The First World War – Open Air Museum

At the Open Air Museum, existing historical buildings present a new perspective on the canon of Dutch history. A stable from Budel explores the First World War (1914-1918).

An ingenious projection in the stable in Budel reveals two Dutch soldiers. They recount their experiences in the North Brabant border village. They describe the thousands of Belgian refugees pouring into Budel. They describe how the German occupiers sealed off the border with a terrifying, electrified barrier, the wire of death. They hunted down smugglers who were illegally bringing goods, espionage messages, and even people across the border.

client: Dutch Open Air Museum

design: Jaap Verburg in collaboration with Kay Kloosterboer

location: Arnhem

realization: 2015

status: permanent