Labyrinthia
Labyrinthia, the completely new collection presentation at the Drents Museum, offers a magical journey through the iconic stories of Drenthe. NorthernLight was responsible for the spatial, visual and experience design of fifteen enchanting rooms, the welcome area, as well as the magical hallways. The Drents Museum is a unique blend of distinctive buildings, including a medieval abbey church, the former provincial house from 1882, and a carriage house. These historic structures form the foundation for Labyrinthia, a concept where each hall, room, and corridor tells its own story, bringing together history, archaeology, and art in a remarkable way.
Relevance of a historical collection today
The design of Labyrinthia offers a unique experience in every room. Central themes such as “What makes us human?”, “How far would you go for your ideals?”, and “What would you do if you were threatened?” connect the present with the past, always keeping the visitor at the heart of the experience. Each room’s atmosphere is carefully designed, intertwining historical contexts with modern elements. For instance, dark, oppressive floor and wall prints create an eerie atmosphere in the room dedicated to the story of the Yde girl, while a bright blue space with reflective surfaces adds a modern twist to the gallery dedicated to the realist art of Matthijs Röling. In this way, visitors enter a completely different world and find themselves in the middle of the story.
Multisensory experience
In Labyrinthia, iconic stories come to life. Go on a mammoth hunt, see through the eyes of Vincent van Gogh, or paddle through the ancient peat landscape. Each room offers a multisensory experience where you can not only see but also touch, smell, and feel. Smell the paint, feel the shards, pose with the jewelry of the Princess of Zweeloo, or dance at a farmer’s wedding. Thanks to its interactive nature, this exhibition is a perfect experience for families with children.
Thank you for bringing this magical end result to life: Bruns, YIPP, Wirtz, Ata Tech B.V., and the team from the Drents Museum, who developed the initial concept in collaboration with the designteam Museum Moesgaard. Photos by the Drents Museum, Sake Elzinga.
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