As part of ‘Presence of the Past - a European Album’, the first documentary photo exhibition at the House of European History, we are inviting participants from Brussels and beyond, aged 18 and over, to join our photography participatory project, called ‘Picture It’.
20 participants have received a Kodak analog camera along with guiding instructions related to the exhibition themes, which will encourage creative expression through photography during the exhibition public opening at the House of European History, to kick off the project.
Timeline and practical information
- Friday 28 March 2025
- Meet together at 20:00 during the exhibition public opening at the House of European History, to kick off the project.
- Until 21 June 2025
- Return your cameras with your pictures to the museum by this date.
- Sunday 21 September 2025
- Workshop to receive and discuss your developed and printed photos.
- From 22 September 2025
- Photographs created during the project will be featured in the exhibition.
We are looking for...
Creative expression - Show us your personal viewpoint, and how you capture the themes in your own way.
Reflection and personal connection - This project is an opportunity to combine photography and personal reflection on statements about the past, present and future.
Authenticity - There are no right or wrong answers: the photo instructions will give you a theme to reflect on, but you will have complete freedom in how you choose to interpret it.
Commitment to the project - We ask that you engage fully in the process, return your cameras by the specified deadline and attend group workshops. This collaborative experience will form the heart of the project.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Picture It! On your own...
You too, give it a try with your own camera and share the results in tagging the museum (@houseeuropeanhistory) on social media. We would love to see your creative shots! Come visit the exhibition to be inspired.
Click below for the full list!
27. Picture yourself.
26. Picture a trace of history you pass by every day.
25. Picture a heritage site in your neighbourhood that draws visitors.
24. Picture a souvenir.
23. Picture a crowd.
22. Picture a uniform.
21. Picture something fake.
20. Picture something/somebody people used to think was important.
19. Picture something/somebody you think is important.
18. Picture a hero.
17. Picture a monument.
16. Picture something in the street that was not there a year ago.
15. Picture something in the street you think will vanish soon.
14. Picture an object that makes you think immediately of your family.
13. Picture an object that is important to you.
12. Picture something very old.
11. Picture something very new.
10. Picture something that carries the weight of someone’s legacy.
9. Picture something your great-grandparents have never seen.
8. Picture something your great-grandchildren will never see.
7. Picture nature.
6. Picture hope.
5. Picture rage.
4. Picture joy.
3. Picture love.
2. Picture something that belongs in the House of European History.
1. Picture yourself again.