On May 16th, 2015 the 23rd annual Life Ball took place inside and in front of the Vienna City Hall. The annual event draws attention to the medical and social consequences of HIV/AIDS in order to raise vital funds for the projects supported by AIDS LIFE.
Life Ball 2015 Brings Klimt Art To Life
The large fundraiser is a multi-day event complete with star-studded luncheon’s galas, costume shows and auction.
This year the ancient Roman spring festival “Ver Sacrum” served as the inspiration with the theme of GOLD.
Protagonists and figures like those that were painted and embodied by the Vienna Secessionists, Gustave Klimt in particular, were brought to life with makeup, costumes and sets for the event.
“Breaking out of old ways and advancing one’s own individuality and self-determination; this was the core idea of the Viennese Secessionists. The values of the avant-garde movement thus form a wonderful metaphor for the Life Ball, which has fought from its inception both for active steps towards health and for a conscious confrontation with and the overcoming of social barriers, taboos and stigmas,” as Gery Keszler explained the choice of theme.
The Beethoven Frieze
The Beethoven frieze (which is shown above in its entirety in Vienna) by Gustave Klimt is a centerpiece of the Viennese Art Nouveau movement and serves as a metaphor for the Life Ball.
A detail from the original Beethoven Frieze, 1902, by Gustave Klimt:
The image above, reenacted with live models for the Life Ball:
Details of the above image:
Another section of the original frieze recreated for the event:
Original:
and the above re-created with live models:
And yet another detail from Klimt’s original frieze depicting man’s search of happiness.:
and the re-creation of the above:
detail:
And the final wall of the original frieze:
and the re-creation of the above:
This piece was a central artwork of the set and was captured in these beautiful photos by Inge Prader.
Death and Life
Another piece by Klimt, Death and Life (1907), was also recreated with live models:
The re-creation:
details:
The Style Bible
The Style Bible, which serves as an inspiration and guide for the ball guests, also presents itself according to Ver Sacrum: shimmering in gold and lavishly designed. The images in it are also recreations of paintings by Klimt and were also photographed by Inge Prader.
Danaë by Gustave Klimt:
The re-creation:
Hygieia:
detail:
The Golden Fleece:
Mars and Sacrani:
detail:
King Midas
detail:
Flora and Pan:
detail:
The series of paintings interpreted by photographer Inge Prader is presented on six of eight postcards. In addition to the frieze, the cards were also printed with the Life Ball version of the first poster of the Vienna Secessionists and the “Mars and Sacrani” subject in “Secessionist red”, both also photographed by Inge Prader.
You can get this artistic postcard set for a minimum donation of 8 Euros, 100% of which goes to AIDS LIFE.
Worth noting is the poster featuring Conchita Wurst as Klimt’s Adele photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth which was used to promote the event and as the cover of the catalog:
Although the Life Ball has passed and the auction has ended, you can support the Life Ball by purchasing mementos and objects from the event here including these bizarre bean bag chairs featuring Inge Prader’s photos (sorry, no longer available):
all images in this post are courtesy of Life Ball, From Austria and Wikipedia