Of scythes, half-timbering and bricoleurs — Lasse Peters 

"Of scythes, half-timbering and bricoleurs" is an attempt to talk about the most widespread museum category in Germany: The Heimatmuseum.

Charged with numerous notions and clichés, from dark crammed chambers, to dry mediation of history, to the glorification of the good old days, they seem to belong to the museums of the past. Clichés are often based on a kernel of truth. Still, in their multiplicity and in the shadow of the much-received, so-called big museums, the approaches and practices of amateur museums offer possible answers to questions about the future of all museums, especially the question: How to exhibit?

To follow up on the question, three case studies from the Karlsruhe area are shown. Their similarities and differences allow one to think about an expanded form of Heimatmuseum. The focus is not on a critical approach to content and aesthetics, but on making structures, actors and exhibition practices visible. Based on the principle of bricolage, found photographs, models and other ephemera from the museums are shown. The temporary exhibition space, constructed from cupboard walls from the last 60 years, takes up the social aspects of local museums that go beyond mere exhibiting.

"Of scythes, half-timbering and bricoleurs" is ultimately a plea for a collaborative, glocal and explorative exhibiting that understands the absence of perfection as the greatest opportunity.