Exhibits can use several historical research and writing styles. Virtual exhibits represent symbols used during historical research, and writing to portray key messages and create audience attention. The practice of using letters in pieces of metal that has similar thickness and height, and arranging them in an appropriate sequence provided the writing and researching methods in the historical times. Informative exhibits are derived from historical writings and research. These writings contain artifacts that are interesting and informative (Hannah 32). Exhibits from the historical writings and research presents and outlines events, person ideas or places. This is done through displaying documents, objects or images from the historical writings and research. Most of these exhibits are found in museums, historical sites, classrooms, visitor centers. These exhibitions are developed in interest of historic photographs, objects and drawings. Exhibits are usually in three dimensions and are displayed in structures that are physical.
The cloister in found on the upper floor represents the ancient history of Saaremaa. The upper floor illustrates a Kuressaare Ferdings issue by Duke Magnus giving the geographical knowledge in the 14th century. The exhibits also illustrate the tools used during that period. During that era, people were so much into religion represented by the Gothic sculpture. Evangelist John represented this shrine from 1420. On this section lays various exhibits representing religious events, objects and people during the ancient Estonia history. Some of these historic objects are not complete because the historians could not retrieve all of them.
The following exhibition came into existence from 1420 after the people of Saaremaa realized the presence of god’s spirit amongst them. The ancient history of Saaremaa was represented by people who believed in the existence of spirits who guided them in their daily actions. Finding a suitable location for the exhibit assists in delivering its purpose because the exhibit location signifies its use and delivers the intended message (NHD 12). In addition, these artifacts aimed at tracing changes associated with religion since 1420 until the end of the ancient history. The aspects investigated in these exhibitions included; the clergy, the church disciplines, church designs, and the teachings found in the clergy documents in order to train changes in the religious and doctrines.
On the aspect of religion, various artists made wooden sculptures that formed the oldest exhibits in Saaremaa Museum. In addition, the craftsmen made pulpits in various churches. The pulpits were a symbol of God’s message for his people. For example, in 1629, B. Raschky made pulpits for Muhu church, and in 1638 made a pulpit for Karja church in Estonia. Figure 2 represents detail of the pulpits found in these churches. Most religious exhibits acted as symbols of justice. While doing exhibitions, the craftsmen ensured that a piece of artifact portrayed a positive message to the viewers. This was accomplished by ensuring that they had the necessary history concerning the things they wanted to represent. The religion exhibit designs created a holy atmosphere where viewers could even communicate with God.
The exhibits have a lot of impact towards various reformations found in Saaremaa because of the intense studies performed during the ancient history. The exhibits indicated the type of doctrines taught by the ancient preachers. The religious reformations were implemented by the year 1536 and accorded to the Church Ordinance in 1539. On the other hand, the Estonian speakers were found in Saaremaa, were followers of the ancient religion represented by the artifacts. Changing these teachings requires a lot of research. On the other hand, the artifacts represented a type of belief for the people who attended the churches. Figure 1 looks like an illustration of Jesus and Mary showing that Saaremaa beloved in that God sent his own son to save mankind. Moreover, the pulpit was a clear indication that people used to gather and listen to God’s teachings given to them by a preacher (Saaremaa Museum 2012).
Presently, the religious artifacts found in Saaremaa museum give the viewers hope of eternal life. People made use of these historic objects to learn the ancient Antonio religious history from 1500 to 1815. A lot of research on the meanings of the writings was done to avoid contradictions, or make them not clear. Historians used iconology, the use of image study in ensuring that they have used various texts to make the interpretation easy. It is also of great importance to ensure that there is enough explanation for the portrait in order to give viewers a simple time in interpreting the object. In the olden days, few villages lacked churches in Estonia that showed how the people of Saaremaa were God fearing. Many tourists from Saaremaa visit the museum to learn more about the genesis of their religion in order to maintain their culture (Saaremaa Museum 2012).
The religion artifacts found in Saaremaa’s museum represent the ancient history in many different ways. First, people of Estonia are in a position to track their roots as the carvings represent their ancestors. The exhibitions are carved in different colors and show various images representing various leaders in the ancient history. Second, the exhibitions show the types of religions found Estonia during that era. The exhibitions are still found in churches in Western Estonia indicating how they have influenced religious leaders into the old doctrines. Some religious leaders use messages portrayed on exhibitions in performing some events like burial, wedding ceremonies, and essential church functions. The exhibits today represent people with specific outfits meant for specific functions, and events (Saaremaa Museum 2012).
Works Cited
Hannah, W. Creative ideas for a school; project. 2012.
Jansen, C. R. Studying Art History. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1986.
NHD. How to create a historical exhibit. Winter Group. 2011.
Saaremaa Museum. Department of History. 2012. Retrieved from:
<http://www.saaremaamuuseum.ee/en/castle-and-fortress/permanent-exhibition/department-of-history/>
