[Written for NEW WINCHESTER REVIEW. Find the published article HERE.]
Situated in Maresfield Gardens in London, the museum remains a tribute to one of the most talked about philosophers of our time. It was in this house, old, rustic, antique, that Freud lived out the last year of his life until his death on 23rd September 1939. It remained occupied by his youngest daughter Anna Freud, the only of his six children to take up the study of psychoanalysis, up until 1982 and it was her request that it be turned into a museum to honour her late father's work.
Each room was recreated to mirror the same working environment as in Vienna, after he fled to London in 1938 to seek refuge from the Nazi's. The public are offered an interactive tour, either available through audio or visual, with a wooden panel placed in each room outlining the layout. The Study and Library introduced us to Freud's collection of "old and grubby Gods" and his idea that Archaeology and Psychoanalysis were closely linked. It was his aim to uncover the 'archaeology' of the mind, peeling away the layers of the psyche to uncover the subconscious.
In this room was Freud's 'analytic couch' which he would use to practise his psychoanalytic therapy through the process of "free association" (whatever came to mind). It featured a piece from Christie Brown's "Dreamwork" exhibition (running until 10th February 2013), a chalky figure placed in a reclining position on the couch, along with other pieces that had been spread throughout the museum. Brown's main piece, held in the Exhibition Room (originally Freud's bedroom), is emotive of Freud's love for antique artefacts. Through her artwork she demonstrates how objects have a life of their own and are animated through ways beyond our control; the 'dreamstate'.
Stepping into the Exhibition Room, my initial feeling was that of Fear. Emphasised by the darkened walls and strategically placed lights. Each individual model had been placed so it was directly facing us, their eye's hollowed out, as if waiting for someone to give them emotion. Reminiscent of Berkeley's theory of the 'unperceived'; an object only exists if perceived by the individual. Similarly, in The Anna Freud Room, the depiction of "Wild Beasts" as a symbol of Fear, the repressed libido perhaps, which is dreaded by the Ego (Reality and Reason) and which also manifests itself within the 'dreamstate', reflective of Freud's work "The Interpretation of Dreams" published in 1900.
Perfect for anybody who is a fan of Freud's work, the museum, which also provides an insight into his personal life, is made visually interesting despite it's underwhelming appearance. You're made to feel at home with the information provided displayed creatively and often accompanied by family portraits. Though only consisting of two floors, I did feel the museum was a little short-lived considering the entry price, but overall, I left satisfied. Definitely worth a visit if you need to waste a couple of hours.
6/10.
Information sourced from Museum Guide. 08.02.2013.
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