastery basilica. The opening times are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays and public holidays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.