Stapferhaus and Klinik Barmelweid Turn Museum into Group Therapy Experiment

The Stapferhaus in Lenzburg, Switzerland, partnered with Klinik Barmelweid to stage "From Me to We: A Group Experiment," a two-session event where thirty strangers sat in a circle with no script or plan, guided only by group analyst Joram Ronel. The experiment emerged from Ronel's opening-night talk for the museum's exhibition "Health: An Exhibition with Side Effects," after visitors asked to join actual group therapy. Co-director Sonja Enz noted the museum normally uses art and storytelling but here offered minimal structure. Ronel's approach placed participants in a state of "not belonging" to observe how the group self-regulated. Psychology student Laura Kunert observed the sessions, noting initial nervous energy broken by a participant who called her nightmare come true. Over two evenings, participants discussed loneliness and connection. Ronel described the setting as "a structure without structure." The collaboration demonstrated cross-institutional potential, with Enz stating the museum wants to continue experimenting with formats that fit its topics. Stapferhaus is already developing a next exhibition on security and risk. Enz and Ronel presented this work at the Museums & Wellness Summit 2026.