Commemorative event: Gratis access to the Bremer Oversee Museum today
Art and History Collide at Bremen's Übersee-Museum
On September 8th, the doors of the Übersee-Museum Bremen will open, inviting visitors to step back in time and delve into the museum's rich history. From 10 am to 5 pm, the museum will offer free admission, and at 11 am, an outdoor guided tour will commence, shedding light on the fascinating sandstone reliefs adorning the museum's exterior facade.
The guided tour, titled "Scenes from Overseas: Sandstone Reliefs on the Museum's Exterior Facade", is a unique opportunity to explore the museum's history and the stories these ancient carvings tell. The tour takes visitors on a journey back to the museum's construction around 1900, examining the sandstone reliefs integrated into the museum's facade.
These sandstone reliefs, created in the early 20th century, are a testament to Germany's colonial past. They visually narrate colonial encounters, indigenous life, and economic exploitation from a German imperial perspective of the early 1900s. The reliefs often portray Romanticized and Eurocentric views of the colonies, including depictions of native peoples in stereotypical or subordinated roles, as well as scenes of resource extraction and German colonial authority.
While detailed imagery and iconography of these reliefs may not be extensively documented, similar artworks on colonial-era museum buildings in Germany typically include indigenous people shown in exoticized, passive, or subservient ways, German figures portrayed as explorers, administrators, or industrial agents, and scenes symbolizing economic activity like plantations, mining, or trade.
Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars for a better view of the sandstone reliefs during the guided tour. The tour will explain the connection between German colonialism and the representations on the reliefs, providing insights into the historical significance of these architectural artworks.
However, it's important to note that some representations on the reliefs may be stereotypical and racist, reflecting the prejudices and biases of the time. These discussions around these reliefs often involve debates on how colonial history is represented publicly and how museums address these colonial-era artworks today.
The sandstone reliefs at the Übersee-Museum Bremen are not just artifacts of art history; they are also points of reflection on Germany’s colonial history and its memorialization in public spaces. Don't miss this chance to learn more about this intriguing piece of history. Join us on September 8th for a guided tour that promises to be both enlightening and thought-provoking.
After delving into the rich history of Bremen's Übersee-Museum, one can complement their visit with an exploration of the museum's lifestyle and outdoor-living exhibit, showcasing home-and-garden artifacts from various colonies. These artifacts will offer insights into the lived experiences of indigenous communities during the colonial era, demonstrating how people created homes and gardens amidst challenging circumstances.
