Nieuw / uilenspel 1832 - 1850

This is "Nieuw / uilenspel," a game board created by Paulus Emans, sometime before his death in 1846. Paulus Emans lived during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The rise of industrialization, urbanization, and new social classes were transforming the fabric of society. The game board itself is structured as a circle, divided into sections, each containing an image. Around the edges are symbols of everyday life, from birds to anchors, musical instruments, and even weapons. At its center are an owl and an hourglass. In Dutch "uilenspel" translates to "owl game." The game becomes a mirror reflecting the values, aspirations, and anxieties of the time. What do we make of a game, which features symbols of both leisure and labor, peace and conflict? Perhaps the game doesn't offer answers, but a space to playfully negotiate the complexities of life. This game invites us to consider how our lives are shaped by chance and choice, and how these games both reflect and shape our understanding of the world around us.