The Humboldt Forum is a new museum of non-European art on the Museum Island in the historic centre of Berlin (Germany). The museum is open for the time being only digitally, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They named it in honour of the Prussian scholars Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt. The former royal palace facades were rebuilt, and the modern interior was designed by the famous architect Franco Stella. Also, on the eastern side of the Forum, a modern exterior facade has been added. The facace has a viewing platform just above the surface of the water on the banks of the River Spree. The Humboldt Forum incorporates two former museums, the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and the Museum of Asian Art.
Visiting Humboldt Forum
Starting in the impressive foyer on the ground floor, visitors can see how high-rise modern gallery walls connect with the reconstructed palace portal. In the sculpture hall, they can admire the original sandstone figures from the castle facades. Also, they can explore the building’s history in the palace cellar, where archaeologists uncovered the remains of the mediaeval Dominican monastery and the palace foundations.
On the first floor, the Berlin exhibition offers a surprising special view of Berlin. The exhibits on this floor are related to the history of the city. Also, they offer a way to understand how the global developments have influenced and shaped Berlin. It also asks what impact Berlin has had on the world. The museum also houses the new Humboldt Laboratory, a project of Berlin’s Humboldt University. The Laboratory is a workshop for all those who want to take part in the process of scientific research and discuss global problems and challenges such as climate change, environmental destruction and species extinction.
From autumn 2021, the Forum will host, on the second and third floors, a unique exhibition with outstanding exhibits from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. The exhibits date from the 5th millennium B.C. to the present day. These artefacts come from the world-renowned collections of the Ethological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin. They will include Chinese court art, richly decorated houses from Palau, bronze and ivory reliefs from Benin and stelae from Guatemala.
With the purpose to inspire
The museum brings outstanding collections together under one roof and offers a varied programme of exhibitions, events, educational activities and digital experiences, inspiring visitors to gain new insights into the world of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
For more information about the Museum, visit the official website: humboldtforum.org.
The article has been published in the 3rd issue of the digital travel magazine Voyagers Voice: voyagersvoice.com
