en
- de
- en
This fragment is part of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" carpet.
Through the fragment we trace the journey of the fragment owners and their collabs as they explore, experiment and creatively advance socially relevant themes. Here is the fragment as we are sending it on this three and a half-year journey.
Follow this story to observe the transformations the fragment undergoes over the course of these years...
What is FSJ?
Voluntary social year for cultural engagement
The FSJ was first introduced in 2001, back then only for 125 volunteers. Since then, the number has increased to 2700 volunteers. It gives young people the opportunity to look into the work of a cultural instituition, for example museums, librarys, theaters and concert halls, as well as places of education and community. During the year one can get a thorough look into ones institution and gather experience in fields such as communication, education, handywork and creative work.
...And on we go...
...visiting the volunteers Lena and Elen of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection.
There was much to see for the fragment No. 12 in our department. It got to meet a version of Nerfertit and a sphinx.
Lena Weigelt
As volunteers, our tasks are quite diverse. For example we incorporate data from file cards from World War II.
Additionally, we decipher entries from inventary books from the 19th century, which were then written in Sütterlin script, a kind of old German writing that can be somewhat difficult for the modern eye to read. These entries are transfered into the museum documentation system „RIA“. We also actively take part in the revision of objects, which means recording the measurements and the weight of an object and putting these data in the database along with pictures.
Elén Ibikunle
Another one of our main tasks is creating so-called „digital ink drawings“. We work with a drawing pad to create digital versions of drawings of objects made during excavations. These digital drawings are then published in museum- and exhibition catalogues.
The journey begins...
...with Anna-Maria Petermannn, volunteer at the Museum for Islamic Art
Soon after I started working in the Museum for Islamic Art as a volunteer a large number of carpet fragements were going around. The museum was very much excited about these fragments, so I was too, of course. Recently I have been accompanied by one so I'd like to use it as a tool to illustrate the Voluntary Social Year for Cultural Engagement (FSJ), which allows me as a young person to work in the Museum for Islamic Art for a year and get a detailed insight in the work of a museum.
Part of the concept of the voluntary year are some week-long stays together with the other volunteers in an educational facility. During this time we are supplied with additional information aimed at rounding off our experiences and personal development. This includes Diversity Awareness, Job prospects as well as different workshops communicating practical and creative skills or personal introspective. This is also a great opportunity for getting to know each other and communicating within this group of young creative individuals. We talk about political engagement and organize common creative projets. This is the framework within the fragment and I have spent time together.
The idea of bringing the fragment was a rather spontaneaus one, which is why I spent a whole day in anxiety about its safe arrival. And eventually it did come. After all, our educational facility isn't closed off in some uninhabitated region of Brandenburg but only a short train fare off from Berlin. That is, I took the train, whereas the fragment was chauffered around in a post car. It is way to young to take the train all alone anyway. Upon the arrival of the DHL package I took the oppurtunity of tea time to reveal the twelfth fragment to the eyes of the world and myself. And even though it sparked common interest, my own excitement upon the colours and handicraft skills was unsurmountable.
Arrived safely, neither one of us had any more concerns but having a great time. The fragment rested during the seminar about job prospects. It was tired by the journey and safely employed for the next three years anyway. In the evening however it was fully rested and in shape to take part in our karaoke evening. The success of a karaoke is fully depentend on the enthusiasm throughout the group. A failure, however, was severly unlikely, given alone the number of volunteers in theaters. The fragment was surprisingly shy (it doesn't have a great vocal range) but we eventually gathered the courage for a rendition of Manu Chao's "Bongo Bong".
The next day the creative workshops began. In the workshop Upcycling we dedicated our time to working with different materials - from old bicycle inner tubes to wool - and talked about sustainable living practices during work. At first I tried my luck with a bit of weaving. However, my crude technique could not in the least be compared to the fine knots of my accompanying fragment, who was looking at me rather disapprovingly. So I spent my remaining time with stitching. I couldn't immediatly decide on a motive but instead of the rather obvious first impulse of flowers (Florals in spring? Groundbreaking.) I took inspirtation from another near source. Upon seeing, that the embroidery was supposed to resemble the carpet's pattern, the fragment thoroughly lightened up. The most striking thing I learnt through the workshop was, how long embroidery takes to finish. During a great spurt of motivation I set a myself a somewhat overexaggerated goal and thought the fragment motive to be easily completed at home. This was an error, but not a reason for giving up.
What else?
During the Voluntary Social Year one can look into several tasks and activities at ones institusion. Here at the Museum for Islamic Art for exampel I'm often in our specialized library, where I organize the books or conduct research in different fields. Additionally, I have the opportunity to help out at our school workshops (here a snippet with fragment No. 60). Depending on ones interest, one can also look into restauration and the work in a deposit.
Front and back
About the project...
The Museum for Islamic Art's project, #CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the future, celebrates the transformative power of cultural exchange and the shared threads that unite us all. All the things we love, have loved and will ever love come from cultural exchange, migration and diversity, or as we like to call it #CulturalxCollabs.
100 carpet fragments, cut from a replica of the iconic dragon carpet, will travel the world (delivered by DHL). The fragments will ignite #CulturalxCollabs with co-creators, inspiring human ingenuity, fostering community and ultimately demonstrating how cultural exchange enriches all our lives.
Follow #CulturalxCollabs on Instagram as the project unfolds...
...or read more here
Weaving the Future
Join us on a journey with 100 carpet fragments as they travel around the world for three and a half years, finding temporary homes while bridging cultural boundaries, fostering worldwide community united by the power of human stories.
Fragment Journeys
100 carpet fragments part of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" project. Follow their journeys through the ever changing owners' over three and a half years.
Where is the Dragon?
The star of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" project is a so-called Caucasian dragon carpet from the 17th century. A dragon carpet - all well and good - but: where is the dragon?
