The Existential and Aesthetic Aspects of The History Museum at The Turn of The Century

Abstract

The paper discusses the new history museum formula, interpreted in terms of existentialist philosophy and against the background of the tragic experience of the twentieth century. Firstly, the concept of museum in the context of Roman Ingarden’s theory of the work of art is presented, in the view of which the museum space can be considered as initiating the aesthetic experience where – through the act of aesthetic values actualization – metaphysical qualities can be revealed. Secondly, the modern discoursive formula of history museums is analysed, as exemplified by Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum in Berlin and the Museum of Warsaw Uprising in the capital of Poland. Such museums introduce a truly existential approach towards the represented past. Martin Heidegger’s philosophy is quoted in this context, to show how within the aesthetically built museum space, the visitors are supposed to experience a symbolically reconstructed history, seen from the present existential perspective. Modern exhibitions tend to accomplish this purpose by offering shocking and strong emotions. Such symbolic though traumatic experience is believed to contribute to the transformation of Dasein towards the authentic existence.