The Jewish Museum – A ReviewSusannah Reid

SITE AND AUTHORIntroduction

The Jewish MuseumOpened September 9, 2001.Completed in 1999, but stood empty for 2 years.Architect = Daniel Liebeskind

His first actual built project.

Susannah Reid Author of this reviewFrom University of Newcastle, London.Visited and wrote in 2001 – two weeks post opening.

Purpose of Reid’s Review Focus on the interaction between architecture and

building function to determine how successful the project has been in creating a modern museum for the public.

What Is Examined1) Visitor Orientation2) Exhibition & Exhibition Design3) Museum Fatigue4) Additional Facilities

VISITOR ORIENTATION#1

The Jewish Museum – Inside and Out

Outside façade.

Overview of Viewer Orientation Difficult due to building• Intended to be “confusing and threatening”

Entry through Berlin Museum• Through tunnel• Splits into three tunnels

Each represents a way Germany lot its JewsDisplay cases – individual use, not museum’s!

1) Garden2) Holocaust Tower3) Stairs to Exhibition

Exhibition itelf:• Long, narrow, and zigzagging• Interspersed with “voids”

Reid’s Judgment: Recommended order of touring:

1) Exhibit2) Axis of Holocaust3) Axis of Garden

ConfusingNot designed with visitors in mind.

EXHIBIT & ITS DESIGN#2

The Original Purpose – Exhibition!

Beyond architecture…

Overview of the Exhibit

Covers ALL of Jewish history in Germany. Lots of “namedropping”• Source of controversy!• Too “Disney”-fied?

Highlights similarities and differences between German and Jewish life.

Aimed at people w/ little background knowledge.

Includes interactive elements.Interspersed with “voids”

Reid’s Judgment:

Exhibition doesn’t have much to do with the architecture of the building, BUT….• … the exhibition and architecture

complement each other.

MUSEUM FATIGUE#3

What is “Museum Fatigue”?

Reid’s Judgment:

Avoided in this exhibit!!• Voids and architecture keep your

attention fresh.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES#4

Overview of Additional Facilities:

Offices, workshops, libraries.Not enough space!• Designed for 150,000 visitors per year,

but getting 700,000.Difficult disabled access.

CLOSING REMARKS & DISCUSSIONIn Conclusion

Reid’s Conclusion:

Iconic buildingWorks well with the exhibit Bad visitor orientation

Overall, a very good museum – must see!!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What would the Jewish Museum look like if you designed it?

To what degree should the building and exhibit complement each other?

Is the “confusing and threatening” visitor orientation beneficial to the purpose of the museum? Why or why not?

Critics have argue that there is too much empty space in the museum due to weird angles and slants – do you agree?