Lawrence of Arabia

Thomas Edward Lawrence was one of the key figures who rendered outstanding services in the Arabian rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. However, he only became a legend with the release of David Lean's film "Lawrence of Arabia" in 1962. Between these two poles - the historic figure and the film legend - lies the fascinating mythos of a modern hero who tragically fails in his ambition to help the Arabs gain independence from the colonial powers.
Directed by the curator Detlef Hoffmann, the exhibition was based on two pools of material - the photos Lawrence took during his travels and the artistic works he completed for his international best-selling autobiography "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" (1926). The goal was to present a multi-facetted image of Lawrence of Arabia - as an exceptional figure of contemporary history and an idealized, modern-day media legend.

Project director: Mamoun Fansa
Curator: Detlef Hoffmann
Artistic advisor: Rainer Wittenborn

Venues and schedule:
Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch, Oldenburg, 21 Nov. 2010 - 27 Mar. 2011
Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, Cologne, 29 Apr. - 11 Sep. 2011