For the first time, revenge as a theme of Jewish cultural history is being discussed and experienced in public with an exhibition project at the Jewish Museum Frankfurt: a project of far-reaching significance.
The development of a participatory exhibition dramaturgy with a multi-perspective exhibition narrative and an accessible experience for the visitors.
A participatory exhibition experience with different perspectives and dynamics, through which the theme of revenge takes shape and the associated emotional component becomes spatially tangible.
Concept, scenography, graphic design, historical exhibits, spatial design
In addition to real stories, fantasy is given a wide scope through the creation of legends, rites, and mythical transformation to cope with the desire for accountability and retribution. Current developments and narratives in popular culture are also considered.
"Being the first museum that dedicates itself to the topic of “revenge” in Jewish cultural history requires great courage. I found it very exciting that we were asked to find the right form and concept for this and to make our contribution to a controversial topic. The focus of the exhibits and the stories the exhibition tells are noticeably reflected in the exhibition architecture. It's a great feeling to walk through the finished exhibition and feel that our concept is working and that this feeling is also transferred to the visitors."
Julia Tyrakowska
Scenic design space
In terms of pop culture, Jewish gangsters and outlaws of the 1930s in the USA are also included. A photo station with changeable backgrounds and accessories allows visitors to stage themselves aspart of the exhibition.
The monstrous, the superhuman, the uncontrollable bursts like an avalanche into the white space and takes hold with spurs of the entire area with its striking testimonials and quotations from survivors of the Shoa.The dynamic design is enhanced by a hybrid construction with projection and moving lighting. The large-format poster collages with which the thematic areas are opened provide an orientation. There appraisal of implemented acts of revenge by Jewish units in the late 1940s culminates in the 3-channel video installation "Revenge" by Berlin-based artist Daniel Laufer, which was developed for the exhibition. His work questions the relevance of Jewish notions of revenge in post-Nazi society.
Jewish superheroes from the Marvel and DC cosmos appear on the large-scale comic wallpaper in the Archive of the Present. Here, visitors can explore book sand contemporary documents, watch comics and film clips, or play a computer game. Through the various media, visitors are given access to the topic of "revenge" in a playful way.
