Δ Posters in Africa

A popular, and individual, placard culture has developed in many African states: placards are sold as calenders or posters and hung in homes and semi-public places, such as lottery booths, eateries and bars. Many of these placards have been influenced by the european tradition used by many sign-writers in the 80s. 

On display is a collection of c. 90 present day placards from Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Placards such as these inspire the trends developed by hair-dressers, dress makers and cabinetmakers, and provide a commentary on the latest world current events, practise social criticism and encourage reform.

Some placards vividly show how State-run (and non-State run) organisations attempt to publicise their campaigns against such problems as HIV and domestic violence. Placards used as election propaganda are also on view. 

In addition to the placards, collected in West Africa by the Frankfurt-born enthnologist Wendelin Schmidt for this exhibition, the Historische Museum in Frankfurt have contributed four historical cartoons, dating from 19th Century Europe.

The exhibits are displayed in eight rooms in Galerie 37, and are thematically grouped together as follows: European cartoons; Placards by the Nigerian painter R. Nkwonta; football placards, Ghanaian poster for funeral celebrations; educational placards, Campaigns, Crafts and Fashion, Current politics, social criticism, Secret economy; True Life Stories, Lottery booths; Videos, Christian and Muslim calender placards.

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Δ Naga

Thirty ethnic groups of Tibeto-Burmese origin – the Naga – inhabit the remote region of Northeast-India which stretches to Upper Burma. It was restricted to all foreign access for 65 years and is therefore perceived as “Asias last great mystery”. During hundreds of years in seclusion the Naga, who were notorious for their headhunting activities, developed extraordinary and unique forms of culture.

It took almost ten years of negotiation before the curators of the exhibition, the Frankfurt based couple Dr. Aglaja Stirn and Peter van Ham, explorers-cum-authors and photographers, were granted special permission to undertake extensive comprehensive fieldwork in the lofty hill regions - the first time since Indian Independence in 1947. They have recently published the first part of their work in the book “The Hidden World of the Naga – Living Tradition in Northeast India and Burma” (Prestel 2003).

In 30 large photographs this first exhibition, focussing on the contemporary cultures of the Naga, creates an impression of their living traditions such as festivals, arts, architecture, crafts and religion. The photos are combined with special artefacts, never exhibited before, from the curators’ private collections, the collections Wittich/Jäger, von Miller and Franzke, and the Museum’s archives.

Music of the Naga, recorded by the curators, introduces the visitors into the unique worlds of sound of the Naga.

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Δ Bali. Life in two worlds

Cracks, or leaks, have appeared in the holiday paradise of Bali, where millions of tourists flock every year.

Rama Surya has tried to capture the thrilling, complex but also sometimes amusing contrasts between the traditional and modern Bali in his black and white photographs.

His pictures contradict diametrically the glossy tourist brochures, whose bright, vibrant colours depict Bali as an Island of the Gods, a tropical paradise.

This exhibition, “Bali. Life in two Worlds”, consists of 35 works by the photographer Rama Surya. These are complimented by ten photographs dating from the 1920s & 1930s, as well as fascinating ethnographical objects from the vaults of the Frankfurt Museum of World Culture which lend a tangible connection to Rama Suryas photographs. The aim is to bring into focus the co-existence of Bali’s diverse cultural aspects and the influence the rest of the world has on the Balinese community.

Rama Surya has been Photographic Editor of the magazine Latitudes in Bali since 2000. He lives with his wife, the writer Susi Andrini, and their two children in Sanur, Bali.

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Δ Indian Times

The word “Indians” recalls feather bonnets and horses, totems, manitou, and scalping. “Indian Times” – a different kind of “Indian” exhibition – was conceived and created in collaboration with a team of anthropologists and students at the University of Frankfurt. It takes a closer look at five historical regions, which are well represented in the Museum of World Culture's own collections, before the backdrop of the specifically German fascination with “Indians”.

In addition “Indian Times” illustrates the cultural diversity of Native North America in selected fields: Men and women; masking and trade associations; basketry, style; tourism and tourist art; media and music. “Indian Times” finally takes a look at the prospects for the Native peoples in the 21st century after five hundred years of culture contact and globalization.

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