Day Trip to the Special Exhibition "American Dreams: A New Life in the USA" in Stuttgart

Text: Nicole K. Konopka
Pictures: Alana Thümlein, Catharine Adelberg, Carina Blank, Dolores Huse, Nicole K. Konopka

The American Studies Team once again organized a one-day museum trip in the summer semester. This time it was to the special exhibition "American Dreams: A New Life in the USA" at the Haus der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart.

On Thursday, July 4th, we embarked on our (almost-smooth) train journey to Stuttgart, where we had the opportunity to visit an innovative multi-modal exhibition as part of the course “Promised Land America”. The thought-provoking museum show utilized individual life stories to reconstruct and examine the grand narrative of the "American Dream" in the New World. We encountered a tapestry of stories that were as surprising as they were moving—some bizarre, others tragic—each serving as a powerful testament to the resilience of immigrants and refugees, acknowledging the many challenges they faced.

We were especially impressed by the exhibition creators' dedication to representing the experiences of Indigenous peoples, as well as their skillful inclusion of the perspective of enslaved peoples and the enduring effects of racial discrimination on contemporary American society and culture.

The exhibition uniquely blended original historical artifacts with cutting-edge digital media and interactive AI stations, transforming our visit into an engaging experience. Through this playful interaction, we uncovered tales of gold rushes, burgeoning businesses, hardship, and poverty, alongside themes of national pride and personal disillusionment. We also explored the cultural significance of songs and seeds, and the ongoing influence of the "rags to riches" narrative on American culture, literature, and politics today.

All in all, this dynamic combination of storytelling and technology made for an enriching experience that we won't soon forget!