On Expedition! Temporary exhibition

National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden, The Netherlands

On Expedition, 175 years of exploring and meeting different cultures

The garden of Museum Volkenkunde has been turned into a big exploration ground. As if a couple of trucks lost their cargo, large wooden expedition cases have randomly been placed throughout the site. The cases show different aspects of being on expedition.

On Expedition reflects 175 years of exploring peoples and their cultures. Who were the first ones to explore the world, what did they find out and were they welcomed by the natives? Using the diaries of 4 famous Dutch explorers and their now legendary, original film-material. An astonishing film was made about their journey which is shown in the first case.

Test your courage

In the second exploration case, visitors can test their courage and whether they are smart enough to become an explorer. This exciting quiz has been enriched by unique photographic material in the collection of the museum. Even if the advise tells you to stay home, there is no reason to be disappointed. Because in the next case, the visitor can make a picture of himself as if being in the center of an African tribe! By the use of chromakey-technique, visitors get the chance to send a postcard of himself like being far away on expedition.

True or false

At the end of an expedition, it is normal to take some souvenirs back home. But what are you exactly looking at? True and false stories are mixed up and the visitors have to find out for themselves what museum-object links to a fascinating story. While the parents mix and match, the children are able to climb, explore, transform into an Inuit and loose their energy in the specially made playing area.

Heating system

This unique family exhibition is free of charge and is accessible during the winter period of 2011 / 2012. There is heating in the exploration cases, which prevents the hardware as well as the visitors from freezing.

Scope of project

concept development, detailed design, fabrication management, installation management, turn key project management