How about we explore art that once graced the Forum in Chemnitz. This ehem. Wandschmuck aus dem Forum holds stories within its form. Its history intertwines with Chemnitz itself.
The State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz smac stands as a testament to Saxony’s rich past. It opened on May 15 2014 in the former Schocken department store. Before this it was the State Museum of Prehistory Dresden. The smac is part of the Archaeological Heritage Service.
Saxony gained its first statewide permanent archaeology exhibition with the museum’s opening. It spans 300000 years of human history ending with industrialization. The museum also features exhibitions on the department store’s history. These exhibits cover founder Salman Schocken and architect Erich Mendelsohn.
Imagine Saxony’s development displayed across three stories. The exhibition covers approximately 3000 square meters. The first floor showcases the Middle Paleolithic period. Here you will find the oldest stone tools from Markkleeberg. Horse depictions on slate from Groitzsch near Eilenburg are over 12000 years old.
The exhibit offers information on climate history evolution and genetics. In collaboration with the Max Planck Institute the museum illustrates Neanderthal differences. A special feature is the Glass Neanderthal reminiscent of Dresden’s Glass Man.
The second floor focuses on farming cultures. These range from the Neolithic period to the early Middle Ages. A highlight is the 7000-year-old wooden frame from Eythra near Zwenkau. Remarkably preserved ceramic vessels from Altscherbitz are also on display. Central Europe’s oldest clay figure from Zschernitz stands near the Venus of Zauschwitz. The Saxon Bronze Age offers treasure trove-like depots. A mirror installation transforms visitors into Iron Age or Imperial Period figures.
The third floor presents 1200 everyday objects from Saxon city excavations. Mining’s influence on Saxon history takes center stage. The Dresden State Archives showcases its holdings in a treasure trove of written records. The tour ends in 1839 with the opening of the Leipzig-Dresden railway line.
Separate bay windows feature permanent exhibitions. The first floor explores Erich Mendelsohn’s life using architectural models. The second floor details the Schocken department store’s history and Jewish community connections. Salman Schocken’s book collection is presented on the third floor.
A landscape model of Saxony floats through all three floors. Video projections show different historical states of the country. Interactive handrails and floor mirrors offer additional information.
Erich Mendelsohn designed the Schocken department store in the late 1920s. Construction began in July 1929 and it opened on May 15 1930. The store became an economic hub with over 700 employees. In 1933 the Chemnitz Combat League targeted the Schocken store. The Schocken family was expropriated in 1938 and emigrated.
The company was renamed Merkur Kaufstätte Aktiengesellschaft in December 1938. After the war Merkur Kaufstätte AG was expropriated. The building housed the State Insurance Institute and other organizations. In 1965 it became part of the Centrum Department Stores. Kaufhof Warenhaus AG took over in 1991 but later sold it. Conversion into the archaeology museum began in 2010.
The fourth level hosts special exhibitions. Since 2019 online exhibitions are presented via smac plus. Past exhibitions include SALZ BERG WERK and MONEY.
The smac has received several awards for its exhibition design. These include the Red Dot Design Award and the DASA Award.
As you reflect upon the ehem. Wandschmuck aus dem Forum remember its connection to Chemnitz’s cultural heart. It is a reminder of art’s place in this city. The State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz embodies this spirit. It preserves stories for generations to come.