the veil

 

The Veil (Walpurgisnacht), 2026, reimagines the festivity of Walpurgis, told from the perspective of the Brocken or Blocksberg mountain. The story gives voice to the mountain as an age-old, living force. Once a year, it draws all creatures into a sultry celebration, embedding its magic into trees, homes, and dreams.

The presentation reflects the geology, mythology and architecture of the Harz region. Motifs from Goslar and the Brocken, such as historical ornaments, woodcarvings and hybrid creatures, are layered into complex structures. Landscape engravings by Wilhelm Ripe serve as references, as do ribbons and bands, which allude to the Irish festival of Beltane marking the beginning of summer and its creative natural energy.

The Veil (Walpurgisnacht), 2026, is an installation and performative reading, presented at the Mönchehaus Museum and in Goslar Municipal Forest.

The Veil (Walpurgis), 2026, Installation, performative reading and Edition of three drawings available through Mönchehaus Museum Goslar, Pastel chalk and Polychromos coloured pencils on drawing paper, hand dyed cotton, shells and copper studs.

The work was developed for Walpurgisnacht, a themed program of talks, readings, performances, concerts, and film screenings at the Mönchehaus Museum Goslar on April 30th 2026 and presented at the Mönchehaus Museum and in Goslar Municipal Forest.

For Walpurgis Night, from April 30 to May 1, 2026, the Skulpturengarten at the Mönchehaus Museum Goslar and the neighboring forest will host a themed program of talks, readings, performances, concerts, and film screenings as part of the exhibition. Participating artists and authors include Ilka Becker, Paula Erstmann, Nora Hansen, Bubu Ogisi, and Mark von Schlegell. The program connects historical themes of the Harz region—mythological tales, magic, traditional customs, and the violent history of witch trials—with a critical and queer-feminist perspective.

Curated by Miriam Bettin