Wolfsonian–FIU invites you to participate in #GreatWarStories

Posted by × 03/19/2015 at 4:06 pm

 

greatwarstory

Inspired by the current exhibition Myth and Machine: The First World War in Visual Culture, The Wolfsonian–FIU has created the #GreatWarStories project – a living, breathing digital collection of personal WWI stories, photos, documents and letters compiled in remembrance of the transformational war on the occasion of its centennial.

In 1914, a Miami Beach gala attracted more than 200 of the city’s elite, all dressed in costumes representing the many nations allied against Germany in the First World War.

#GreatWarStories: In 1914, a Miami Beach gala attracted more than 200 of the city’s elite, all dressed in costumes representing the many nations allied against Germany in the First World War.

While Myth and Machine focuses on artist responses to WWI, #GreatWarStories expands the scope to the everyman – and invites you to participate. Perhaps your grandparents or great-grandparents were involved or impacted by the war, and you want to share their story.

The Tumblr site is an experiment in storytelling, sharing and curating that organizers hope will feature diverse voices ranging from historians, students and museum professionals to writers, designers, celebrities and the general public.

“The launch of our exhibition Myth and Machine: The First World War in Visual Culture sparked a dialogue among Wolfsonian staff about our family histories,” says Jeffrey Guin, the Wolfsonian’s digital outreach strategist. “We created #GreatWarStories as an exploration of our own stories, and as a way to connect to the stories of people who share our passion for heritage and culture.”

Here are some ways you can contribute:

  • Sharing the story of your family’s WWI-related history through photos, documents, or anecdotes (possibilities include guest blogging, video/podcast interview, or photo essay)
  • Using your expertise and unique perspective as a launching pad for discussing the war’s impact in a different or surprising way
  • Alerting the museum to related resources or materials that would dovetail with the mission of the project

To see the living, digital collection, visit http://greatwarstories.tumblr.com. If you would like to participate, send an email to greatwarstories@thewolf.fiu.edu and the Wolfsonian team will be in touch to discuss storytelling ideas.

 

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