Restless Youth: A Journey through European Youth Culture

Description:

As part of the captivating exhibition "Restless Youth" at the House of History Museum in Brussels, I had the privilege of contributing to a unique and engaging project. This exhibition delves into the vibrant tapestry of European youth culture from the 1940s to the present day, offering visitors a captivating journey through time across four distinct spaces: the 1940s-50s, the 1960s-70s, the 1980s, and the 1990s-2000s.

The Interactive Experience:

At the end of each era-themed space, visitors are invited to connect their own memories to the extensive image archive using a user-friendly interface tied to the respective time period. These memories could range from reflections on festivals to political events and beyond, all encapsulated in succinct 140-character narratives reminiscent of Twitter. Visitors add their name and age alongside their memory, which is then preserved and displayed on the interface or the adjacent wall.

Preserving Memories:

A remarkable installation awaits visitors at the culmination of their journey: a collection of memories housed within glass jars reminiscent of weckflessen. These jars serve as vessels for the collective recollections from all zones, offering a tangible connection to the past. However, maintaining readability while preserving the essence of the memories required a novel approach.

To achieve this, we blended the visual impact of photos within the weckflessen with a dynamic display, akin to a light marquee or screen, showcasing textual narratives associated with the images. This harmonious blend of visual and textual elements ensures that the memories remain vivid and accessible to all.

"Restless Youth" invites visitors to explore the rich tapestry of youth experiences that have shaped Europe over seven decades. It's an exhibition that resonates not only with the young but with all who have experienced the heady days of youth. Youth may be fleeting, but its impact endures, and this exhibition celebrates the enduring spirit of youth and the indelible mark it leaves on history. (EXHIBITION ENDED 2020)