Vegan, fit, green — what might sound like modern trends are actually lifestyles that followers of the life reform movement were leading over 100 years ago with the goal of living a healthy life and creating a better world. Around the turn of the twentieth century, the first health food stores (Reformhaus) opened in Switzerland, and people began soaking up the sun in light and air baths and growing their own vegetables. Expressionist dancers, anarchists and artists experimented with alternative forms of living, such as the community at Monte Verità near Ascona.

This exhibition follows the history of the life reform movement and gives a fascinating insight into its achieve­ ments — and its dark side — from its beginnings up to the present day.

An exhibition by the Bernisches Historisches Museum and the University of Fribourg.