The aim of the Linden Museum’s shadow theatre exhibition was to showcase previously unseen items as well as recently rediscovered collection pieces.

The mysterious interplay between light and shadow is not only treated thematically, but is further transformed into spatial design. This design is oriented towards the extraordinary theme of this interplay: An exhibition room that is kept stringently black with areas illuminated by white spotlights. Only the content that is meant to be communicated – exhibits and texts – is presented on these surfaces. By means of carefully directed lighting, the rare and historical shadow puppets are specially accentuated. A breathtaking quality in both attention to detail and aesthetics, allowing visitors to sense for themselves what it really feels like to be in a shadow theatre. Accompanied by lifelike scenes and laden with emotion, with invitations for visitors to try things out themselves, the exhibition brought the rich history of narrative tradition to life, with music, song, images and video sequences transforming a museum visit into an experience of the senses.