Minu elu ülikooli valikud. Uue püsinäituse museoloogiline kontseptsioon
Creators: name: Raisma, Mariann
name: Kalda, Karoliina
Publisher: name: Tartu Ülikooli ajaloo küsimusi
Year: 2020

description: The plan to design a new permanent exhibition about the university in the Morgenstern hall on the 5th floor of the museum was born in 2011. More intensive work started in 2017 when it was clear that the exhibition would get enough funding to properly execute the project, and the exposition was completed in time for the 2019 celebration of centenary of the national university. In creating the exhibit, we proceeded from the basics of modern museology, considering different types of learning, and involving several interest groups in creating the exhibition, as well as keeping them in mind as visitors. In Morgenstern hall the interior design by Johann Wilhelm Krause, the architect of the university, has survived in its most authentic form dating back to 1806. One of the more important priorities of the project was to restore the former ambiance of the library that has been ‘lost in restauration’ throughout the years. At the designers’, as well as visitors’ request, the characteristic keywords of the room were to be mystery, creativity, surprise, infinity, nostalgia, warmth, comprehension, and entertainment. The goals for the interior design were the following: –– to bring back the majestic interior of the library—the Estonian Oxford –– to find balance between the complex room and content of the layered exhibit –– to restore and reuse as many original pieces of furniture from the library and the university as possible –– to create a magical and creative environment, a room full of discoveries and surprises, secret nooks and activities that cannot be found anywhere else. During the construction preceding the interior design work, a new weak and high current system was installed, the lighting of the hall was replaced, and the flooring was sanded and tinted. Recycling the old furniture played an important role in creating the historic atmosphere. For this, several historic cabinets were conserved and completed, and shelving units from the mid-1800s were restored. In selecting the museological solutions of the exhibit, we proceeded from the environment, as well as what we thought would interest our main target groups. In designing the concept, we kept in mind the three important aspects of social inclusion according to Eilean Hooper-Greenhill and Richard Sandell: 1) accessibility, 2) participation, 3) representation. We added a fourth factor—openness, the axis of Estonia-Europe-the world. In details, the targets for the new exhibit were the following: –– to capture the essence of the university through colourful personae and stories –– to portray the development of the university in international context, as well as introduce the university’s role as the communicator of European values in Estonian history –– to introduce the most significant scientific breakthroughs that started or were built upon in Tartu –– to inspire people to reminisce about their olden days in Tartu, the best years of their lives as students –– to discuss what the University of Tartu means to Estonia; what has been the role and significance of the university in the development of the Estonian state and society –– to encourage people to think of what the university means to them individually, how the university has changed our lives, and through that highlight the university’s value and significance. The main target groups of the exhibit are the current and future alumni of the University of Tartu, their families, guests of the university, and foreign tourists. A survey was conducted amongst target and interest groups in the spring and summer of 2018. 65 target group and 17 interest group representatives took part and gave feedback on their visitation habits, the ways in which they acquire information at exhibits, and more specifically about the topics that would interest them at an exhibition about the history of the university. The survey revealed that people want an exhibit with an overall light and happy atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia. Most target groups saw the student life and recreation as the most interesting topics, but university buildings and architecture, and the most remarkable alumni and professors received many mentions, too. As a result of the survey, we shifted our attention to covering student life, the rectors and current division of faculties in the university, about which the interest groups had been curious. Additionally, we received useful information on which interactive activities and IT solutions people wish to see at the exhibit. In creating the exhibition, we followed the principle that every subtopic should have an element that each type of learner could relate to in a meaningful way. We analysed the techniques used at the exhibition in accordance with Peter van Mensch’s division: static (the visitor views static material), dynamic (the visitor views moving material), and interactive (the visitor actively participates in gaining knowledge). At the exhibit, we tried to balance the different techniques, as well as digital and mechanic interactivity. Examples of the static technique are displays and authentic university-related objects, telling fascinating stories. As it was impossible to display the University’s two foundation acts (from 1632 and 1802), we decided to prepare copies that resemble the originals as closely as possible, using historic or similar materials, as well as techniques dating back to the time when the documents were created. Visitors can touch and browse the foundation act of 1802 during their tour. The exhibit has many examples of the dynamic technique as well, such as materials from the video archive, documented memories, as well as databases founded for the exhibition. Album Academicum 1632–2019 lists all the graduates of the university and another database provides information on all the buildings of the University of Tartu through its four centuries. We also put effort into creating mechanically interactive solutions, such as the showpiece illustrating the theory of blood clotting, singing beer steins and a roulette table displaying key facts. As with all projects, this one had its ups and downs, some elements worked out differently from what was planned or do not work how we imagined they would. After opening, we have analysed the successes and failures, viewed how the visitors see the exhibits, and adjusted several parts. The result has been commended and our exhibit together with “Estonia of Ideals. 100 Years of Quests” has been awarded the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s annual award. The exhibition design has been nominated for the Annual Award of the Estonian Association of Interior Architects.
description: Tartu Ülikooli ajaloo küsimusi, Vol. 48 (2020): 100 aastaga pärisorjusest emakeelse ülikoolini