Project Title:  Feast of a Thousand Years 

Museum/ Institution: Provinciaal Museum t'Ename, 50km west of Brussels, Belgium 

Media Category: Object Theater

Program Created: September 11, 1998

Program URL (if available):   http://www.ename974.org/Eng/pagina/museum_feest.html

Project Image(s) and/or Video

Media Source(s)/Credit(s):

http://www.ename974.org/Eng/pagina/museum_feest.html

Program Description: (150-250 words)

The “Feast of a Thousand Years” is a room that contains a single domed exhibit case with twenty-four historical objects.  Associated to each object is a mannequin on the other side of the room, representing a person who is somehow related to the object.  The mannequins are arranged as though at a feast table.  Visitors select an object by pressing a button on the case, illuminating both the object and the mannequin.  At the same time, information about each is projected on a video screen by the table, including a brief look at the life of the person as portrayed by a professional costumed actor.  The feast table is based on an annual tradition in Ename, and the historical figures span many centuries (as well as social classes and occupations), thus the project name.  Each object/character’s video lasts several minutes, with the total for all twenty-four nearing two hours.  The “Feast of a Thousand Years” provides context for objects that might otherwise have obscure meaning.

Firsthand or secondary review/critique: (150-250 words) 

While I have been to Belgium, I have not been out of the airport.  But this object theater seems like a well-done piece of multimedia that incorporates quite a bit of history.  The concept is fairly simple, but it works.  At first I thought it was strange for such a wide range of people to be assembled at one feast table, but it provides a succinct look at a large span of time; it is like all of Ename’s history seated together for a meal.  Since this is object-based, the people are of an everyday sort, ranging from a 10^th-century Lord to a 19^th-century gypsy woman.  These historical figures give a face to everyday objects, adding to the context in which the object was used.  I wish I had been able to find more information on which particular items are in the display case, but from the picture, they look like small objects of the tool variety.  I think the use of the mannequins and the video projection is a good combination.  It is not campy like it would be if only an audio track would play when the character is illuminated.  It helps to see the person in action.  Overall, I think this is a good use of multimedia in an object-based theater.

Technologies incorporated:

Video projection and audio, special lighting, push-button activation

Internally or externally produced: Try as I might, I could not find out for sure.  I will say that since their staff consists of only eight people, my guess is externally.

Entry Contributor and Date: Leah Juster 04/01/11

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