Englische Beiträge

Concept for the Development of a Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein

Association for the Promotion of Research on the Löwenstein Brothers‘ Biographies and Lifework (Löwenstein Research Association), Mössingen

Preliminary Note

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Artur and Felix Löwenstein’s founding of the innovative textile company Pausa, and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar (Bauhaus), the Löwenstein Research Association, Mössingen established the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ in cooperation with the Löwenstein family descendants and partners from the Mössingen area on July 28, 2019.

This will take place ten years after members of the Löwenstein family came to Mössingen again for the first time, on July 22, 2009, following the joint invitation of the Löwenstein Research Association and the City of Mössingen – 73 years after the forced expropriation of the Löwenstein’s Pausa Company and the family’s expulsion in late 1936.

The Artur and Felix Löwenstein Research and Archive Centre has been housed in two rooms of the Old Town Hall in Mössingen (Rathof 2) since July 2019. We would like to thank the town of Mössingen for providing the rooms and for their support.

Concept for the Development of a Research and Archive Center
Artur and Felix Löwenstein: Starting Point

With this concept, the Löwenstein Research Association acts on a joint appeal that was signed in 2013 by 39 descendants of the Löwenstein family and around one hundred citizens of the region of Mössingen.

The Löwenstein Research Association took the initiative for this appeal, text as follows:

100 Years of the Pausa Company (1919 – 2019)
Joint symbolic declaration of intent for the establishment of an
“Artur and Felix Löwenstein Research and Archive Center”

In order to commemorate the extraordinary lifework and personal history of the Jewish founders of Mössingen’s innovative textile firm Pausa, Artur (1886 – 1959) and Flora (1893 – 1993) Löwenstein as well as Felix (1884 – 1946) and Helene (1894 – 1962) Löwenstein, and to keep alive their memory, the undersigning descendants and numerous friends in Mössingen declare their support for the establishment of an “Artur and Felix Löwenstein Research and Archive Center” in Mössingen. The Löwenstein Research Association Mössingen will be one of the supporting organisations. Once established, the “Artur and Felix Löwenstein Research and Archive Center” will focus on the following subjects:

  1. Research on the Pausa founders‘ corporate, artistic and cultural activities in the 1920s and 1930s, the contacts to the “Werkbund” and other artistic groups,
  2. Research on the connections between the Löwenstein’s Pausa as a “Bauhaus” production site and the “Bauhaus” locations Weimar, Dessau and Berlin, with special emphasis on Ljuba Monastirskaja’s und Lisbeth Oestreicher’s professional careers,
  3. Research on the expropriation and forced “aryanisation” of the Pausa Company by the National Socialists, research on the committed injustices with the goal of dealing and coming to terms with them,
  4. Professional support for the facilitation of the dialogue between the descendants of Artur and Felix Löwenstein and the city of Mössingen,
  5. Research on the relationship between the Pausa founders and the family of Adolph Lowe und Bea Lowe, neé Löwenstein,
  6. Research on the historical impact of Artur und Felix Löwenstein’s lifework,
  7. Establishment and maintenance of an archive for every type of documents; providing the archived resources for researchers, students, the media, schools, and other interested parties.

With the “Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein”, an international working level and a “Löwenstein Network” shall be created. This yet to be established Research Center shall present its results on the occasion of the common centennial of the founding of the Pausa Company and the founding of the Bauhaus in 2019.

Mössingen, in the year of Flora Löwenstein’s 120th birthday, 2013

Signatories of this Declaration of Intent, 39 descendants of Artur and Felix Löwenstein and their families:

  • Doris Angel, MBE JP, Manchester (daughter of Helene und Felix Löwenstein),
  • Harold Livingston, London (Flora und Artur Löwenstein’s son),
  • Ann Angel, Manchester (daughter of Doris Angel), her husband Paul Fertig, PhD, and sons Ilan Fertig and Yuval Fertig,
  • Sarah Angel, London (daughter of Doris Angel), her husband, Prof. Anthony Paxton, and their children Zoe Angel, Adam Paxton und Alfie Paxton,
  • Jacqueline Cowley, New York (Harold Livingston’s daughter), her husband Alex Cowley and her son Neil and her daughter Emma Cowley,
  • Ashley Vincent Livingston, Basingstoke (Harold Livingston’s son), his wife Pupe Livingston and their daughter Paula Livingston,
  • Ronnie Jacob, London (son of Harold Löwenstein’s sister Lilo), and his wife Philippa Jacob,
  • Anita Poulman, London (Lilo Löwenstein’s daughter), her husband Stelios Poulman and their sons Andreas Poulman and Carl Poulman,
  • Catherine Lustig-Radt, Hamburg (grand-daughter of Adolph Lowe and Beatrice Löwenstein, Felix and Artur Löwenstein’s sister), her husband, Ulrich Radt, and their daughters Susanne and Eva Radt,
  • Sandra Lustig, Hamburg (grand-daughter of Adolph Lowe and Beatrice Löwenstein, Felix and Artur Löwenstein’s sister), and her husband Alex Radziewski,
  • Roger Lustig, Princeton, (grandson of Adolph Lowe and Beatrice Löwenstein, Felix and Artur Löwenstein’s sister) and his wife, Juliet Beier,
  • Stephen Rustow, New York (grandson of Adolph Lowe and Beatrice Löwenstein), his wife Caroline Voss, and their daughters Daphne Rustow and Ada Rustow,
  • David Steinhardt, grandson of Paul Löwenstein (Felix and Artur Löwenstein’s brother), and his wife Elaine Steinhardt,
  • Felix Loewenstein, Bariloche, Argentina (grandson of Walter Löwenstein, Felix and Artur’s brother).

In addition, more than 100 citizens of Mössingen and the region signed this document.

Mössingen, July 22nd, 2016

Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein

Preliminary remarks

The now agreed concept was preceded by several working sessions, workshops, expert consultations, discussions and international communications. With the support of the “Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg”, the “Gedenkstättenverbund Gäu-Neckar-Alb e.V.”, the “Initiative Hechinger Synagoge e.V.” and the “Stuttgarter Lehrhaus – Stiftung für interreligiösen Dialog” as well as the ‘Theater Lindenhof’ in Melchingen and several individuals, a draft version of the concept was created.

This draft was translated into English by a member of the Löwenstein family. The concept was sent to all family members for consultation and approval. A delegation from the association travelled to England in 2014 and 2018 to present the association’s ideas. After incorporating the family additions, the general membership meeting of the Löwenstein Research Association was then able to approve the final version.

Before the final version was published in the press, the association presented the results to the Mayor of Mössingen and the District Administrator of Tübingen, as well as the majority of Mössingen’s municipal council parliamentary groups in a personal meeting.

I. Purpose of the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“

Since it was founded in 2007, the Association for the Research of the Löwenstein Brothers‘ Life Work and History e.V. (Löwenstein Research Association e.V.) has done extensive research, organised publications and events, and done international networking. These activities have been based on civic initiative and volunteer work.

In order to make the results of the Association’s work of more than ten years available to a wider public and more accessible for academic activities, a precise location and institutional framework is necessary. This shall be ensured by the founding of a „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“.

The development of the Research and Archive Center will initiate a new division of responsibilities: The Löwenstein Research Association will focus more on commemoration and memorial activities, information and communication within the public discourse, as well as giving impulses for civic courage and democratic action. The Research and Archive Center will professionalize and consolidate the research work.

II. The Löwenstein’s Pausa Company: Part of the region’s Jewish industrial heritage

Over and above being a Mössingen textile firm, the Löwenstein’s Pausa Company had a large impact on the whole Schwäbische Alb region and its textile industry. Already in the nineteen-twenties, the Pausa Company developed into an internationally successful firm, a global player. In its early years, the company had established strong ties to the Bauhaus in Weimar and Dessau.

The Löwenstein’s Pausa Company reflects a highly innovative industrial heritage. Its expropriation was part of the suppression of modern Jewish culture.

The „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ is to explore the significance of the Löwenstein’s Pausa Company as a distinctive part of active Jewish industrial heritage in the region. It will examine and describe the roles that Artur and Flora Löwenstein and Felix and Helene Löwenstein played as pioneers of industry.

The Research Center is to explore the complex interactions and influences between Jewish companies and the textile industry, Jewish as well as non-Jewish, at various locations in the region (i.e. Hechingen, Bronnweiler, Albstadt), in order to illustrate the development of economic and cultural modernity.

In addition, through its research on the Löwenstein’s Pausa Company, the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ would like to contribute to the city’s historic research effort.

Focusing on aspects of industrial culture, including its own historic heritage, could also enhance Mössingen’s appeal as a business location.

III. Main topics for the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“

The work of the Löwenstein Research Association to date has resulted in the following 15 main topics for the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“. This list may be augmented in the course of the Research Center’s activities:

  1. Research on the Pausa founders‘ entrepreneurial, artistic and cultural activities in the 1920s and 1930s, including a focus on their contacts to the „Werkbund“ and other artistic associations.
  2. Research on the connections between the Löwenstein’s Pausa Company as a „Bauhaus“ production site and the „Bauhaus“ in Weimar, Dessau, and Berlin, with a special focus on Ljuba Monastirskaja’s and Lisbeth Oestreicher’s careers.
  3. Research on the connections between the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company and Bauhaus artist Friedl Dicker-Brandeis‘ work.
  4. Research on the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s significance as part of regional Jewish industrial culture, as well as on the Pausa Company’s interactions with other Jewish and non-Jewish businesses in the area.
  5. Research on the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s significance for the development of Mössingen’s economic, social, and political structures in the 1920s and 1930s.
  6. Research on the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s influence on Armi Ratia’s artistic work and the founding of the Marimekko Company in Finland in 1951.
  7. Continuation of the research on the ties and cooperation between the Löwenstein family and the circle of Bauhaus artists in Stuttgart around Lily Hildebrandt in the 1920s and 1930s.
  8. Research on the contacts and cooperation between the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company and other artistic networks of the period’s avantgarde.
  9. Research on the expropriation and forced „Aryanization“ of the Pausa Company by the National Socialists, including evaluating and coming to terms with these in justices.
  10. Research on the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s international activities and impact.
  11. Research on the connections between the Pausa Company’s founders and the family of Adolph Lowe and Beatrice Lowe, née Löwenstein.
  12. Research on the Pausa founders‘ entrepreneurial, artistic and cultural life work, its influences and public reception. Research on Felix Loewenstein’s work in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in particular his founding of the Helios Company, commissioned by Sir Thomas Barlow. Research on innovative (avant-garde) aspects of Felix Loewenstein’s designs.
  13. Professional support for the moderation of the dialogue and exchange of ideas between Artur and Felix Löwenstein’s descendents and the citizens of Mössingen.
  14. Development and maintenance of an archive for documents of all kinds, as well as the provision of the archived material for scholars, the media, schools, and other interested persons and institutions.
  15. Preparation of educational material and teaching units on the history, influences, and reception of the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company and its work.

Further topics

  • Research on Helene Löwenstein’s (1894 – 1962) und Flora Löwenstein’s (1893–1962) contributions to the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s success.
  • Continuation of the research on the public role played by the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company and the Löwenstein family before, during, and after the general strike in Mössingen.
  • Research on the Löwenstein family’s ties to the Jewish Community and other religious communities.
  • Research on the Löwenstein families‘ public life before the founding and after the expropriation of the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company.
  • The Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company’s history and impact from the perspective of inter-religious dialogue.
  • Research on the Löwenstein family’s ties to the State Academy of Art and Design Stuttgart (Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart).

This list can be augmented in the course of the Research Center’s work.

The „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ will develop its own work program every two years, based on the specific focus on topics to be researched.

The work program will include short-term as well as long-term research projects.

IV. The Archive

IV.1 Archive Documents

The „Research and Archive Center Artur und Felix Löwenstein“ primarily collects reproductions, digital reproductions, and photocopies, not the originals, of

  • documents (such as identification cards and passports, letters, contracts, correspondence, business transactions, legal documents, court rulings, municipal decisions, etc.),
  • documents on the company’s expropriation and the restitution lawsuit,
  • photographs, graphics, drawings, etc.,
  • fabrics, fabric designs, table cloths, items for exhibition, etc.,
  • secondary literature, publications, books, etc.,
  • correspondence with Bauhaus artists, and others,
  • further sources.

On a small scale, original documents will be also be archived.

IV.2 Reception History

In addition, traces of the history of remembrance, commemoration, and reception will be archived, such as traces of

  • repression,
  • denial,
  • remembrance,
  • commemoration of the Löwensteins‘ role in the history of the Pausa Company after 1936.

The documentation of the commemoration activities since 2006/2007 will be a central part of the Archive.

In addition, the contemporary mentions of the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Company and its impact, i.e. in newspapers, periodicals, catalogues, the internet, will be archived.

V. Mobile Exhibition as Part of the Archive’s Publicity Work

In support of the Archive’s public outreach, a mobile touring exhibition is to be created. The exhibition should be easy to set up (i.e. with around 20 roll-ups), and will be shown in public spaces, as an enhancement of classroom lessons. It will be linked to educational material. – The mobile touring exhibition is now finalised. The exhibition is in german language.

VI. Communication Media

The „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ will utilize various media:

  • The Research and Archive Center will create and maintain its own website.
  • The Center will publish brochures and newsletters.
  • The Center can present publications on its research work.
  • The Research Center can create exhibitions.
  • The Research Center can organize meetings, symposia, and events.
  • The Research Center will set up a digital off-line archive.
  • By the friendly permission of the Andreas Felger Culture Foundation (Andreas Felger Kulturstiftung), it may use the logo created by the Mössinger artist Andreas Felger in 2015.
  • The Archive will publish a periodical, documenting its work, that will be offered for sale, and also be displayed at the Archive, the public library, etc.

VII. Networking

The „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ is to be linked to local, regional, national, and international networks, including the City of Mössingen, archives, museums, educational institutions, libraries, art and artists‘ organisations, religious institutions, research institutes, universities, the regional textile industry, schools, local trade and commerce, local and regional social partners.

The Research Center cooperates with the Memorial Site Network Gäu-Neckar-Alb (Gedenkstättenverbund Gäu-Neckar-Alb).

[Further information can be found in the non-public list in the appendix.]

VIII. Supporting and funding organizations

The supporting organization of the „Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ is the Association for the Promotion of Research on the Löwenstein Brothers‘ Biographies and Life Work, Mössingen (Löwenstein Research Association).

The Research and Archive Center will dispose of its own premises (comprising of at least two rooms: one space for the archive, and one space for work and meetings).

As one possibility, the Research and Archive Center may attain a different legal form.

The Research Center’s work is to be financed by donations and grants, by proceeds from events, and from the sale of Andreas Felger’s logo print, as well as by acquired academic funds.

In its initial stage, work at the Research Center will be done on a volunteer basis, as well as with temporary service contracts for individual projects. As development of the Research Center progresses, efforts towards creating more permanent jobs will be made.

An advisory board is to be appointed, including members of the family and network partners.

The Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein can establish its own statute.

Conditions for the free use of the work and research results of the Löwenstein Research Association in text, voice, image and moving image produced on a voluntary basis

Unanimous resolution of the general meeting of the Löwenstein Research Association e.V. on April, 2 2025

As Löwenstein-Forschungsverein e.V. (Mössingen), we are happy to offer our research and work results for free, public use (open content). As a condition for free use, however, we require that the source is correctly cited. It is an expression of appreciation if the name of the organisation with its voluntary civic commitment or the names of the authors are appropriately cited as the source.

Creative Commons CC-BY applies (free use with attribution to the author or rights holder; editing is permitted).

The unlawful use of our research results may constitute plagiarism and therefore be legally inadmissible. The University of Stuttgart writes: „Plagiarism as a form of intellectual theft consists of passing off scientific findings, hypotheses, ideas or formulations of others as one’s own. The use of sources and literature is unauthorised if the necessary evidence is omitted.“

The Board of the Löwenstein Research Association reserves the right to take appropriate action against plagiarism and to condemn it publicly.

The photos used by the Löwenstein Research Association e.V. on its own website and in publications are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of the persons or institutions responsible.

The Löwenstein-Forschungsverein e.V. prohibits the use of the texts, audio files, video files and images on its website as data material or training basis for GPTs and other variants of generative IT. Exceptions must be agreed in writing with the board of the association.