Welcome to the “Office of the whole Truth”
Fake news, fake profiles, fake products – in many areas of life we encounter counterfeits and disinformation of all kinds. We find doping in sports, business leaders cheating, and not only the random prominent politician relying on alternative facts.
But–being completely honest—how do you feel about the truth? Have you really never ever lied? And if so, probably only under duress?
Undertake perhaps the most exciting office visit of your life at the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden.
The museum has transformed into the Office of the whole Truth, enter at your own risk to get to the bottom of lies and reveal the truth.
§ The Departments §
Introduction
At the start of your tour, the head of office Hans Wahr (played by the actor Martin Wuttke) introduces you to the necessity for an Office for the whole Truth. Did you know that humans lie approximately 200 times daily? Hard to believe! Given the fact, the other studies claim differently...
SPECIALIST DEPARTMENT FOR LIE EDUCATION AND APPLIED PINOCCHIO RESEARCH
The tale of Pinocchio shows: the path to truth must be learned. However, despite all the children's book morals, hardly anyone adheres to the commandment "Thou shalt not lie" – be it in religion, in school or in court. How about you? Would you confess to or keep silent about an affair? Using a giant dice, you will find out.
Strategic Deception Department
Only humans know how to lie. In nature, on the other hand, everything is real - or maybe not? In this department, you will listen to various animals, telling stories of their lifes of truth and lies – proving that they are more human as you may believe.
One-Stop Lie Drop-in Centre
What lie can be forgiven, what lie is fatal? Some lies may be necessary and others are simply funny? In this department, you will assess by yourself, how bad or insignificant the lies are, that you are being told.
Credibility Commission
In Germany, fire fighters enjoy the biggest trust, politicians the least. How do those affected react, how do they deal with lies in their field of work? Watch a discussion between eight different professions and ask yourself whom you would trust
Test Facility for counterfeits and counter-counterfeits
Work of art, design classic, relic or simply an article of a known brand – originals have their very own charm. But what exactly is the reason for this affection and why is it so important to us?
Lie Detection Laboratory
What do body language, head poses or facial expression tell us about lying or telling the truth? We show you various scientific attempts to detect and measure lies. Of course you can undergo the questionable pleasure of a lie detector test yourself.
Agency for truth seeking and securing
Using real news reels, you will discover by yourself or as a team how news reports can be fact checked – the goal is to discern fact from fiction.
Media Office for (old and new) Fake News
Fake news are not a new phenomenon of the Twitter age: since the invention of movable letters and the printing press, mass media has started countless false reports. For example, the media is responsible for making people believe in ghosts and causing witch hunts in medieval times. A time line will help you to understand the vast amount of fake news produced in our times.
Gallery
About the exhibition
Similar to the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, the Stapferhaus in Lenzburg works at the interface of culture and science and, with its innovative projects, is one of the most renowned exhibition houses in Switzerland. In 2020, it was honored with the European Museum of the Year Award. Highly acclaimed exhibitions include HOME. Welcome to Digital Life (2010-2011), DECIDE. On Life in the Supermarket of Possibilities (2012-2014), MONEY. Beyond Good and Evil (2014-2016) or HOME. A borderline experience (2017-2018). Currently on view: SEX. Discover Now (2020-2022).
Exhibition Manager and Project Manager: Doreen Hartmann
Curator: Daniel Tyradellis
Curatorial Research Project Assistance: Wiebke Drescher
Exhibition design: Kossmanndejong Amsterdam.
Adaptation for presentation at DHMD: Focus + Echo, Andreas Pinkow
Ausstellungsgrafik: Dina Fluck
Media planning and implementation: intolight, Dresden; Shosho, Amsterdam; Tweaklab, Basel
Video Editing: Theo Thiesmeier
Working Student: Lydia Grönnert
Sponsored by
Accompanying program in cooperation with:
