Opening
2022
Exhibition Concept
Travel back to the time of the T. rex! The Rexperience offers a unique journey to 66 million years ago. Step into the futuristic travel agency, enter the space capsule, and embark on an unforgettable time travel adventure. Guided by tour leader Dave, you’ll smoothly journey back in time… But watch out for that meteorite! This experience blends light, sound, and special effects to bring the story to life.
The Rexperience is a special add-on experience during your visit to Naturalis. The iconic skeleton of T. rex Trix can also be visited without a Rexperience ticket in the “Dinosaur Era” exhibition hall.
The Rexperience includes shock, motion, and light effects, and is suitable for children aged 8 and up. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Review / Article
Both the design and execution processes are highly complex due to the holistic concept, where every 5 minutes, 25 visitors are guided through a fully automated experiential journey. Light, design, animatronics, film, decor, and effects work seamlessly together to complete the experience.
Set Design
Spectacular time travel to the Cretaceous
Opening
2022
Exhibition Concept
Travel back to the time of the T. rex! The Rexperience offers a unique journey to 66 million years ago. Step into the futuristic travel agency, enter the space capsule, and embark on an unforgettable time travel adventure. Guided by tour leader Dave, you’ll smoothly journey back in time… But watch out for that meteorite! This experience blends light, sound, and special effects to bring the story to life.
The Rexperience is a special add-on experience during your visit to Naturalis. The iconic skeleton of T. rex Trix can also be visited without a Rexperience ticket in the “Dinosaur Era” exhibition hall.
The Rexperience includes shock, motion, and light effects, and is suitable for children aged 8 and up. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Review / Article
Both the design and execution processes are highly complex due to the holistic concept, where every 5 minutes, 25 visitors are guided through a fully automated experiential journey. Light, design, animatronics, film, decor, and effects work seamlessly together to complete the experience.
Set Design
Spectacular time travel to the Cretaceous
Opening
2019-09-01
Exhibition Concept
The Earthquake, designed by Studio Daniel Ament, is an intense experience within the hall “The Earth”. In this event, a puppet play about a Japanese mythology explaining earthquakes brings an actual earthquake to life. The puppet theatre begins to collapse, and visitors must find their way out through the debris to escape the peril.
Combining soundscapes, lighting design, and dynamic effects – such as a cracking and moving floor and a falling ceiling – this experience immerses visitors in the destructive force of the earth.
The hall “The Earth” itself is a tribute to the immense power of our planet. Visitors journey through awe-inspiring locations like volcanoes in Hawaii, earthquakes in Japan, and the rifts of Iceland, making the raw force of nature tangible.
Set Design
Realistic natural forces with dynamic effects.
Award
N/A
Opening
2019-09-01
Exhibition Concept
The Earthquake, designed by Studio Daniel Ament, is an intense experience within the hall “The Earth”. In this event, a puppet play about a Japanese mythology explaining earthquakes brings an actual earthquake to life. The puppet theatre begins to collapse, and visitors must find their way out through the debris to escape the peril.
Combining soundscapes, lighting design, and dynamic effects – such as a cracking and moving floor and a falling ceiling – this experience immerses visitors in the destructive force of the earth.
The hall “The Earth” itself is a tribute to the immense power of our planet. Visitors journey through awe-inspiring locations like volcanoes in Hawaii, earthquakes in Japan, and the rifts of Iceland, making the raw force of nature tangible.
Set Design
Realistic natural forces with dynamic effects.
Award
N/A
Opening
August 31, 2019
Exhibition Concept
In The Ice Age, you dive into the lives of the ‘big five’ of prehistoric Netherlands: the woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, steppe bison, cave lion, and cave hyena. Along a scale model, with surprisingly realistic videos visible through binoculars, these animals come to life, hunting prey, becoming victims, giving birth, and dying. The exhibition shows how everything in nature is interconnected, even in the icy Netherlands of tens of thousands of years ago. Fossils from that time provide insight into this fascinating ecosystem.
Set Design
Realistic prehistoric dioramas with film projections
Opening
August 31, 2019
Exhibition Concept
In The Ice Age, you dive into the lives of the ‘big five’ of prehistoric Netherlands: the woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, steppe bison, cave lion, and cave hyena. Along a scale model, with surprisingly realistic videos visible through binoculars, these animals come to life, hunting prey, becoming victims, giving birth, and dying. The exhibition shows how everything in nature is interconnected, even in the icy Netherlands of tens of thousands of years ago. Fossils from that time provide insight into this fascinating ecosystem.
Set Design
Realistic prehistoric dioramas with film projections
Opening
March 29, 2019
Exhibition Concept
Explore six fascinating sea creatures with the whole family in the Sea Monsters exhibition. Take a closer look at the Loch Ness monster, meet the mega-octopus Kraken, a giant crab, and mermaids. There’s also a massive turtle pretending to be an island and even the whale that swallowed Jonah. Sea Monsters is an interactive exhibition at the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam, specially designed for families with children aged 4 and up, where nothing is as it seems.
Set Design
A whimsical underwater world filled with mythical sea creatures
Opening
March 29, 2019
Exhibition Concept
Explore six fascinating sea creatures with the whole family in the Sea Monsters exhibition. Take a closer look at the Loch Ness monster, meet the mega-octopus Kraken, a giant crab, and mermaids. There’s also a massive turtle pretending to be an island and even the whale that swallowed Jonah. Sea Monsters is an interactive exhibition at the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam, specially designed for families with children aged 4 and up, where nothing is as it seems.
Set Design
A whimsical underwater world filled with mythical sea creatures
Opening
April 20, 2018
Exhibition Concept
Castle on Fire is a narrative and theatrical exhibition in the attic of Helmond Castle, which had been closed to the public for 700 years. During the attic tour, visitors wander through the dreams of the ancient castle, where shadows and ghostly voices guide them past authentic castle elements. The exhibition unravels the mystery of a ‘who done it’ surrounding the great fire of 1549.
The journey takes visitors across creaking floors, under wooden beams, and through thrilling passageways to rooms where impossible dreamlike events unfold, culminating in the nightmare of the fire. The design concept, the nightmare of the castle, encompasses Special FX, scenario, concept development, scenography, film, and art direction.
Set Design
The nightmare of the castle
Creative Team
Special FX: Studio Daniel Ament
Soundscape: Wim Conradi
Lighting Design: Tom Verheijen
AV Design: Rapenburg Plaza
Opening
April 20, 2018
Exhibition Concept
Castle on Fire is a narrative and theatrical exhibition in the attic of Helmond Castle, which had been closed to the public for 700 years. During the attic tour, visitors wander through the dreams of the ancient castle, where shadows and ghostly voices guide them past authentic castle elements. The exhibition unravels the mystery of a ‘who done it’ surrounding the great fire of 1549.
The journey takes visitors across creaking floors, under wooden beams, and through thrilling passageways to rooms where impossible dreamlike events unfold, culminating in the nightmare of the fire. The design concept, the nightmare of the castle, encompasses Special FX, scenario, concept development, scenography, film, and art direction.
Set Design
The nightmare of the castle
Creative Team
Special FX: Studio Daniel Ament
Soundscape: Wim Conradi
Lighting Design: Tom Verheijen
AV Design: Rapenburg Plaza
Opening
November 1, 2017
Exhibition Concept
Fake news! Filter bubbles! Everyone is a journalist! The impact of the daily news flow is greater than ever. The exhibition News or Nonsense at the Museum of Beeld & Geluid takes visitors on an interactive journey through the phenomenon of fake news. Let Eva Cleven and Lex Uiting guide you out of your filter bubble, create your own clickbait, and hold up a mirror to yourself.
The exhibition explores the influence of fake news and the media that spread it, asking: what is real and what is fake? Learn how fact-checkers, news outlets, and schools fight against trolls, clickbait factories, and vlogging fakers. Discover how you can deal with fake news and the power of critical thinking.
Set Design
An interactive mirror on the media landscape
Opening
November 1, 2017
Exhibition Concept
Fake news! Filter bubbles! Everyone is a journalist! The impact of the daily news flow is greater than ever. The exhibition News or Nonsense at the Museum of Beeld & Geluid takes visitors on an interactive journey through the phenomenon of fake news. Let Eva Cleven and Lex Uiting guide you out of your filter bubble, create your own clickbait, and hold up a mirror to yourself.
The exhibition explores the influence of fake news and the media that spread it, asking: what is real and what is fake? Learn how fact-checkers, news outlets, and schools fight against trolls, clickbait factories, and vlogging fakers. Discover how you can deal with fake news and the power of critical thinking.
Set Design
An interactive mirror on the media landscape
Opening
January 16, 2017
Exhibition Concept
This exhibition is built around three conceptual pillars: conflict, flight, and landing. Visitors meet eight refugees who share their personal stories. The stories are relatable and human, using elements like stuffed animals, friends, and hobbies to create a bridge between both.
The context around these personal stories focuses on the individuals’ ‘conflict, flight, and landing’, as well as general knowledge about war, peace, and the definition of a refugee. Statistical data on refugees, such as the number of people worldwide who are displaced and how many have been granted asylum, are presented. A historical perspective is also provided, comparing refugee numbers over time, with expectations for the future.
Set Design
Living in a transport crate
Opening
January 16, 2017
Exhibition Concept
This exhibition is built around three conceptual pillars: conflict, flight, and landing. Visitors meet eight refugees who share their personal stories. The stories are relatable and human, using elements like stuffed animals, friends, and hobbies to create a bridge between both.
The context around these personal stories focuses on the individuals’ ‘conflict, flight, and landing’, as well as general knowledge about war, peace, and the definition of a refugee. Statistical data on refugees, such as the number of people worldwide who are displaced and how many have been granted asylum, are presented. A historical perspective is also provided, comparing refugee numbers over time, with expectations for the future.
Set Design
Living in a transport crate
Opening
May 15, 2016, National Tour
Exhibition Concept
The traveling installation WeAreData, launched on May 15, 2016, focuses on the public debate around the collection and storage of personal data and the resulting questions about safety and privacy. As technology advances, this issue will only become more critical.
Studio Daniel Ament designed the Mirror Room for this project, commissioned by initiator, producer, and graphic designer Tijl Akkermans. WeAreData goes beyond Big Data discussions related to social media and focuses on the physical and emotional data that people emit, knowingly or unknowingly. The installation uses sensors, cameras, and monitors to capture visitor reactions and provide feedback after the visit. The software for the installation, developed by VicarVision, uses FaceReader for full facial expression analysis.
Set Design
Interactive installation
Opening
May 15, 2016, National Tour
Exhibition Concept
The traveling installation WeAreData, launched on May 15, 2016, focuses on the public debate around the collection and storage of personal data and the resulting questions about safety and privacy. As technology advances, this issue will only become more critical.
Studio Daniel Ament designed the Mirror Room for this project, commissioned by initiator, producer, and graphic designer Tijl Akkermans. WeAreData goes beyond Big Data discussions related to social media and focuses on the physical and emotional data that people emit, knowingly or unknowingly. The installation uses sensors, cameras, and monitors to capture visitor reactions and provide feedback after the visit. The software for the installation, developed by VicarVision, uses FaceReader for full facial expression analysis.
Set Design
Interactive installation
Opening
17-12-2015
Exhibition Concept
Working Apart Together, an exhibition by ARCAM, explores the interplay between living and working and its influence on urban planning, architecture, and infrastructure. Although often separated, living and working are inextricably linked, with different variations from separate locations to being combined under one roof. The exhibition highlights how regulations, new living desires, and urban design impact this dynamic, using Amsterdam as a specific example of a broader, universal theme.
Set Design
Exhibition design focused on the interplay between living and working
Opening
17-12-2015
Exhibition Concept
Working Apart Together, an exhibition by ARCAM, explores the interplay between living and working and its influence on urban planning, architecture, and infrastructure. Although often separated, living and working are inextricably linked, with different variations from separate locations to being combined under one roof. The exhibition highlights how regulations, new living desires, and urban design impact this dynamic, using Amsterdam as a specific example of a broader, universal theme.
Set Design
Exhibition design focused on the interplay between living and working
Opening 28-03-2014
Exhibition Concept Stories of manor residents and their impact
Review / Article “On Friday, March 28, 2014, Museum Nienoord will open the new exhibition Hidden Stories on the upper floor of the manor. The exhibition tells the exciting stories of the manor, its residents, and their influence on the surrounding landscape through images and sound—stories that have remained hidden for a long time. Visitors can follow the three families who ruled the surrounding areas as lords of Nienoord. Special animated films for both young and old bring the past to life in a creative way. Visitors will also learn about the wealth that once existed in Nienoord, as well as the turbulent times, wars, and personal dramas. Additionally, some myths are debunked, such as the myth of the 1850 fire that supposedly severely damaged the manor. There are many activities for children, including learning a court dance, discovering how peat forms underground, and hearing the walls speak about the past.
The exhibition was designed by Daniel Ament, who has previously designed exhibitions for the Rijksmuseum and the Tropenmuseum. His design for Museum Nienoord gives the upper floor of the manor a contemporary touch. Instead of period rooms, modern audiovisual techniques are used, distinguishing the manor from other estates in Groningen. This new exhibition becomes a permanent part of Museum Nienoord, showcasing the museum’s new identity as a Groninger country estate of distinction, where regional cultural history has a natural place alongside the unique national carriage collection.” — Infoleek, 20-03-2014
Set Design If the walls could talk
Opening 28-03-2014
Exhibition Concept Stories of manor residents and their impact
Review / Article “On Friday, March 28, 2014, Museum Nienoord will open the new exhibition Hidden Stories on the upper floor of the manor. The exhibition tells the exciting stories of the manor, its residents, and their influence on the surrounding landscape through images and sound—stories that have remained hidden for a long time. Visitors can follow the three families who ruled the surrounding areas as lords of Nienoord. Special animated films for both young and old bring the past to life in a creative way. Visitors will also learn about the wealth that once existed in Nienoord, as well as the turbulent times, wars, and personal dramas. Additionally, some myths are debunked, such as the myth of the 1850 fire that supposedly severely damaged the manor. There are many activities for children, including learning a court dance, discovering how peat forms underground, and hearing the walls speak about the past.
The exhibition was designed by Daniel Ament, who has previously designed exhibitions for the Rijksmuseum and the Tropenmuseum. His design for Museum Nienoord gives the upper floor of the manor a contemporary touch. Instead of period rooms, modern audiovisual techniques are used, distinguishing the manor from other estates in Groningen. This new exhibition becomes a permanent part of Museum Nienoord, showcasing the museum’s new identity as a Groninger country estate of distinction, where regional cultural history has a natural place alongside the unique national carriage collection.” — Infoleek, 20-03-2014
Set Design If the walls could talk
Opening
08-01-2014, het Rijks
Exhibition Concept
Following the exhibition “You & the Golden Age,” the Rijksmuseum expanded upon the concept of the ‘Society of Rijksgeheimen,’ which consists of eccentric scientists and historians living and working within the exhibition. One of the society’s members invented the ‘Vanallesreiniger,’ used by the cleaner Ali Dingendoek. The actual Vanallesreiniger was designed by Studio Daniel Ament.
Set Design
All-purpose cleaner
Opening
08-01-2014, het Rijks
Exhibition Concept
Following the exhibition “You & the Golden Age,” the Rijksmuseum expanded upon the concept of the ‘Society of Rijksgeheimen,’ which consists of eccentric scientists and historians living and working within the exhibition. One of the society’s members invented the ‘Vanallesreiniger,’ used by the cleaner Ali Dingendoek. The actual Vanallesreiniger was designed by Studio Daniel Ament.
Set Design
All-purpose cleaner
Exhibition Concept
During the major renovation and rebuilding of the Rijksmuseum, a secret society was discovered behind the walls, conducting research into the history of the Golden Age: What was behind it?
In the educational program You & the Golden Age, visiting children help the society put the pieces of history back together by stepping into the shoes of someone from the Golden Age. They meet Rembrandt, flee in Hugo de Groot’s book chest, and experience the cold in the Behouden Huys on Nova Zembla. This way, the museum objects gain meaning, making it an unforgettable history lesson.
Award
On March 27, 2014, the educational program You & the Golden Age won the Best Practice Award, as well as the NOT innovation awards, both public and jury prizes.
Set Design Concept
A hidden space
Opening: April 9, 2014
Exhibition Concept
During the major renovation and rebuilding of the Rijksmuseum, a secret society was discovered behind the walls, conducting research into the history of the Golden Age: What was behind it?
In the educational program You & the Golden Age, visiting children help the society put the pieces of history back together by stepping into the shoes of someone from the Golden Age. They meet Rembrandt, flee in Hugo de Groot’s book chest, and experience the cold in the Behouden Huys on Nova Zembla. This way, the museum objects gain meaning, making it an unforgettable history lesson.
Award
On March 27, 2014, the educational program You & the Golden Age won the Best Practice Award, as well as the NOT innovation awards, both public and jury prizes.
Set Design Concept
A hidden space
Opening: April 9, 2014
Opening
October 2012
Exhibition Concept
The Little Orphanage is a children’s presentation at the Amsterdam Museum, designed for families with children aged 4 and up. The exhibition brings the life of the 17th-century orphanage to life in an engaging way. Younger children can discover hidden animals, while children aged 7 and older embark on an adventure with the orphan boy Jurriaan to uncover the story of his parents.
Review / Article
“In a tastefully designed set with great attention to detail, the small sub-stories in thematically arranged discovery corners form the puzzle pieces for the bigger story.”
— Jury Report Gouden Reigers 2012
Award
Nominated for the Gouden Reiger 2012 for meticulous design and creativity on a small budget
Set Design
Bit by bit
Opening
October 2012
Exhibition Concept
The Little Orphanage is a children’s presentation at the Amsterdam Museum, designed for families with children aged 4 and up. The exhibition brings the life of the 17th-century orphanage to life in an engaging way. Younger children can discover hidden animals, while children aged 7 and older embark on an adventure with the orphan boy Jurriaan to uncover the story of his parents.
Review / Article
“In a tastefully designed set with great attention to detail, the small sub-stories in thematically arranged discovery corners form the puzzle pieces for the bigger story.”
— Jury Report Gouden Reigers 2012
Award
Nominated for the Gouden Reiger 2012 for meticulous design and creativity on a small budget
Set Design
Bit by bit
Opening
October 9, 2009
Exhibition Concept
The Qi of China, opened by Princess Máxima on October 9, 2009, is an interactive exhibition at Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam. The central theme is Qi, the energy that flows through everything and everyone according to Chinese culture. Visitors immerse themselves in Chinese culture by engaging in activities such as tai chi, kung fu, feng shui, calligraphy, karaoke, and cooking. Designed for children aged 6 to 13, the exhibition invites participants to explore their own qi.
In The Qi of China, nothing is behind glass. All objects are part of the experience. During the guided tour, children learn about Chinese traditions by exploring spaces like a tea house, a calligraphy studio, and an umbrella factory. Guided by museum staff, children participate in various activities, including the Qi jump, which is filmed and incorporated into an online game that accompanies the exhibition (www.qigame.nl).
Set Design
Air of concrete.
Opening
October 9, 2009
Exhibition Concept
The Qi of China, opened by Princess Máxima on October 9, 2009, is an interactive exhibition at Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam. The central theme is Qi, the energy that flows through everything and everyone according to Chinese culture. Visitors immerse themselves in Chinese culture by engaging in activities such as tai chi, kung fu, feng shui, calligraphy, karaoke, and cooking. Designed for children aged 6 to 13, the exhibition invites participants to explore their own qi.
In The Qi of China, nothing is behind glass. All objects are part of the experience. During the guided tour, children learn about Chinese traditions by exploring spaces like a tea house, a calligraphy studio, and an umbrella factory. Guided by museum staff, children participate in various activities, including the Qi jump, which is filmed and incorporated into an online game that accompanies the exhibition (www.qigame.nl).
Set Design
Air of concrete.
Opening
November 15, 2008
Exhibition Concept
The Marco Polo in Amsterdam project by the Dutch Opera, led by Anthony Heidweiller, brings art into the community through mini-operas and choir projects. With a focus on the city’s diversity and intercultural connections, activities ranged from music performances and cultural encounters to a Silk Route Bus featuring opera music and documentary screenings.
Studio Daniel Ament was loaned a city bus, with the condition that it had to be returned in its exact original form post-project. They transformed it into a reflective vehicle that mirrored its surroundings, blending in like a chameleon, and capturing the attention of passersby. Inside, visitors were welcomed with coffee and invited to explore mini-documentaries through view boxes, showcasing projects where various schools collaborated intensely with international musicians from key Silk Route regions. At the back of the bus, a small cinema allowed visitors to experience the full documentary of the performances.
Set Design Concept
Community art: connecting art within the city.
Award
Winner of the National Events Prize for Most Innovative Event in 2008.
Opening
November 15, 2008
Exhibition Concept
The Marco Polo in Amsterdam project by the Dutch Opera, led by Anthony Heidweiller, brings art into the community through mini-operas and choir projects. With a focus on the city’s diversity and intercultural connections, activities ranged from music performances and cultural encounters to a Silk Route Bus featuring opera music and documentary screenings.
Studio Daniel Ament was loaned a city bus, with the condition that it had to be returned in its exact original form post-project. They transformed it into a reflective vehicle that mirrored its surroundings, blending in like a chameleon, and capturing the attention of passersby. Inside, visitors were welcomed with coffee and invited to explore mini-documentaries through view boxes, showcasing projects where various schools collaborated intensely with international musicians from key Silk Route regions. At the back of the bus, a small cinema allowed visitors to experience the full documentary of the performances.
Set Design Concept
Community art: connecting art within the city.
Award
Winner of the National Events Prize for Most Innovative Event in 2008.
Opening
November 15, 2008
Exhibition Concept
The Marco Polo in Amsterdam project by the Dutch Opera, led by Anthony Heidweiller, brings art into the community through mini-operas and choir projects. The focus is on the city’s diversity and intercultural connections. From the Zeedijk to the Silk Route, activities include music performances, cultural encounters, a Silk Route bus featuring opera music and documentary screenings, and a Song Pillar installed at various semi-public locations. Passersby are invited to spontaneously sing, record, and become part of the “vocal map” of the Netherlands. Studio Daniel Ament translated this challenge into a functional installation, designing the Song Pillar to be intuitive and inviting for these locations, encouraging participants to sing wholeheartedly while subtly experiencing that their voice became quieter to the surrounding area as they approached the pillar.
Set Design Concept
Community art: connecting art within the city.
Award
Winner of the National Events Prize for Most Innovative Event in 2005.
Opening
November 15, 2008
Exhibition Concept
The Marco Polo in Amsterdam project by the Dutch Opera, led by Anthony Heidweiller, brings art into the community through mini-operas and choir projects. The focus is on the city’s diversity and intercultural connections. From the Zeedijk to the Silk Route, activities include music performances, cultural encounters, a Silk Route bus featuring opera music and documentary screenings, and a Song Pillar installed at various semi-public locations. Passersby are invited to spontaneously sing, record, and become part of the “vocal map” of the Netherlands. Studio Daniel Ament translated this challenge into a functional installation, designing the Song Pillar to be intuitive and inviting for these locations, encouraging participants to sing wholeheartedly while subtly experiencing that their voice became quieter to the surrounding area as they approached the pillar.
Set Design Concept
Community art: connecting art within the city.
Award
Winner of the National Events Prize for Most Innovative Event in 2005.
Opening
April 1, 2008
Exhibition Concept
An exhibition full of stories about love, trickery, and courage. This is a true family exhibition. Young and old can listen to boundless stories of love, trickery, and courage.
The three universal themes of love, trickery, and courage are central in the interactive exhibition Journey of Stories. Discover more about the cunning animals Kantjil and Anansi, or put on the headphones and listen to the story of the brave Hanuman and the beautiful Sita. We hope you take these stories with you and pass them on.
Set Design
Interactive and immersive.
Opening
April 1, 2008
Exhibition Concept
An exhibition full of stories about love, trickery, and courage. This is a true family exhibition. Young and old can listen to boundless stories of love, trickery, and courage.
The three universal themes of love, trickery, and courage are central in the interactive exhibition Journey of Stories. Discover more about the cunning animals Kantjil and Anansi, or put on the headphones and listen to the story of the brave Hanuman and the beautiful Sita. We hope you take these stories with you and pass them on.
Set Design
Interactive and immersive.
Opening
September 28, 2006
Exhibition Concept
Star in the City, inaugurated by Princess Máxima on September 28, 2006, is an interactive exhibition at Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam. During the Bombay tour, children experience the dynamic life of the Indian metropolis of Bombay, where Bollywood glamour intersects with the challenges of daily life. Through objects, dance, music, scents, and stories from the city’s residents, children learn about the contrasts and resilience of the city.
Children are drawn into the story as fortune seekers, lured to the city by a recruiter, where they quickly find they must start at the bottom. They explore their place in Bombay, stepping into the shoes of residents who are interconnected through commerce and daily life.
Central to the exhibition is the story of Gauri, a girl who, despite her physical limitations, dances and shines as a symbol of resilience. A special music video was filmed in Bombay, featuring vocals by renowned singer Asha Bhosle. Children participate by dancing and are integrated into the video in real-time, which they can take home as a keepsake.
Set Design
Interweaving of formal and informal economy
Additional Information
The exhibition is accompanied by the book Dancing on One Leg, which takes readers on a journey to find a star in the city. The book is filled with photographs and offers a deeper look into life in Bombay.
Opening
September 28, 2006
Exhibition Concept
Star in the City, inaugurated by Princess Máxima on September 28, 2006, is an interactive exhibition at Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam. During the Bombay tour, children experience the dynamic life of the Indian metropolis of Bombay, where Bollywood glamour intersects with the challenges of daily life. Through objects, dance, music, scents, and stories from the city’s residents, children learn about the contrasts and resilience of the city.
Children are drawn into the story as fortune seekers, lured to the city by a recruiter, where they quickly find they must start at the bottom. They explore their place in Bombay, stepping into the shoes of residents who are interconnected through commerce and daily life.
Central to the exhibition is the story of Gauri, a girl who, despite her physical limitations, dances and shines as a symbol of resilience. A special music video was filmed in Bombay, featuring vocals by renowned singer Asha Bhosle. Children participate by dancing and are integrated into the video in real-time, which they can take home as a keepsake.
Set Design
Interweaving of formal and informal economy
Additional Information
The exhibition is accompanied by the book Dancing on One Leg, which takes readers on a journey to find a star in the city. The book is filled with photographs and offers a deeper look into life in Bombay.
Opening
6 May 2006
Exhibition Concept
Layla & Majnun tells the story of Qays, also known as Majnun, and his unattainable love for Layla al-Aamiriya. After her father refuses their marriage, Majnun wanders the desert, writing poems out of love sickness. The exhibition employs interactive technology: when a visitor takes a seat, the storyteller appears on a screen, with relevant parts of the story highlighted visually. The narration is delivered through speakers near the visitor’s ears from the seat itself, ensuring that the sound remains localized, keeping the exhibition space free from repetitive storytelling noise.
Set Design Concept
Interactive storytelling
Opening
6 May 2006
Exhibition Concept
Layla & Majnun tells the story of Qays, also known as Majnun, and his unattainable love for Layla al-Aamiriya. After her father refuses their marriage, Majnun wanders the desert, writing poems out of love sickness. The exhibition employs interactive technology: when a visitor takes a seat, the storyteller appears on a screen, with relevant parts of the story highlighted visually. The narration is delivered through speakers near the visitor’s ears from the seat itself, ensuring that the sound remains localized, keeping the exhibition space free from repetitive storytelling noise.
Set Design Concept
Interactive storytelling
Opening
2006-02-15
Exhibition Concept
The photo exhibition “Batak in Focus” highlights the work of Tasilo Adam, a photographer renowned for documenting the Batak culture. Located in the Tropenmuseum, the exhibition provides a unique glimpse into the traditions, landscapes, and daily practices of the Batak community. The exhibition design emphasizes the visual narrative, bringing the historical photographs to life through thoughtful presentation.
Set Design
Historical photography in a contemporary design.
Opening
2006-02-15
Exhibition Concept
The photo exhibition “Batak in Focus” highlights the work of Tasilo Adam, a photographer renowned for documenting the Batak culture. Located in the Tropenmuseum, the exhibition provides a unique glimpse into the traditions, landscapes, and daily practices of the Batak community. The exhibition design emphasizes the visual narrative, bringing the historical photographs to life through thoughtful presentation.
Set Design
Historical photography in a contemporary design.
Opening
15 February 2006
Exhibition Concept
An exhibition about the influences of Western culture on the Batak community of Sumatra. Presented at the Tropenmuseum (KIT), this exhibition highlights the rich textile culture of the Batak people living in the region around Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Set Design
Connection between culture and textiles.
Curator
Sandra Niessen, PhD (Leiden University, 1985)
Background
Sandra Niessen is a Canadian/Dutch cultural anthropologist. Her fieldwork focuses primarily on the clothing culture of the Batak people and the influence of Western culture on their traditions and practices.
Opening
15 February 2006
Exhibition Concept
An exhibition about the influences of Western culture on the Batak community of Sumatra. Presented at the Tropenmuseum (KIT), this exhibition highlights the rich textile culture of the Batak people living in the region around Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Set Design
Connection between culture and textiles.
Curator
Sandra Niessen, PhD (Leiden University, 1985)
Background
Sandra Niessen is a Canadian/Dutch cultural anthropologist. Her fieldwork focuses primarily on the clothing culture of the Batak people and the influence of Western culture on their traditions and practices.
Opening
2005-11-09
Exhibition Concept
The “Ark of Hope” is a wooden chest created in 2001 by designer and painter Sally Linder to house the Earth Charter document. On its five panels are a series of paintings depicting artistic representations of Air, Water, Fire, Spirit, and Earth.
In the Kartini wing of the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, Studio Daniel Ament designed a seating, exhibition, and activity corner within the pre-existing spatial concept based on the ‘golden grid,’ with “The Ark of Hope” as the central focus. This space invites visitors to engage with the message of the Earth Charter and delve into themes of sustainability and connection.
Opening
2005-11-09
Exhibition Concept
The “Ark of Hope” is a wooden chest created in 2001 by designer and painter Sally Linder to house the Earth Charter document. On its five panels are a series of paintings depicting artistic representations of Air, Water, Fire, Spirit, and Earth.
In the Kartini wing of the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, Studio Daniel Ament designed a seating, exhibition, and activity corner within the pre-existing spatial concept based on the ‘golden grid,’ with “The Ark of Hope” as the central focus. This space invites visitors to engage with the message of the Earth Charter and delve into themes of sustainability and connection.
Opening
2005-05-15
Exhibition Concept
The exhibition “Kids at Iran” is part of a cultural exchange project between children from Amsterdam and Tehran, organized by Tropenmuseum Junior. The project was conducted via the internet, and the results of the collaborative efforts were showcased in the museum.
Through a website with video calling, children from Iran and the Netherlands gained insight into each other’s lives. Over two and a half years, kids from Amsterdam and Tehran wrote, chatted, and interacted via webcam. They asked each other questions, shared photos and videos about their lives, and expressed their ideas on everyday life themes through animations, paintings, and sculptures. These creative outputs were exhibited in the museum showcases.
Set Design
Cultural exchange through children’s art.
Opening
2005-05-15
Exhibition Concept
The exhibition “Kids at Iran” is part of a cultural exchange project between children from Amsterdam and Tehran, organized by Tropenmuseum Junior. The project was conducted via the internet, and the results of the collaborative efforts were showcased in the museum.
Through a website with video calling, children from Iran and the Netherlands gained insight into each other’s lives. Over two and a half years, kids from Amsterdam and Tehran wrote, chatted, and interacted via webcam. They asked each other questions, shared photos and videos about their lives, and expressed their ideas on everyday life themes through animations, paintings, and sculptures. These creative outputs were exhibited in the museum showcases.
Set Design
Cultural exchange through children’s art.
Opening
2004-10-21
Exhibition Concept
The exhibition “From Colony to Republic” showcases the work of military photographer Tallie, who documented the transition from colony to republic. Hosted at the Tropenmuseum, the photo and object exhibition provides a historical perspective on this transformative period, featuring compelling images that highlight the political, social, and cultural changes of the time. The exhibition design combines visual and tactile elements to bring the complexity of this era to life.
Set Design
Depicting the transition from colony to republic.
Opening
2004-10-21
Exhibition Concept
The exhibition “From Colony to Republic” showcases the work of military photographer Tallie, who documented the transition from colony to republic. Hosted at the Tropenmuseum, the photo and object exhibition provides a historical perspective on this transformative period, featuring compelling images that highlight the political, social, and cultural changes of the time. The exhibition design combines visual and tactile elements to bring the complexity of this era to life.
Set Design
Depicting the transition from colony to republic.
Opening
2004-07-10
Exhibition Concept
The overview exhibition of the Tropenmuseum provides a unique perspective on the museum’s rich and diverse collection. The spatial design and activity development are specially crafted to actively engage visitors with the stories behind the displayed objects. The exhibition combines modern and traditional elements to highlight the cultural and historical significance of the collection.
Set Design
Interaction between space, objects, and visitors.
Opening
2004-07-10
Exhibition Concept
The overview exhibition of the Tropenmuseum provides a unique perspective on the museum’s rich and diverse collection. The spatial design and activity development are specially crafted to actively engage visitors with the stories behind the displayed objects. The exhibition combines modern and traditional elements to highlight the cultural and historical significance of the collection.
Set Design
Interaction between space, objects, and visitors.
Opening
2003
Exhibition Concept
Paradise&Co is an exhibition about Iran, delving deep into history, with pre-Islamic Persia as a major source of inspiration. The seven regions of Iran are highlighted, and the Shahnameh, a poetry collection for kings, provides many of the stories for the exhibition.
In Amsterdam’s (formerly) Tropenmuseum Junior (now Wereldmuseum Junior), a tile artwork is growing. The museum walls are covered with scenes from the Shahnameh, a thousand-year-old Persian epic by the poet Ferdosi. In faint blue lines, like a pre-printed cross-stitch embroidery pattern, elegant miniatures are blown up to wall size.
The six thousand tiles are painted by children from all over the Netherlands in the temporary workshop, using pigments and glaze specifically intended for that precise square decimeter. According to the plan, the tiled wall would be completed in 2.5 years, coinciding with the end of the Paradise&Co exhibition.
Thousands of children beat drums in awkward rhythms, experienced wearing a veil, baked chickpea cookies in the reconstructed teahouse, practiced calligraphy, listened to stories, and sang a song in Farsi: «Beautiful flower, open up, darling, it’s spring». These activities allowed the children to engage all their senses to learn about Iran.
This aligns with the approach of Tropenmuseum Junior: always searching for «forms where objects, intangible culture, stories, activities, and children can be brought together in the most beautiful way possible».
Set Design
Tile artwork of 6,000 child-glazed tiles.
Opening
2003
Exhibition Concept
Paradise&Co is an exhibition about Iran, delving deep into history, with pre-Islamic Persia as a major source of inspiration. The seven regions of Iran are highlighted, and the Shahnameh, a poetry collection for kings, provides many of the stories for the exhibition.
In Amsterdam’s (formerly) Tropenmuseum Junior (now Wereldmuseum Junior), a tile artwork is growing. The museum walls are covered with scenes from the Shahnameh, a thousand-year-old Persian epic by the poet Ferdosi. In faint blue lines, like a pre-printed cross-stitch embroidery pattern, elegant miniatures are blown up to wall size.
The six thousand tiles are painted by children from all over the Netherlands in the temporary workshop, using pigments and glaze specifically intended for that precise square decimeter. According to the plan, the tiled wall would be completed in 2.5 years, coinciding with the end of the Paradise&Co exhibition.
Thousands of children beat drums in awkward rhythms, experienced wearing a veil, baked chickpea cookies in the reconstructed teahouse, practiced calligraphy, listened to stories, and sang a song in Farsi: «Beautiful flower, open up, darling, it’s spring». These activities allowed the children to engage all their senses to learn about Iran.
This aligns with the approach of Tropenmuseum Junior: always searching for «forms where objects, intangible culture, stories, activities, and children can be brought together in the most beautiful way possible».
Set Design
Tile artwork of 6,000 child-glazed tiles.