DE MUSEUMKR@NT





A house full of voices.... an exhibition room comes alive








J. Benrlef in het decor
foto: Ben van Duin





A house full of voices
24 November 1999 - 5 September 2001
Theatermuseum
Herengracht 168B
Amsterdam

In David's Mamet's play, The Museum of Science and Industry Story, a man called Albert gets locked in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry one night. He finds a remarkable life behind the scenes. Former workers from disbanded industries and university escapees live in a twilight world between reality and fantasy, working the exhibitions, 'reminiscin' squabbling and consuming Pepsi and Snickers from the vending machines.


or many of us, Albert's story might just be silly child's day-dream. At one time or another we all have wondered what would it be like to be locked in at night in an historic and perhaps monumental institution such as our local theater and museum or even a distant castle. If only then, the walls could talk. What fears would be conveyed and what mysteries would we learn from past inhabitants? Would the house indeed be haunted and doors and shutter suddenly open? Or what other undisclosed documents would we find behind those brick walls?

The latest exhibition (or perhaps performance) at the Theater Museum, A House Full of Voices, is an absolute must to see event for all and definite marks a new way of thinking in museum exhibition design and communication. In cooperation with the theater group Okrater the museum has put on a memorable experience and a high aesthetic display which will certainly put a new twist to the never-ending debate of the use objects vs design elements in museum world.

With an aid of an earphone the visitor is led to make an individual journey through a labyrinth of small rooms and very dark corridors. There are no long labels, no museum texts.
Instead your 'electronic' guide, technical theater lighting, sounds and props help mark your way to discover more about the person who might once roamed those same halls. Doors, drawers or shutters might open unexpected; hushed voices of perhaps past inhabitants might whisper their deepest and darkest secrets to you. Or perhaps they will indeed tell you which door to open next to continue your adventure into a thrilling plot of their lives as an actor.

Be aware, however, to listen to your guide carefully not to miss any clues. Sometimes indeed the tape recorder is very sensitive to quick movement or touch. And if not careful you might just lose your way in the maze . The exhibition then automatically becomes confusing and one leaves with a feeling of dispair and wonders have missed something, or then again maybe not!!!

Michèle Jacobs   



A house full of voices runs from 24 November 1999 - 5 September 2001

Een huis vol stemmen
Orkater / Theatermuseum
bedacht en gemaakt door
componist Thijs van der Poll,
beeldend kunstenaar Jeroen Kee
en schrijver J. Bernlef

Theatermuseum
Herengracht 168B
Amsterdam
Tuesday-Friday 11:00 - 17:00
Weekends 13:00 - 17:00



Order your copy of David's Mamet's play, The Museum of Science and Industry Story at Amazon.com




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