‘Specimens to Superhumans’: exploring perceptions of disability through art
12 May 2011
Sinéad O'Donnell, Brian Catling and Katherine Araniello have been commissioned by artist and curator Aaron Williamson to respond to the Hunterian's collection of medical and surgical artefacts and create 'Living Exhibits' that reflect the lived history of disability and physical impairment.
After the performance, the BBC's Science Correspondent Richard Hollingham will be joined by artists Aaron Williamson and Katherine Araniello; Director of the Hunterian Museum, Sam Alberti; and D'Oyly Carte Chair of Medicine and the Arts, Kings College London, Professor Brian Hurwitz for a live discussion. The panel will dissect the historical representation of disability and contemporary approaches taken by the medical community, specifically in medical training.
‘Labyrinth of Living Exhibits’ is the first event of ‘Specimens to Superhumans’, a new series of events curated by The Arts Catalyst and Shape looking at contemporary issues around biomedical science, disability and ethics and how these are explored, represented and critiqued in art.
The series continues next month at the Cheltenham Science Festival with ‘Alternative Ways of Thinking’, two events focusing on autism and dyslexia.
In 'Exploring the Autistic Mind', Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, will lead a discussion on aspects of creativity and the autistic mind. At a time when the media frequently feature stories about screening for or even 'curing' autism, presenting it as an affliction or disease, this event will investigate how people with autism can lead full lives, often excelling at science, art or music. Artist and geologist Jon Adams, who has Asperger's Syndrome, will also join the discussion, along with artist-activist Ben Connors and Gabriel Hardistry-Miller, a non-verbal man with autism. Ben and Gabriel are co-founders of PigPen, a regular club night for artists, musicians and people on the autism spectrum.
Also at Cheltenham, artist Benedict Phillips - who has dyslexia - will give a humorous and thought-provoking performance highlighting our presumptions about intelligence, communication and perception. '3D Thinkers in a 2D World' will unravel the numerous misconceptions surrounding dyslexia and will present some of the unusual advantages it brings.
'Specimens to Superhumans' is supported by a Wellcome Trust People Award and is curated and produced by The Arts Catalyst and Shape in partnership with Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons and The Times Cheltenham Science Festival.
A further two events investigating ideas about ageing, cyborgs and disability are planned for later in the year.
Specimens to Superhumans
Labyrinth of Living Exhibits
Thursday 12 May 2011
Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons, London, WC2A 3PE
Katherine Araniello, Brian Catling, Sinéad O'Donnell, Aaron Williamson and Richard Hollingham
Performances: 18.15-19.30 | Panel discussion: 19.45
Admission FREE |
Book online
Alternative Ways of Thinking
Friday 10 June 2011
The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, Town Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA
'Exploring the Autistic Mind', 16.30-17.30
Jon Adams, Simon Baron-Cohen, Ben Connors and Gabriel Hardistry-Miller
Tickets £7* (£6) |
Book online
*A special concession price of £5 is available for deaf and disabled people. Call 01242 505 444 and quote SHAPE2011 or book online
here.
'3D Thinkers in a 2D World', 20.00-21.00
Benedict Phillips
Tickets £10* (£8) |
Book online
*A special concession price of £5 is available for deaf and disabled people. Call 01242 505 444 and quote SHAPE2011 or book online
here.
Image credit: Aaron Williamson.
