Sebastian Köpcke (*1967), Volker Weinhold (*1962) | Photographers
This wood splinter is an entirely unspectacular thing and for precisely this reason poses the question of when an object becomes a museum object – and when not. What does a museum include in its collection – and what is not collected? Are there even limits as far as size is concerned? There is no fixed definition of what a museum “may” and may not collect. Size at least is not decisive when it comes to objects. However, the significance an artefact has, or that ascribed to it, definitely is.
This small fragment is a splinter from Anton Günther’s guitar. The vernacular bard, composer, publisher and author Anton Günther (1876 – 1937) still enjoys cult status with his fans today and has justifiably been referred to as a kind of “local saint” of the Erzgebirge for more than a century.
This tiny fragment of wood therefore has the character of a relic from the belongings of the by far most famous singer of the Erzgebirge from Gottesgab (now Boži Dar, Czech Republic). This also justifies the inclusion of the object into the collection. This is because this splinter from one of his guitars is authentic: it originates from Günther’s estate. It also shows that Anton Günther meets with a great degree of reverence, not only from the public but also within his own family. Even the smallest things were preserved.
Until the preparations for this exhibition began last year, the splinter lay un-inventoried in an envelope with the other documents, letters and photographs from Günther’s estate. This wood fragment is now appearing in the context of this exhibition as a small object that raises big questions.
Producer unknown
MATERIAL & TECHNIQUE
wood, polished
DIMENSIONS
H 1.9 x W 0.3 x D 0.15 cm
MUSEUM
Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst
PLACE, DATING
Erzgebirge, before 1937
INVENTORY NUMBER
N 33