An attempt to translate dreams into artistic realities in their paintings was made by many directors - Hitchcock, Bergman, Bunuel. In St. Petersburg, a whole museum was founded for a similar purpose. The Sigmund Freud Dream Museum has been hosting visitors since 1999. Its discovery was timed to coincide with the centennial of the publication of the book "Interpretation of Dreams", the author of which is a famous psychologist. What can you tell about this amazing and mysterious place?
Sigmund Freud Museum of Dreams: History and Main Purpose
The institution opened its doors to visitors on November 4, 1999. The honor of its foundation belongs to Victor Mazin, a psychoanalyst and an employee of the East European Institute of Psychoanalysis. The Sigmund Freud Dream Museum is located at 18a Bolshoi Prospekt Petrogradskaya Side.
The St. Petersburg Museum is inextricably linked with two similar institutions. One of them is in Vienna, where the famous psychologist spent most of his life. This museum perpetuates the place where the thinker worked for several decades. Another institution is located in London, or rather in the last apartment of Freud. Here is an incredible collection of antiquities.
The Sigmund Freud Dream Museum in St. Petersburg is connected with the ideas of a psychologist, and not with the place where he lived and worked. Its visitors are not taught anything, do not impose anything on them or explain. Employees of the institution are convinced that their main task is to provide people with the opportunity to be alone with themselves.
Exposition
Visitors who want to get acquainted with the exposition and history of the Sigmund Freud Dream Museum will have to visit two rooms. Each of them is subordinate to its goal. First, guests will be invited to the introductory room, where there are 12 shop windows. Their study provides information on individual episodes of the life of one who is deservedly called the founding father of psychoanalysis.
The second hall is even more interesting - dreaming. People crossing the threshold, as if falling into a dream. The thin line between dreams and reality is erased. Visual images help visitors plunge into their own world. All visitors to the museum see the same exposition differently. In the second room you can see photos of the thinker's letters, pictures of books that he once read. Also here are photos of items belonging to his collection. If visitors want to read the inscriptions, they have to look at them from different angles. Everything is blurry, which emphasizes the atmosphere of sleep.
Between the first and second rooms are drawings by artist Pavel Pepperstein. They depict 10 of Freud's most famous dreams.
Activities
The museum is a research, cultural and educational center. It hosts exhibitions and seminars, organizes conferences and gives lectures. From time to time, the museum hosts concerts of experimental music.
Of course, excursions are regularly held here. Their visit allows you to get a lot of interesting information about Freud's life. Also, visitors will be able to understand the basics of the psychoanalytic method, learn something new about the interpretation of dreams.
"Interpretation of Dreams"
One cannot but say a few words about the book “Interpretation of Dreams”, which is one of the most famous works of the father of psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud released this work in 1899. Interestingly, the reaction of the first readers was negative. The book was actively ridiculed by the press. Many of Freud's colleagues said they did not want to talk to him anymore.
However, the "Interpretation of Dreams" was waiting for great success abroad. In the States, England and France, this work was taken very seriously. Gradually, the number of supporters of the Austrian psychologist and his bold theories grew.
The book "Interpretation of Dreams" introduces readers to the technique and method of psychoanalysis. It contains information about the psychoanalytic interpretation of male and female dreams, talks about the symbolism of dreams. Freud argues that our dreams are not without meaning. He sees in them the fulfillment of repressed desire.
Opinion of visitors
Interesting reviews about the Sigmund Freud Museum of Dreams, which are left by those who visited it. There are both positive and negative opinions. Someone notes the extraordinary atmosphere of mystery, mystery and solitude. Someone manages to plunge into their inner world and learn something new about themselves. Someone leaves the museum, not understanding anything, is disappointed. There are those whom dark and cold halls openly scare.
Some people strongly recommend visiting this museum, if only to learn more about the personality and works of the famous thinker. Others insist that there are many places in St. Petersburg that are of great interest. Should I visit the Sigmund Freud Dream Museum? Each person decides independently.