Austin Osman Spare once said, “The more Chaotic I am, the more complete I am.” So before you visit that peculiar place and find yourself questioning everything outside, let me bring you there beforehand.
It was just another day on March 17, 2023. I was minding my own business when my wife surprised me by planning a visit to the Last Tuesday Society in London. And so begins our curious adventure into a world filled with the unusual and the fascinating!
The Last Tuesday Society is a delightfully eccentric organization nestled in London, where the bizarre meets the imaginative. Originally conceived in 1873 by the illustrious philosopher William James at Harvard, it has since morphed into a veritable wonderland of the absurd, currently presided over by the charismatic artist Viktor Wynd.
This society is a delightful mix of a cocktail bar, museum, and event space, all rolled into one, inviting you to subvert the ordinary and revel in the extraordinary with its whimsical events and exhibits. From Victorian séance reenactments to macabre literary dinners, the Last Tuesday Society challenges the very fabric of reality.
Regarding its origins at Harvard, details remain rather elusive. While it’s clear that William James played a foundational role, the official website of the Last Tuesday Society does not provide much specific information about the society’s activities during that period, adding an intriguing gap in its history and enhancing the allure of the organization as it continues to embrace the absurd and the unknown in its modern incarnation.
The Last Tuesday Society might sound like something out of a spy novel. There was once a secretive group called the Tuesday Society, founded way back in the 19th century. This original Tuesday Society was shrouded in secrecy, attracting intellectuals and social elites who engaged in clandestine discussions about philosophy, mysticism, and the occult. Rumored to have hosted gatherings where members delved into esoteric knowledge and debated unconventional ideas, it created an exclusive environment for exploring the unknown. Although based on anecdotal information passed down in certain circles, this historic society is rumored to have involved aristocrats discussing esoteric ideas and indulging in occult practices. While the original Tuesday Society appears to still be active in the UK and Italy, the Last Tuesday Society we are discussing here is a distinct entity, unrelated to the “alleged” historical secret society. Today, it hosts a vibrant array of events, including masked balls and storytelling nights, where guests can sip on cocktails while being entertained by fascinating tales.
As we stepped inside the museum, we found the atmosphere lively and slightly chaotic, with everything crammed into tight spaces. Every item we walked by had its own story to tell.
The handwritten signs and dim lighting added to the sense of adventure as I peered closely at each exhibit. I felt like a curious child exploring a magical wonderland filled with oddities that sparked my imagination.
One of my favorite moments was discovering the “cabinet of monsters,” which featured a two-headed kitten and other peculiar specimens. Each corner of the museum held something new to discover, making it impossible to take it all in during just one visit.
The museum was full of weird and wonderful things. I mean, who knew you could find shrunken heads and a human skeleton (totally legal, by the way) just hanging out in a dining room? It was both fascinating and a little bit creepy.
I couldn’t help widening my eyes upon visiting the Spare Room, which housed a collection of works by the 20th-century artist and occultist Austin Osman Spare [IT | EN]. This room could fascinate anyone interested in mysticism and esoteric art. I was drawn in by Spare’s intricate drawings and use of sigils — symbols often used in magical practices.
I wasn’t expecting much in the way of food at a place like this, but I was pleasantly surprised. The bar served up a delicious selection of cheeses, adding a gourmet touch to the otherwise eccentric atmosphere. It was like a feast for the senses: strange sights, intriguing artifacts, and surprisingly tasty treats.
The Last Tuesday Society wasn’t just a museum; it was a surreal experience that combined the bizarre with the beautiful, all while offering an unexpected culinary delight.
So, to conclude, if any of you are planning a trip to London, please let me know! I’d love to join you for some good cheese.
[If you’re interested in learning more about Austin Osman Spare, I highly recommend checking out labirintostellare.org. It’s an authoritative resource in Italian that offers in-depth and reliable information on Spare’s life and work.]