Vorige
'I do not exist' 2020
‘The world needs to know this’
In 2020, we presented the poignant exhibition ‘I Do Not Exist’ (‘Ik besta niet’). The exhibition drew attention to the lives of the Rohingya, one of the largest stateless populations in the world. For years, nearly a million people—half of whom are children—have lived in refugee camps in Bangladesh, often unseen and without any prospects for the future.
In November 2019, photographer Ruben Timman and writer Maarten Nota traveled to the camps in Cox’s Bazar. There, they met Rohingya people who had fled their homeland following extreme violence in Myanmar. Through personal conversations and powerful, direct portraits, they offered these individuals something they are so often denied: visibility and dignity.
Behind the scenes in Bangladesh
Fundraising campaign
Powerful collaboration with Tearfund
Fundraising campaign
Powerful collaboration with Tearfund
The exhibition ‘I Do Not Exist’ brought these stories to the Netherlands, making tangible what statistics cannot convey. In collaboration with EO-Metterdaad and the relief organization Tearfund, the Museum of Humanity drew attention to this humanitarian crisis and raised funds for aid efforts in the camps. In total, this generated several hundred thousand euros for vital assistance.
Masterpieces printed
Masterpieces printed
Our little mobile printer travels with us to every corner of the globe. Everyone featured in the Museum of Humanity collection receives a physical or digital version of their own 'masterpiece'—including the Rohingya people in Bangladesh.
Timelapse
Setting up the exhibition 'I Do Not Exist'
Timelapse
Setting up the exhibition 'I Do Not Exist'
In our museum in Zaandam, we displayed the striking portraits using photo banners that were several meters high.
Recent project about the Rohingya
'Echoes of Myanmar'
Recent project about the Rohingya
'Echoes of Myanmar'
In 2025, we were once again able to draw attention to the plight and suffering of the Rohingya. In October 2025, we presented 'Echoes of Myanmar' at The Hague City Hall. The campaign was a robust collaboration involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, Stichting Vluchteling (the Netherlands Refugee Foundation), the Hope Foundation, and the IOM.
Echoes of Myanmar 2025
Maarten is happy to think things through with you
Organize a pop-up exhibition with us?
Do you want to shine a light on a forgotten group or crisis? We would be happy to brainstorm with you on how we can develop an impactful project together, using portraits, video, and storytelling.
