Everything Forgotten: An Exhibition on Memory and Cultural History at the Jewish Museum Vienna

This exhibition examines the dual nature of forgetting from a cultural history perspective, questioning whether it represents mere loss or a form of liberation. It delves into the power dynamics of forgetting, from excommunication within Jewish communities to the deliberate erasure of historical events by oppressive regimes, and its implications in contemporary society.

The exhibition _Everything Forgotten_ investigates the intricate relationship between forgetting and remembering, viewed through the lens of cultural history. It highlights the dual nature of forgetting, exploring its capacity for both loss and liberation. The exhibition examines how the power of forgetting is wielded, from the severe rabbinical sanction of excommunication (_cherem_) designed to extinguish memory, to the external forces that consign enemies to oblivion through curses like _yimach shemo_. It also addresses the Nazis' systematic extermination policy, which aimed not only to eliminate Jewish populations but also to destroy evidence of their mass murder, with only fragmented materials surviving. Furthermore, the exhibition touches upon the post-1945 Austrian tendency to forget its complicity in Nazi atrocities, a silence that persisted until the Waldheim affair in 1986. In an era where historical responsibility and memory are increasingly debated, _Everything Forgotten_ prompts a critical discussion on the mechanisms of forgetting, questioning what has been suppressed, overlooked, or deliberately erased. By presenting forgetting not merely as the antithesis of remembering, but as an integral component of a complex engagement with the past and present, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on its multifaceted role in shaping our understanding of history and identity.

General visitor information and ticketing details are typically available on the museum's website. Visitors are encouraged to consult the museum's official channels for the most current admission and booking information.