Prometheusexpositieformat

Prometheusexpositieformat is a curatorial concept for organizing museum exhibitions around themes of knowledge, technology, and their social consequences, using the Prometheus myth as a symbolic through-line. The format aims to promote critical inquiry, inviting visitors to examine benefits, risks, and ethical questions associated with invention and power rather than presenting a linear triumph narrative.

Core principles include narrative layering that integrates myth, history, and contemporary case studies; the presentation of multiple, sometimes competing interpretations; the juxtaposition of artifacts with media and participatory elements; interpretive labeling that foregrounds questions and uncertainty; and inclusive accessibility that supports diverse audiences.

Implementation typically follows a progressive journey through space and time, starting with mythic origins, moving through historical episodes of science and technology, and ending with current debates about innovation and responsibility. It employs a mix of objects, didactic panels, digital interactives, and immersive environments, supplemented by public programs that encourage dialogue and citizen participation.

Applications and reception: used in science, history, and literary museums, especially in Dutch- and Anglophone institutions exploring myth and technology. It is discussed in museography as a way to cultivate critical literacy, though critics warn that the motif of Prometheus can oversimplify complex issues or skew interpretation toward moralizing narratives.