The Berlin “Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge” turns its visitors into “thing caretakers” and uses the care contributions to finance acid-free boxes and cleaning of its objects Advertorial Article Parallax Article Purzel, the little Aral man, was still available until recently. So was the potato masher, as well as a wooden hand and a light blue drip catcher. They are all waiting for their “thing keeper”, […]
The Berlin “Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge” turns its visitors into “object caretakers” and uses the care contributions to finance acid-free boxes and cleaning of its objects
Purzel, the little Aral man, was still available until recently. So was the potato masher, as well as a wooden hand and a light blue drip catcher. They are all waiting for their “thing keeper”, a sponsor who takes care of a museum piece for a year and for a minimum of 40 euros and a maximum of 500 euros.
The so-called “Dingpflegschaften” are an idea of the Berlin “Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge”, a very special institution in the Berlin museum landscape. The focus here is on everyday objects, design without big names – although there are also many well-known designer pieces. Presented in large cabinet showcases, sometimes arranged by color, sometimes by shape or purpose, visitors are presented with new contexts and original views of their mundane everyday world.
The museum thus offers nothing less than an homage to the frequently used objects of everyday life that are usually only appreciated for their functionality: coffee pots, ashtrays, keys, light switches, tools, toys.
For the past eight years, the museum has always held a “thing care day” at the beginning of December, giving visitors the opportunity to choose exhibits on site, negotiate a care fee and then have their “own” exhibit in the museum for a year. The “hope cow” has been given a keeper in this way, as has the Melitta quick filter number 102, and a reservation has already been made for a baby rattle.
Many other pieces are still waiting. The museum concludes a total of 120-140 care contracts with its visitors from all over Germany every year. Some have been looking after “their” object for years, others change. The caretakers include companies, families and many enthusiasts.
“Of course, an object care association like this is a communication tool,” says museum director Renate Flagmeier. “Other museums have patrons’ associations, but we have our thing keepers.” However, it’s not just about visitor loyalty. The money that comes into the museum with the sponsorships is used specifically for restoration, maintenance and acquisition. With the approximately 6,000 euros that are raised annually through the “Dingpflegschaften”, the sponsors enable the museum’s “things” to live in acid-free boxes and folders. The money also helps with minor repairs and cleaning. This is enough for most objects. For larger restoration projects, the museum does have to apply for funding.
Anyone who missed this year’s Thing Care Day can sign up for a sponsorship on the museum’s website. At this address, there is a colorful range of small and large, forgotten, cherished, no longer used everyday “things” that would like to be cared for.
