Dr Klara von Lindern is the curator of the Everyday Textile Culture Collection. The art historian manages and takes care of objects that tell stories about the everyday lives of people from different eras, but her favourite object in this collection is not an item of clothing.
You have done a lot of research on the Romantic era. When was the last time your work was “romantic”?
Von Lindern: (chuckling) This collection gets romantic in particular when it comes to wedding dresses. After all, we collect objects of everyday textile culture, and for many people an item of clothing they wore on an important occasion like their wedding day brings back special memories. So with our collection, romanticism is less about an era and more about an emotion.
What brought you to the University of Oldenburg?
Von Lindern: I studied history and art history and initially I wanted to work in a museum. But when the University of Göttingen introduced a centralised collection management system for its university collections in 2013, I became curious and took up a post as an assistant there. After I completed my PhD in exhibition history, I learned about the position here in Oldenburg – also working with a university collection – and immediately applied.
What do you like most about our university?
Von Lindern: For one thing it’s a great location, with lots of green spaces and walking routes. Then there’s the wide range of subjects. I find the practical and creative subjects like art, with its photography and graphics workshops, particularly fascinating. I think it’s wonderful to have such a large practical component in teaching.
What does your work with the collection entail?
Von Lindern: As a curator I work primarily with the objects in the collection, which I document, manage and care for. I also work with cooperating museums and teach in various degree programmes. In addition, I supervise students who are writing their bachelor's or master's thesis on specific objects or in the field of museum and collection history. I like the interdisciplinary component of my work and that I learn something new every day.
Do you have a favourite object in the collection?
Von Lindern: Yes, a “dance lesson hand fan” that dates back to the early 20th century. Admirers of the owner of this fan wrote little verses on the individual slats, and in exchange the owner would give them her visiting card. A really beautiful story! My second favourite object is a red dress adorned with poppies made of red tulle. If you gently sway the dress it looks as if the flowers are dancing.
Do you also like to collect (art) objects in your private life?
Von Lindern: My husband and I collect “You are here” Starbucks mugs from abroad. You can only buy them in the city depicted on the mug. We love travelling, and wherever we go we buy one of these mugs. We now have more than 80 of them (chuckling)!
Interview: Henning Kulbarsch
