Het grote grutto theater (’The Grand Godwit Theater') is a theatrical exhibition experience for kids that tells the characteristic story of the Dutch national bird: the Godwit. The installation is directed by Theun Mosk. The concept and spatial design was developed in collaboration with NB.

We focused on arousing the senses; the little visitors can see like a bird, hear like a bird, feel danger like a bird, experience freedom, be attentive to possible enemies – they can even fly. Roaming around the space in a small group, kids and their parents step out of the exhibition having learned lots of new details about the life of Godwit. They understand what it’s like to be a godwit. 

The aim of the floorplan is to experience ten different characteristics of the bird within a timeframe of 30 minutes. With various layers of communication, the exhibition speaks (quite literally) to both parent and child. The monocultural look of the playground refers to the decrease of natural diversity in the Godwit’s environment, in contrary to the interiors of the ten very colourful and lively experience rooms. 

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type  Exhibition/Installation/Graphic Design
client  Natuurmuseum Fryslân
location  Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
team  Johan (NB) and Theun Mosk
realisation  Sytze Pruiksma, Simon van der Geest, Dennis Slot, Floortje Halters, Siemen van de Werf, Martijn Nieuwenburg, Eva Koopmans, Vorm & Decor and Studio Apvis
photography  Pieter Kers