A museum dedicated to broken hearts has been founded in Croatia. Authors of the concept Olinka Vištica and Drazen Grubišić decided to set up the museum after consoling friends over their failed romances.

The Museum of Broken Relationships is an art concept which proceeds from the assumption that objects possess integrated fields - "holograms" of memories and emotions - and intends with its layout to create a space of "secure memory" or "protected remembrance" in order to preserve the material and nonmaterial heritage of broken relationships.

Unlike the "destructive" self-help instructions for recovery from failed loves, the Museum offers every individual the chance to overcome the emotional collapse through creation - by contributing to the Museum's collection. The individual gets rid of  "controversial objects", triggers of momentarily "undesirable" emotions, by turning them into museum exhibits, and thereby participating in the creation of a preserved collective emotional history.
The museum has everything from romantic and touching letters to different gifts given to lovers like teddy bears and photos, but also such unusual examples as leg prosthesis donated by a war veteran who fell in love with his physiotherapist or a gall stone. Every single object on display is anonymous, and has a description / story related to the relationship that was behind. After the success of the first display in Zagreb this unique museum is touring the world.

More about the concept (downloadable pdf)

Contact: info@brokenships.com

http://www.brokenships.com/
http://www.brokenships.com/about.php

Museum of Broken Relationships in San Francisco Reception: Valentine's Day! - Saturday, February 14th, 7 - 10 pm Dates: February 14-28, 2009 Sliding Scale Suggested Donation: $2-$20 What are you doing on Valentines Day? This is your chance to be a part of a museum dedicated to broken hearts! The Museum of Broken Relationships is on a world tour, displaying anonymously donated objects collected in cities all over the world. Between Singapore and Stockholm is San Francisco's moment in the spotlight. What better way could there be to spend the oft maligned holiday of St. Valentine? All of us have experienced the end of a loving relationship, whether with a lover, friend, or family member. Most of us have hidden away the objects that remind us of these painful heartbreaks. Have you ever wished there was a meaningful way of letting go of these 'things?' Have you ever wanted to preserve beautiful moments from your past? The Museum is an artistic project in which everyone can participate. It is a grand effort to honor the emotional heritage of humankind, offering the possibility to use the positive forces of creation and memory (instead of destruction and oblivion) in overcoming your broken heart. Conceived of and created by Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubiši? of Croatia, the Museum is on a world tour. The artists strongly believe in the arts as a path to emotional catharsis, and that by interacting with the intimate stories of others our cultural and political differences dissolve into a shared common experience. Root Division has invited the Museum of Broken Relationships to San Francisco, because we believe in the power of the arts to foster social change. We invite you to anonymously donate to San Francisco's exhibit of the Museum. Download a donation form at www.rootdivision.org.

Formatted for CROWN by   Marko Puljić
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