Shifting Image

An exhibition revealing the many perspectives surrounding Dutch colonial history.

Mauritshuis, The Hague (NL), 2019

Bust of Johan Maurits positioned in front of a wall covered with identical sculpted heads. Around the room, visitors observe large colonial paintings and immersive wall projections of tropical landscapes and ruins.

Overview

The Mauritshuis Museum examines the legacy of Johan Maurits, Count of Nassau-Siegen, focusing on his governance of the Dutch colony in Brazil and his involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The exhibition explores how colonial history is represented through historical artifacts, contemporary reflections, and interactive installations.

  • Exhibition room with colonial portraits and a timeline wall. A large painting of a woman accompanied by a white child and a Black child dominates the foreground, while visitors quietly observe other paintings in the surroundings.
  • A woman interacts with a touchscreen display in front of a large, ornately framed portrait of Johan Maurits. In the background, projected images and a smaller portraits of two Black men are visible.
  • Close-up of a woman gazing at a large colonial painting depicting a noblewoman with children. The woman stands in a dark gallery lit by focused spotlights on the artworks.
  • Two women explore a gallery space featuring a detailed white architectural model and framed portraits of Black men. On the left wall, an exhibition timeline in Dutch and English provides historical context.

Contribution

I led the design of the exhibition’s multimedia elements, shaping an experience that encouraged visitors to engage with multiple perspectives on the past. Through projections, visual storytelling, and symbolic installations, the exhibition invited audiences to reflect on the impact of colonialism and the ways history is narrated.

  • Gallery scene with a bust of Johan Maurits in the center, surrounded by wall-mounted colonial paintings and immersive projections of exotic landscapes. Several visitors explore the room independently.
  • White architectural model of a classical building, made of imitation sugar cubes and displayed under a spotlight. The model sits on a circular base covered in loose sugar cubes, all set within a dark exhibition room.
  • A woman stands closely in front of a large colonial portrait of a white woman accompanied by a Black servant. Projected market scenes and paintings are layered across the back wall.
  • Side view of a woman reading from a touchscreen next to a large white architectural model of a neoclassical building, made of imitation sugar cubes. The installation is surrounded by a base of loose sugar cubes and illuminated in a dark room.

Key achievements

  • Developed the interpretive strategy for a sensitive topic
  • Built a narrative to to encourage dialogue and reflection
  • Helped shape a high-visibility national exhibition
  • Recognized with 7+ international design awards
  • Facilitated dialogue around identity and representation
  • Panoramic view of the exhibition room with a timeline wall, large projected colonial portraits, and a seated visitor. The bust of Johan Maurits appears in the foreground, partially turned.
  • Bust of Johan Maurits in a spotlight, set against a textured wall covered in repeating versions of the same sculpted face. The statue’s elaborate military uniform and expression are clearly visible.
  • A young woman stands in front of a series of framed landscape paintings, attentively engaging with a touchscreen. Projected scenes of natural environments extend across the walls in the background.
  • Interactive panel titled “Wat vraagt u zich af?” (“What would you like to know?”) invites visitors to reflect on the legacy of Johan Maurits and colonial history, featuring a mix of Dutch and English explanatory text and survey questions.

Awards

AVICOM F@IMP 2.0 2020:
Winner | Scenography
FX Design Award 2020:
Finalist | Museum or Exhibition Space
Museums + Heritage Award 2020:
Winner | The International Project of the Year < £1m
European Design Awards 2020:
Bronze | Exhibition Design
Frame Awards 2020:
Longlist | Exhibition of the Year
Muse Design Awards 2019:
Gold | Interior Design Exhibits, Pavilions, & Exhibitions
SBID Awards 2019:
Nomination | Public Space Design

Credits

Role: Art Director | Lead Designer
Employer: Studio Louter
Client: Mauritshuis
Photography: Mike Bink

© All rights reserved to Studio Louter

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