The exhibition "MO(NU)MENTS: On the Ephemeral Nature of Festival Architecture" runs until 20th October 2024 in the Studiensaal at the Draiflessen Collection. In early modern European culture, festivals were not just celebrated; they were grandly staged. These splendid events, ranging from sacred to secular and courtly to urban, were accompanied by temporary festival architectures created specifically for each occasion. The exhibition sheds light on these ephemeral structures that transformed public spaces into stages of wonder.




On display are design drawings by renowned artists such as Peter Paul Rubens and Romeyn de Hooghe, brought to life both in the exhibition space and through media installations. The challenge was to convey the impressive dimensions of the temporary festival architectures within the limited exhibition space without losing their monumental impact.


Simple yet effective augmented reality glasses transport visitors right into the midst of a historical festival parade. An interactive media installation with a media book and a projection excitingly presents the background of these temporary architectures. Visitors can experience the grandeur of festival culture through a combination of original festival books and modern technology. This innovative presentation blends historical documentation with a contemporary experience.

 
The creative use of the limited exhibition space highlights the impressive scale and significance of the festival architectures, allowing visitors to immerse themselves deeply in the atmosphere of past celebrations.