Leave a Trace Behind

was a project made in collaboration with Röhsska design museum in Gothenburg, in relation to their rebuild and remake of the main exhibition.

A museum bench is a very special object in the general museum environment, as it is one of the few objects that we are always allowed to interact with in the exhibition space. In a way it is the only object that is truly there for the visitor.

The bench was modeled after the existing museum benches in Röhsska, but with a few key differences. Firstly, this bench is made in massive alder wood. Alder is typically a kind of wood that you would avoid for making this type of furniture, as it is very soft and scratches easily. In this bench that is rather seen as positive though, as the idea is that every interaction with the bench should leave a mark. Secondly the bench also bears an inscription (as can be read below) on the side, meant to state its intentions. Over time this will allow the bench will be shaped by its usage and meetings.

The project asks us to reflect on ourselves as part of a bigger existence when taking a seat. The feeling of the marks of everyone to sit in the same spot, looking at the same things, under your fingers is meant to be seen as a sort of silent conversation between visitors.

There is also the dimension of the museum to visitor relationship in this. To give the visitor this type of freedom to leave marks on a part of a public space is a massive act of trust. By giving up control in this way the museum is truly giving the visitor agency in the space.

The project should be seen as a balancing act of trust and ownership.

Further context:

The museum expressed a desire to transform their relationship with the visitor from that of a traditional museum and exhibition space into a more interactive one. They wanted to find ways to break down that authoritative barrier between museum and visitor. This was my way of analyzing, and through design try to transform that relationship.

The bench was introduced trough a workshop where a panel conversation was held on tracemaking in the public space. This was happening parallel to allowing visitors to freely interact with the bench.