A lively introduction to the exhibition
"Up, patriots, to the castle!" was the chant almost 200 years ago when visitors to the Hambach Festival arrived at the foot of the hill and began their ascent to the castle. Visitors to today's exhibition start their journey through the museum on the media island in exactly the same way. The curatorial team and exhibition designers have created a three-part experience station. To begin with, an audio station reports on the arduous journey to the Hambach Festival. Then there is an interactive electronic game to identify historical flags. Last but not least, is the visual highlight of an 86-inch UltraHD screen as well as a compact 10-inch touch screen, both integrated behind flush-mounted protective glass.
The media presentation on the large screen allows visitors to categorise the events in terms of space and time. This is achieved via a historical map enlivened with small animations. The events surrounding the Hambach Festival are told in three episodes. For younger visitors, a fourth episode provides a child-friendly insight into the complex topic.
Special insights
The episodes are selected using "tangible" objects in the form of magnifying glasses placed next to the screen. Simple labels and graphic designs on the objects encourage users to discover the content hidden behind them.
By placing the "magnifying glasses" on a marked area beside the smaller information screen, the corresponding topic starts up on the large monitor. The small screen also shows a short description of the selected episode.
Telling history in four language
Based on the storyboard developed by a historian, the multi-layered topic was organised in close cooperation with experts into three narrative strands, each lasting around four minutes. There is also a child-friendly version, subtly and entertainingly animated. An extensive selection of documentary images and graphic elements was researched and used to convey the content in an authentic and lively way.
Carefully prepared historical maps, digitised in great detail, form the visual framework. With this, the sequences are presented in a varied and easy-to-understand way using a combination of collage-like animated elements and accompanying texts. The use of a variety of individual visualisations and effects allows separate aspects to be illustrated in greater depth.
All animations and content are available in four languages and are therefore accessible to a wide audience. The language can be selected using simple touch controls on a small additional monitor.
Customised content for guides
A special function is integrated into the media station for the museum's tour guides. A hidden RFID reader enables them to call up specially prepared map views using an NFC key. This allows the museum guides to use the large-format display to support their tour with suitably detailed visual material.
