The End of the Second World War – Work in Progress!

The Museum Laboratory continuously re-examines the Yugoslav heritage, so, on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we focus on that turning point in world and Yugoslav history. The curators, each from their own angle, in some places on the exhibition, emphasized some of the historical moments, the ways of remembering the war, the segments of the newly established value system and the foundations of the new society.

Following the flexible way of working on the setting, we decided to introduce the changes gradually and openly. On weekdays, during August and September, the audience can find museum workers solving conceptual and practical dilemmas in front of open showcases, choosing exhibits, setting up and fitting texts. Visitors are invited to comment on the spot and intervene where they think they should.

The current exhibition, Museum Laboratory, starts from the collections and a museum object, as the main resource. We explore social phenomena, achievements and historical moments important for understanding the experience of life in Yugoslavia. The main motive for this exhibition is the turbulent history of the Museum of Yugoslavia, but also re-examination of the concept of heritage in general. By materializing the situation in the Museum of Yugoslavia, we are establishing an open experimental process of (re)creating the heritage of Yugoslavia. Illustrating the courses of the (new) reading of the Museum’s collection, at the exhibition we confronted the two main segments of that reading, which are dominated by Tito’s memorabilia and the socialist revolution. The sporadic expansion of the fund in the last twenty years, from the founding of the Museum of Yugoslavia (former Museum of Yugoslav History) in 1996 until today, is also shown. In addition to the curators, other experts, creators and audience are involved in the research.