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Special exhibition at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: Ötzi turns 20
On 19 September 2011 the Iceman will be 20 years old – his age at least since his reincarnation began as a glacier mummy and a global sensation. The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano is therefore dedicating a special exhibition to its star throughout 2011. It is entitled Ötzi20. The exhibition will take place from 1 March 2011 to 15 January 2012 and will focus on the latest scientific findings, but it will also include oddities and absurdities such as arcane interpretations, quirky marketing ideas and sensational media articles. The common thread that emerges from the exhibition is: What impact has Ötzi had on us?
In 1991 people all over the world followed with amazement the recovery of a completely preserved man from the Copper Age who, along with his clothing and equipment, had been preserved virtually intact in a glacier in the Ötztal Valley Alps for 5,300 years. Dubbed Ötzi by the media, the famous South Tyrolean has kept us constantly busy with new findings about his life and death. Analysed down to the tiniest detail, we know him like a mysterious neighbour, and he still provokes conflicting emotions in us. Ötzi20 is a snapshot, but it also raises questions about the future. What other secrets will the latest research methods unlock? Ötzi has been examined by innumerable scientists and has been seen by almost three million museum visitors. He has given people a new perspective. He has promoted scientific careers, created jobs, and brought people to Bolzano from all over the world.
Exhibition location and themes
Ötzi20 will take up the entire 1200 square metres of the museum’s exhibition space. Four floors will be dedicated to the themes of life, science, fiction and reality and cover the full spectrum of Ötzi's discovery, his life, research findings, media reality and fiction and questions surrounding him. Each floor will have its own theme-inspired design and material, and will provide new insights and perceptions. Interactive stations and the use of films, interviews and hands-on activities guarantee exciting “infotainment”.
This special exhibition has been designed not only as a retrospective but also as a snapshot of a certain period following Ötzi's discovery and shows the constant revision of the findings and the picture that emerges of Ötzi. This is also reflected in the exhibition design: scientific discoveries and new discussion topics are continuously being added to the exhibition, presenting the Iceman as a window into our archaeological past and a social sensation that will continue to occupy us for many years to come.
Reconstruction: a new image of Ötzi
One of the most frequently asked questions remains unanswered: What did Ötzi actually look like? Many reconstruction attempts have so far been unable to provide a satisfactory answer. For the opening of the Ötzi20 exhibition, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology will be presenting a new reconstruction of Ötzi based on anatomical 3D images of his skeleton. Two renowned experts from the Netherlands, Alfons and Adrie Kennis, who had already put a face on Neanderthal man, are currently working on the new reconstruction, which will draw on forensic findings as well as artistic inspiration. Ötzi's new face and physique can be viewed at the exhibition opening on 1 March 2011 and will replace the previous public face of the Iceman.
Artistic interpretations of Ötzi
Since his discovery, many artists have depicted Ötzi using various mediums and techniques. One example in Ötzi20 is a 2007 installation by the British artist Marilène Oliver which plays with multilayers of the mummy. In Ötzi: Frozen, Scanned and Plotted (also called “Iceman”) Oliver translated the CT scan of the body from the ice into scan plot points that she drilled into acrylic sheets layer for layer and fused together in a translucent block.
The South Tyrolean photographer Brigitte Niedermair has travelled throughout Europe in search of Ötzi reconstructions created by museums. Her large-format photographs depict numerous Ötzi reconstructions in various contexts and interpretations.
Exhibition catalogue
A catalogue in German language will be published by Theiss Publishing House in Stuttgart (GER). The Italian edition will be published by Folio Publishing House. See insert.
Further information and events in 2011
You can read a current update of the progress of the work on the special exhibition and other events during the Ötzi year on our Ötzi blog www.oetzi20.it. They include, for instance, a postcard competition for children, Ötzi’s birthday celebration on 19 September 2011, a scientific symposium presenting new findings about the Iceman in September 2011, other artistic events and much, much more …
Practical information and dates
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology will be closed for two weeks from 14 to 28 February 2011 to install the special exhibition. The permanent exhibition on the archaeology of South Tyrol will be closed during Ötzi20.
Press preview for Ötzi20: There will be an exclusive press preview about the exhibition on 28 February 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (for journalists and TV teams only). 1 March 2011: First day of Ötzi20 open to the public.
Partner
Ötzi20 is sponsored by the Foundation Stiftung Südtiroler Sparkasse/Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano
The following people have been speaking at the press conference:
Sabina Kasslatter Mur, Provincial Counsellor for German Culture and Education
Othmar Parteli, Director Betrieb Landesmuseen/Azienda Musei Provinciali
Angelika Fleckinger, Director of the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.
Beat Gugger, Exhibition Designer and Curator of Ötzi20, Burgdorf (CH)
Jürgen Beckedorf, Program Director, Theiss Publishing House, Stuttgart
Statements:
Provincial Counsellor Sabina Kasslatter Mur:
“The archaeological sensation of the Iceman has promoted our region around the globe. Since the museum opened its doors, three million visitors have come to see the mummy and its artefacts. Over the years reports about the Iceman have featured in international media, and new research findings are still being broadcast, captivating and fascinating not only scientists but also the public at large. I therefore welcome the Archaeological Museum's initiative to present an updated view of Ötzi on the 20th anniversary of his discovery, to take stock and to display the results in a special exhibition.”
Museum director Angelika Fleckinger:
“The aim of the exhibition is to present a more rounded picture of Ötzi beyond the purely scientific aspect. What image do we have of him now? What role have the media played? What phenomena and what outlandish speculations has he engendered? The exhibition is a multilayered synopsis, the like of which has never been seen before. It represents an energetic contrast to the current permanent exhibition.”
The exhibition curator, the Swiss museum expert Beat Gugger, introduces the exhibition and its concept:
“Ötzi is one of the best-researched mummies around, yet he still holds many secrets. That's certainly one of the reasons why everyone is intrigued by him. The exhibition therefore centres around the fascination that Ötzi exerts on scientists, the general public and countless hobby researchers.”
Press photos: Photographic material on the press conference, Ötzi20 and the Iceman as well as the exhibition logos can be downloaded free of charge from the museum's website at www.iceman.it/en/photo-archive. The photo material can be used free of charge provided that the copyright is mentioned: © Südtiroler Archäologiemuseum/name of the photographer.
