Brevity, flux, transformation—captured moments in the swift passage of time, the exhibition ‘Ephemeral Imprints’ celebrates the transient beauty and fleeting nature of existence. Inspired by Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s evocative poem “Early Spring,” this exhibition delves into the ephemeral qualities of life, capturing the fleeting imprints that shape our experiences.

“Early Spring” encapsulates the essence of transformation and renewal brought by the spring wind, symbolising a shift from the old to the new. This theme resonates with the concept of “Ephemeral Imprints,” where transient moments of beauty and change are captured and preserved through art.

The exhibition explores how fleeting experiences, emotions, and memories are immortalised by artists, reflecting the continuous cycle of renewal and the transient nature of existence.

Early Spring by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

The spring wind runs Through leafless alleys,

Strange things are In its blowing.

It rocked itself, Where there were tears, And nestled into Ruined hair.

It shook down Acacia blossoms And cooled limbs That breathed and burned.

It has touched Lips in laughter, Burrowed through soft And stirring fields.

It slid through the flute, A sobbing cry, Flew past Darkening dusk.

It flew in silence Through whispering rooms And, bending, extinguished The glow of the lamp.

The spring wind runs Through leafless alleys, Strange things are In its blowing.

Through smooth Leafless alleys Its blowing chases Pale shadows.

And the fragrance It has brought From where it has come Since last night.

Influence and Inspiration

Cole-Levi Klimt Gallery, named after Henry Cole, the cultural Levites, and Gustav Klimt, draws inspiration from their contributions to art and culture. The Vienna Secession, co-founded by Klimt in 1897, promoted modernist art, echoed in Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s literary work. For our “Ephemeral Imprints” exhibition, Hofmannsthal’s poem “Early Spring” encapsulates t ransient beauty, aligning with our aim to reflect life’s impermanence and resonating with the ethos of the Vienna Secession.