NEW EXHIBITION ANNOUNCED: ENCHANTED BY GOLD

Gold universally symbolises wealth, power, divinity, and spirituality. Yet this metal has a darker side. Across the world, this precious metal has sparked an unquenchable thirst – a longing that has built and destroyed nations, enriched and impoverished people, and altered the course of history. Enchanted by GOLD tells the broader story. With over 436 objects, ranging from historical artefacts to contemporary artworks by nineteen artists from ten different countries, the exhibition explores the dual nature of gold: its power to connect and to dazzle, to inspire admiration and sow division.

The exhibition begins in the cosmos, where visitors witness the birth of gold through the collision of neutron stars. The first theme, Infinite Gold, highlights the unique properties that make gold the world’s most coveted material. Through interactive displays and audiovisual effects, visitors learn how gold came into being, and they explore its various forms, from gold ore to microchips. Gold Mine delves into the dark side of gold extraction. Visitors pass through a dimly lit corridor illustrating the harsh realities of gold mining, conveyed through animated films by William Kentridge and striking photographs by Sebastião Salgado. This theme explores where and how gold is mined and examines innovative approaches to future gold extraction, such as urban mining and space mining on asteroids. 

Majestic Gold transports visitors to a magnificent treasure chamber filled with golden artefacts belonging to kings, emperors, and religious leaders. Here, golden crowns, thrones, and jewels are displayed alongside divine altars and offerings that underscore gold’s spiritual and political significance. In Golden Glamour, visitors are surrounded by the allure and greed associated with gold, where status, beauty, and popularity take centre stage. From jewellery and fashion accessories to trophies and awards, this theme investigates the appeal of gold in popular culture and shows how gold elevates our status.

The Gold Price theme takes a closer look at the economic value of gold. In an impressive, business-like setting, visitors discover how gold has been used as currency throughout the ages, with insights into the impact of today’s fluctuating gold prices. These initial chapters set the stage for the exhibition’s core: the stunning objects largely drawn from the Wereldmuseum’s own collection. Coveted Gold explores the tangible and intangible meanings of gold, from the world of alchemy to the spiritual power of the precious metal. Young visitors can step into the world of early alchemists, who pursued the elusive formula for creating gold in vain. 

The exhibition concludes with Immortal Gold, examining the role of gold in the afterlife. This space, dedicated to the spiritual significance of gold, features death masks by Marina Abramović as well as a landmark work by James Lee Byars: his performance and installation The Death of James Lee Byars (originally performed in 1994). In this final piece of his career, Byars sought to help others face life’s inevitable end. The installation is meticulously reconstructed here, offering visitors a contemplative close to the exhibition with a profound portrayal of death as a process of transformation and gold as a symbol of spiritual wealth.   

With an extensive selection of objects from its own collection, such as gold jewellery from the Liefkes collection, Asante gold, pre-Colombian gold, various Japanese artefacts from the Edo period, and diplomatic gifts to the Netherlands from Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, the exhibition presents a timeless view of the undeniable value gold has always held. Additionally, contemporary objects, loans, and props highlight the current significance of gold. For Enchanted by GOLD, the contemporary artist and fashion designer Mirte Engelhart has created a unique piece, which will be unveiled in the exhibition. This exclusive work of fashion, titled Heart of Gold, interactively shares the personal stories of five gold enthusiasts. These creations, along with insights from contemporary artists and designers, offer a comprehensive view of gold in today’s world and hint at the future of this precious material.

Enchanted by GOLD goes beyond the supernatural allure and beauty of gold. It addresses the profound impact of gold exploitation on people and nature and presents solutions such as Fairtrade mining. Visitors gain insight into the darker side of gold mining, which has increasingly destructive effects on our planet, and explore how society’s growing desire for status and image perpetuates the obsessive relationship between humans and this material. These themes are closely connected to current social debates on climate change, geopolitics, colonialism, provenance research, and restitution.  The environmental consequences are devastating – from large-scale deforestation and water pollution to the release of hazardous chemicals such as mercury. An interactive world map reveals gold mining locations across the globe, encouraging visitors to reflect on the ecological footprint of gold extraction. Often, gold is mined in regions where workers work under abysmal conditions. A section of the exhibition sheds light on the plight of workers in the gold mines and examines how global demand for gold perpetuates human injustice. The historical context of gold extraction is linked to contemporary forms of neocolonialism, while the economic power of nations and companies involved in gold extraction is also discussed, along with the impact on local populations. Gold continues to play a critical role in global geopolitics. The exhibition illustrates how control over gold reserves fuels conflicts between nations and perpetuates economic inequality.

Wereldmuseum Leiden invites everyone to visit Enchanted by GOLD and reflect on the role of gold in our past, present, and future. This new exhibition offers a deep exploration of the historical and cultural significance of gold, encouraging visitors to consider the ethical and environmental questions that are becoming increasingly pressing in our time. 

The exhibition Enchanted by GOLD can be seen at Wereldmuseum Leiden from 2 January 2025 to 26 October 2025.