BISJ POLES
Tropenmuseum
In the central atrium of the Tropenmuseum, the Lichthal (literally ‘Hall of Light’), we made a spatial installation of 58 bisj poles. These beautifully carved wooden sculptures stretching several metres high are monuments commemorating the dead and play an important role in the bisj ceremony, the ceremony of the Asmat people in Papua New Guinea. The majority of the poles had been lying in various depots in the Netherlands more than 50 years and were brought together one-time-only for this exhibition. Our task was not only to see these poles as beautiful artworks, but to bring the accompanying ritual and ceremony to life.
- Location
- Amsterdam (NL)
- Client
- Tropenmuseum
- Year
- 2007
From outsider to participant
Three-part collage
Different perspectives
We also had special film productions made, which can be seen on the outside by the side of the stage. Various people share their vision on the ritual and its significance from different perspectives. The museum curator discusses the museum collection perspective, for example, and there are interviews with Papuans about the rituals of the bisj ceremony made by filmmakers who travelled to the Asmat territory.
Three-part collage
Awards
D&AD Awards London 2008
- Environmental Design/Exhibtions, winner
International Design Excellence Awards
- Environments, winner
Designpreis Deutschland 2011
- Nominated
