National Archives of the Netherlands - The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace

National Archives of the Netherlands, The Hague (NL), 2013

In an enchanted world of boxes, 11 artists brought 11 documents to life. Who said archives were boring?

Photo: Anne Reitsma

An accessible archive

The National Archives of the Netherlands were remodelled. Various public spaces were added to make the institution more accessible to visitors. The exhibition ‘The Memory Palace’ established the archive as a worthwhile destination for museumgoers.

Photos: Anne Reitsma

A world of boxes

Amid a world of boxes, 11 very different artists created 11 mini-exhibitions based on documents from the collection. A large data visualisation at the heart of the show rendered the archive as an interactive world and offered access to a wealth of information about the archive and its users.

“Every room is a unique experience and a unique interpretation of the material, but it is all tied into the history and the utility of the Archive itself.”

Museums + Heritage Awards — 27 June 2014

Photos: Anne Reitsma

Credits

Client
National Archives of the Netherlands

Content Design
Studio Louter

Spatial Design
Todd van Hulzen Design

Graphic Design
Studio Louter

Film Production
Mette Menting

Interactive Media Production
Studio Louter

Light Design
Tinus Holthuis

Construction
Bruns, IHC Interior

Hardware
Bazelmans AVR


Artists
Los Digitalos, Ricky Koole, Szostak Schellekens, Stout & Smits, Ad van Liempt, Helmert Woudenberg, Ibanez & Duyx, SLeM, Xtra, Cristina Garcia Martin, Wunderbaum

Awards 

The Luigi Micheletti Award 2015
Winner

Museums + Heritage Awards 2014
Winner | The International Award