Science takes place in many places: In the mind and on paper, in conversation, at the desk, in the library, in the lecture theatre, in the laboratory - and in collections!

Many academic subjects have (further) developed from research and teaching with objects and have created their own teaching collections. The University of Oldenburg also has such teaching collections, which are characterised by a wide range of objects: for example botanical models, clothing, DEFA films or physical measuring instruments.

Since July 2023, a so-called 'collection showcase' in the foyer of the Central Library has been providing insights into the work on and with objects from the university's teaching collections in the form of changing exhibitions.

The exhibition Blüten(t)raum. An interdisciplinary look at florals. The project was created as a co-operation between the Textile Everyday Culture Collection (STAK) at the Institute of Material Culture and the Botanical Teaching Collections at the Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU). The exhibition shows various objects from these collections.

But what do clothes and botanical teaching objects actually have in common?

All objects have a floral connection. The dresses show flower (patterns), the models show flowers and their individual elements. We also link the objects together in terms of content. There is a suitcase for the travelling dress and the cocktail dress is framed by the gin bottle. Poppies can be found as buds, bright red flowers and seed capsules. The rose family is the connecting element between the flower model and the wedding dress. The exhibition is intended to illustrate the added value that diverse teaching collections can have. If we combine the objects and bring them together in different constellations, surprising similarities emerge from supposed differences.

The exhibition was accompanied by various media - including a collectively curated playlist, which can be found here. You are welcome to add flowery pieces of music so that the playlist can continue to grow!

Curators: Klara von Lindern, Maria Will

Laufzeit: 03.07.2023–25.09.2023

Collections in focus: Everyday Textile Culture Collection and Biological Collections