Of special concrete and Netflix worms: Exhibition on the broadcast of the university

The special exhibition "Wunderkammer modern - 50 Jahre Universität Kassel" can be seen from October 15 to January 9 at the Stadtmuseum Kassel. In it, organizer and curator Prof. Dr. Martina Sitt uses 50 objects from 50 years of university history to show the innovative and aesthetic dimension of scientific processes and their effect on the environment, society, cultural life and the economy.

In selecting the objects of individual research projects, the focus was on their originality, vividness and significance for the city and region, not primarily on scientific excellence. "It's not about a scientific performance show," emphasizes curator Martina Sitt. "It's more important that guests learn about the work of a university from a kind of bird's eye view and see it with new eyes in the city of Kassel. It's about visualizing exciting projects, about the question of what knowledge is disseminated in what way." The items range from a worm that plays a role for Netflix, to patented inventions that are successful in the region and throughout Germany, to impulses that the university gives to schools in the region.

Head of Culture Dr. Susanne Völker explained, "Kassel is widely seen as a vibrant city shaped by science and culture. One of the key factors in this positive change is the close interaction between the university, business, culture, urban society and institutions. The new special exhibition in the City Museum makes this development of the last five decades visible to the visitors of the City Museum in a stimulating and aesthetically sophisticated way. For this, our heartfelt thanks go to all those involved around curator Prof. Dr. Martina Sitt as well as museum director Dr. Kai Füldner."

In addition to the City of Kassel, the Kasseler Sparkasse also supported the exhibition. Ingo Buchholz, Chairman of the Board of Kasseler Sparkasse, emphasized, "A research-strong university makes a significant contribution to the positive development of our Kassel region. Kasseler Sparkasse is also interested in this and is therefore very happy to support the university!"

For Sitt, preparing the exhibition was also a search for clues: "We scientists are often focused on content, thoughts, texts. But often it's objects that tell stories, objects that need to be rediscovered." For example, she found a map in the former office of an environmental scientist that quite accurately predicted in which areas of the world water would become scarce - the map is 30 years old, back then hardly anyone outside the scientific community wanted to believe the prediction, now it is oppressively topical.

The "Wunderkammer modern" exhibition will be complemented by lectures and a hands-on activity for children. It is part of the anniversary program with which the North Hessian university is celebrating its birthday: it began operating as a comprehensive university in 1971 and became a university in 2003. Martina Sitt has held a professorship in art history since 2010 after 20 years as a curator in various German museums.

Special exhibition Wunderkammer modern: October 15-January 9. Stadtmuseum Kassel, Ständeplatz 16. Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission four euros, reduced three euros, free admission for students of the University of Kassel and for children and young people up to 18 years of age. Attendance at the lectures is free of charge.

Further information at:
https://50jahre-unikassel.de/ausstellung-stadtmuseum/