What would Oldenburg be without the university? Eleven students on the "Museum and Exhibition" Master's degree programme have addressed this question and designed the "Cloud Cuckoo Castle" exhibition. The exhibition will open on Monday, 17 November at 6 p.m. in the Schlaues Haus.
In the exhibition, under the direction of historian Prof. Dr Rudolf Holbach, they explore Oldenburg's potential, highlight the importance of the university for the city and present ideas of what Oldenburg could look like without a university. "Wolkenkuckucksburg" will be opened by Prof. Dr Gunilla Budde, Vice President for Studies and Teaching, and Oldenburg's Lord Mayor Jürgen Krogmann on Monday, 17 November at 6 p.m. in The Smart House Oldenburg (Schlossplatz 16). The exhibition can be viewed until 7 January 2015 - and the finissage also marks the end of the university's anniversary year. The City of Oldenburg is the exclusive partner of the event as part of the "40 years of the University of Oldenburg" project. The students have also put together an extensive supporting programme for the exhibition.
"In 'Wolkenkuckucksburg', the students have dealt with 'undone history'," explains Holbach. From a historian's point of view, this is a rather unusual approach. However, this engagement contributes to a better understanding of what has happened and can provide visitors to the exhibition with an "aha" moment.
"Wolkenkuckucksburg" is an Oldenburg without a university. The name of the exhibition refers to the famous "Cloud Cuckoo Land" from the comedy "The Birds" by the Greek poet Aristophanes (414 BC). In order to present the university's influence on the development of the city and outline possible alternatives, the first part of the exhibition reflects the history of the University of Oldenburg through four major thematic blocks: "Paving the way and building", "Naming the university", "Research" and "University without borders". Other sections of the exhibition focus on the university's birthday, its economic influence on the region, the socio-political debates in the city and the university's impact on Oldenburg's quality of life. "When designing the exhibition, we focussed on selected areas of Oldenburg that we believe have been influenced by the university," explains exhibition organiser Nadja Bühler. And Katrin Hartmann adds: "We are mirroring the 'current state' with a 'would-be state'." What would it mean if the most important economic driver for the region was not the university but kale, if the 222nd anniversary of the University of Teacher Education was celebrated instead of the university's 40th birthday?
The exhibition organisers place particular emphasis on the participation of visitors. An interactive tour of the exhibition allows visitors to find out what the university means to them. The exhibition also shows artistic works on the theme of "Wolkenkuckucksburg", which were created in co-operation with twelfth-grade pupils from the Helene Lange School, and presents the results of a citizens' survey. The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue designed by the students. Admission is free.
Supporting programme (the events take place in the Schlaues Haus, admission is free, registration may be required):
Monday, 17 November, 6.00 pm: Exhibition opening -Students from the Master's degree programme "Museum and Exhibition" and project leader Prof. Dr. Rudolf Holbach will introduce the topic. Followed by a party with DJ Max Überwasser.
Saturday, 22 November, 1 p.m.: City tour "Unistadt Oldenburg?" - 90-minute bus tour showing the links between the city and the university. Event organised in co-operation with Oldenburg Tourismus und Marketing GmbH (OTM). Registration by 15 November by email: wolkenkuckucksburg@gmail.com, meeting point: Cäcilienplatz.
Saturday, 29 November, 6 p.m.: Author reading with Christina Reinemann. The author will read from her Oldenburg crime novel "Die Leiche im Audimax". Registration until 22 November by email: wolkenkuckucksburg@gmail.com
Wednesday, 3 December, 6.30 p.m.: Panel discussion "(Nightmare) Dream Cloud Cuckoo Castle?" with City Planning Councillor Gabriele Nießen and urban sociologist Dr Norbert Gestring.
Friday, 5 December, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 6 December, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Workshop "Back to the beginning" - participants design their own exhibition, redesign "Wolkenkuckucksburg".
Wednesday, 10 December, 6.30 pm: Film screening followed by a discussion on the topic "What if? - What would the city be without a university?" (Part 1).
Saturday, 13 December, 2 p.m.: Public guided tour "Between reality and fiction" with exhibition organiser Jan Waßmann.
Wednesday, 17 December, 7 p.m.: Public guided tour of the exhibition with exhibition organiser Tobias Hebel.
Tuesday, 6 January, 6.30 pm: Film screening followed by discussion "What if? - What would the city be without the university" (part 2).
Wednesday, 7 January, 6.15 p.m.: Exhibition finissage
