Project: “Sin – Research and Exhibition Project”
Duration of the project: 01.11.2024 – 30.11.2025
Funded: Targeted funding for projects in the field of movable cultural heritage, museums and art galleries from the Ministry of Culture
Project description:
Through the project, the Museum aims to implement a large-scale field research and analytical/interpretative process in preparation for the re-exhibition of the “Sin” collection as a permanent exhibition; to promote Bulgarian cultural heritage by creating products of high scientific, cultural and artistic quality (mobile exhibition, catalog, website) and events (symposium of a scientific research-based and applied nature); to develop and attract new audiences through educational activities and ensuring accessibility and equality in the presentation of cultural heritage.
The “Sin” collection includes 50 panels, copies of frescoes from Bulgarian churches and monasteries, which present satirical, instructive and moralizing plots. For the most part, the images illustrate and name the sins and the punishment that sinners will receive, which is usually instrumentally linked to the transgression – for example, the miller who cheated his customers with the weighing scales will be tortured with a millstone bound to his neck.
The collection was created in the first years of the Museum of Humor and Satire in the 1970s. A significant amount of documentation has been preserved with arguments, studies and decisions on which frescoes to make copies of.
The planned new mobile exhibition with interpretive panels will be offered to the public in the country through support from a partner hosting its presentation. During the visit of the mobile exhibition, educational and discussion meetings will be held in partnership with the host institutions.
A website will be created to present the project – the cultural products and events, the visits of the mobile exhibition, etc.
An important part of the sustainability of the project is the planned richly illustrated publication, which will be distributed in the museum shop and partner bookstores in the country, and will also be available for sale with the traveling exhibition.