London Trip 24/10/2023
As part of the london trip to the Wellcome Collection Being Human complimented genetic Automata.
Being Human explores what it means to be human in the 21st century. It reflects our hopes and fears about new forms of medical knowledge, and our changing relationships with ourselves, each other and the world. https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/XNFfsxAAANwqbNWD
Featuring 50 artworks and objects, the gallery is divided into four sections: Genetics, Minds & Bodies, Infection, and Environmental Breakdown. Discover a refugee astronaut carrying their belongings to an unknown destination, sniff a perfumed bronze sculpture that smells of breast milk, listen to an epidemic jukebox, and watch a fast-food outlet slowly flood.
Yinka Shonibare’s ‘Refugee Astronaut’ encourages us to ask questions: who are they? Why have they had to leave earth in such a hurry? If you look closely at the possessions on their back you can find books, photographs and intriguing objects: a telescope, a camera, even a frying pan.
This interactive jukebox is loaded with songs from around the world relating to illness and epidemics. You can listen to hits like ‘Let’s Talk about PrEP’ (PrEP is pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV) and ‘Ebola in Town’. Each track lights up and designers Kin worked with Bethan Laura Wood to include a rotating glass sculpture.
This is a wonderful idea and I have posted the lovely song by Slayer-Epidemic.
Look closely at this pillbox and collecting tin and you might be surprised. The tin’s supposed charity is ‘Help the Normals’. In tiny letters, it explains ‘Give generously – they won’t’. The ‘Dignity’ pillboxes also feature thought-provoking instructions. Dolly Sen created these objects as a protest that encourages us to shift our perspectives on disability.
I love these and they reflect a truth by using humour.
Another highlight for me was the transparent woman (anatomical figure). You press the buttons on this 1980s anatomical model to see different organs light up around the body. The aim is to teach anatomy, but such figures can also reinforce ideas about what is ‘normal’. There is no scope in a single model to represent differences – this is a generic ‘woman’ rather than an individual.
overall an interesting and varied exhibition that explored the fragility of humanity whether that is physical or bacterial.
This is explored in various mediums including video installations, sculptures, drawings and conceptual art.
Rusty'sArtWerk 