‘Escape Road’ exhibition opens at Swakop Museum
Fun while exploring
The museum has three exhibitions running concurrently.
The Swakopmund Museum is hosting an exhibition titled 'Escape Road', which kicked off on Wednesday and includes an open day on Saturday.
Nadine Phiri, the Swakopmund Museum curator, explained that the concept of the exhibition is inspired by an escape room.
“Most people don't know what an escape room is. In an escape room, you get different clues, and you have to find your way out. You answer questions, search for clues and ultimately escape the room. The Escape Road exhibition is similar, but instead of a room, we have 26 posters hanging in the museum. Visitors will receive a questionnaire and will need to find the answers based on the clues provided on the posters.”
Phiri said the exhibition allows visitors to take an inspirational journey through the museum.
“It's something fun to do in December and January for all visitors and the Swakopmund community at large. The clues focus on women who have won the Nobel Prize or the Abel Prize. Most people are familiar with the Nobel Prize, which recognises achievements in literature, physics and other fields. The Abel Prize, however, is awarded for exceptional achievements in mathematics and is often given to women under 40.”
She explained that the posters provide biographies of these women, telling their stories and detailing why they won the Nobel or Abel Prize in their respective categories. The goal is to shine a light on their work, providing young girls and women with inspiring role models to encourage them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Swakop at night
Additionally, the Open Day, hosted annually on 21 December, is a highlight for visitors.
“The special part of this day is that the Swakopmund Museum will remain open until 21:00, and entry is free of charge. We are participating in the Swakopmund at Night initiative, where various shops and institutions will stay open until 21:00,” Phiri said.
Meaning and tragedy
The Swakopmund Museum is home to a variety of exhibits.
“We have something for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, geology fans and archaeology buffs. Basically, we offer a little bit of everything. So, if you find yourself a little bit bored in Swakopmund and not sure what to do – pop in at the Swakopmund Museum.”
In addition to Escape Road, the 'Disentangled' exhibition by Dr Lara de Harde, a South African curator and researcher, is also on show currently.
It explores the importance of preserving artefacts and explores how meaning can sometimes get lost in translation.
“We also have the Shark Island exhibition currently on display, which will likely remain until the end of January. This exhibition is more sombre, as it focuses on the concentration camp that once existed there. It is based on archaeological research conducted by the Landesmuseum Hannover. It’s worth seeing, as it sheds light on an important, albeit tragic, part of our history,” Phiri said.
The Swakopmund Museum is open Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00.
Nadine Phiri, the Swakopmund Museum curator, explained that the concept of the exhibition is inspired by an escape room.
“Most people don't know what an escape room is. In an escape room, you get different clues, and you have to find your way out. You answer questions, search for clues and ultimately escape the room. The Escape Road exhibition is similar, but instead of a room, we have 26 posters hanging in the museum. Visitors will receive a questionnaire and will need to find the answers based on the clues provided on the posters.”
Phiri said the exhibition allows visitors to take an inspirational journey through the museum.
“It's something fun to do in December and January for all visitors and the Swakopmund community at large. The clues focus on women who have won the Nobel Prize or the Abel Prize. Most people are familiar with the Nobel Prize, which recognises achievements in literature, physics and other fields. The Abel Prize, however, is awarded for exceptional achievements in mathematics and is often given to women under 40.”
She explained that the posters provide biographies of these women, telling their stories and detailing why they won the Nobel or Abel Prize in their respective categories. The goal is to shine a light on their work, providing young girls and women with inspiring role models to encourage them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Swakop at night
Additionally, the Open Day, hosted annually on 21 December, is a highlight for visitors.
“The special part of this day is that the Swakopmund Museum will remain open until 21:00, and entry is free of charge. We are participating in the Swakopmund at Night initiative, where various shops and institutions will stay open until 21:00,” Phiri said.
Meaning and tragedy
The Swakopmund Museum is home to a variety of exhibits.
“We have something for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, geology fans and archaeology buffs. Basically, we offer a little bit of everything. So, if you find yourself a little bit bored in Swakopmund and not sure what to do – pop in at the Swakopmund Museum.”
In addition to Escape Road, the 'Disentangled' exhibition by Dr Lara de Harde, a South African curator and researcher, is also on show currently.
It explores the importance of preserving artefacts and explores how meaning can sometimes get lost in translation.
“We also have the Shark Island exhibition currently on display, which will likely remain until the end of January. This exhibition is more sombre, as it focuses on the concentration camp that once existed there. It is based on archaeological research conducted by the Landesmuseum Hannover. It’s worth seeing, as it sheds light on an important, albeit tragic, part of our history,” Phiri said.
The Swakopmund Museum is open Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00.
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