We are Now
Jewish Museum Frankfurt

The Jewish Museum in Frankfurt opens with a multifaceted and multimedia permanent exhibition in the historic home of the Rothschild family while also inaugurating a new building. Starting from the present, the exhibition portrays important historical events and conflicts, addresses the changing traditions and rituals of modern times, and imparts a variety of stories from a Jewish perspective.

Tweaklab planned and composed the specifications for the majority of the media installations in the exhibition.

Visitors are greeted by a installation that speaks to them directly. As soon as they step in front of three video wall monitors, six sensors and a microcontroller trigger videos of various people welcoming them to the exhibition.
A sensory double projection with edge-blending tells the world-famous story of the Rothschild family.
In front of the video projection lies a table on which various objects such as a wine bottle are placed. Some of these objects are illuminated by a DMX-controlled spotlight so that they cast a shadow on the projection and interact with the video: real and animated shadows mix and are supplemented with superimposed text.
The station "Torah and Modernity" consists of two models of synagogues in Frankfurt, which sit atop monitors. Three different audio files on the history of intra-Jewish conflict over the Torah and modernity can be activated via buttons: "Sounds", "Torah and Prayer", and "Men and Women". The models are synchronized to the content and illuminated by the monitors from the inside. For example, it is shown through which entrance men or women are allowed to enter the synagogue, and where they are allowed to sit.
In the room "Emancipation and Awakening", an approximately two-meter-wide "smart glass", situated in front of a window, displays a video by means of a rear projection. Triggered by sensors, the projector starts automatically and the smart glass is switched from transparent to opaque by applying an electric current. After the film, the pane becomes transparent again.
What is very poetic about this realization is that a picture of Moses with the tablets of the law is placed in the room exactly opposite and is thus subtly reflected on the projection surface.
For "Destroyed Life Stories," iPads were built into leather books, on which various life stories can be viewed as soon as a book is opened. The impressive media-portraits recount tales of survival under National Socialism. Additionally, LED displays graphically illuminate the names of the people.
Tweaklab was responsible for the planning and the programming of these described stations, as well as others within the exhibition.
The charming installation "Innovation and Modernity" portrays Jewish researchers through archival material. For this, seven video projections of various sizes are shown on panels staggered behind and next to each other: historical photographs, videos and manuscripts are cleverly overlayed on the different surfaces so that they can become aligned when viewed from the bench, which is situated to offer the right perspective.
The ambient sound is complemented by a German and English audio track, which the visitor can listen to via handset.
Using the "Museum To Go" application, developed especially for the museum, visitors can "collect" films, sounds, or even further information from various interactive stations spread throughout the museum, which can then be viewed again at home after the museum visit, without having to buy an exhibition catalog. These "collection points" exist as small boxes that are backlit with LEDs and pulsate slightly in idle mode. As soon as a ticket which is embedded with a RFID chip is held close to it, the LED circles are animated from the inside to the outside, indicating activation.
Additionally, there are various video and audio stations, as well as a listening station within a small cave that is specially designed for children.

Location: Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt
Museography: teamstratenwerth Basel | Space4 Stuttgart
Media conception: teamstratenwerth Basel

New permanent exhibition from 20.10.2020