Media stations for the museum 

The monastery museum of the Benedictine Abbey of Ottobeuren was founded in 1881, making it the second oldest museum in the Allgäu. It has been completely renovated and remodelled over the last few years. The new permanent exhibition centres on both the history of the abbey and the life of the monks then and now. Visitors can discover interactive media exhibits and marvel at the religious, cultural and art-historical treasures of the abbey in the imposing rooms of the monastery. 

As part of the redesign, we were commissioned to produce the content for a wide range of media exhibits. As the abbey museum is based on the motto “Museum for all”, all aspects of inclusion must be taken into account in the production of video and audio. 

The media exhibits are intended to bring the history of the Benedictine order to life with different senses and offer visitorsan insight into abbey life. Our aim is to convey the life of the monks as closely and authentically as possible. 

In the first room of the exhibition, visitors are greeted by a three-dimensional audio installation. We are working with Stuttgart DJ Niklas Ibach, who is composing a piece using various chorales and electronic music. 

For the video stations, we are writing the script, directing and filming on location with the monks. We also provide sound, editing, German and English subtitles and sign language. At one video station, visitors learn about the monks’ various areas of work, such as beekeeping, cooking and gardening. At another video station, the monks answer various questions: Do you ever have doubts? Have you ever been in love? How did your family react to your decision to enter a monastery?" 

For the audio stations, we proofread the voiceover texts and add a narrator. The result is a varied audio programme with the character of a radio play. At one audio station, visitors are invited to sit down at the table with the monks and familiarise themselves with the course of the common meal. 

A special media exhibit is the Regula Benedicti, the rule of the Benedictine monks. Using analogue folding cards, important topics from the Regula are contextualised and made accessible in the form of text and moving images on the monitor below. We are responsible for the layout, design and production of the folding cards as well as screen design and animation for the monitor.