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Play our new virtual game: Incognito Society
9th November 2020
About us
Calling all UCL students! Join the Incognito Society, one of the UCL’s oldest societies of curiosity and creativity. Take the sorting quiz and find out which of the four Halls you belong to: will you be a Tangerine Penguin, Indigo Wolf, Sapphire Seahorse or a Crimson Eagle?
Every week, up until the 9 December, we will be launching new challenges, including designing your own secret handshake.
Join us on Zoom for Incognito Society’s virtual Social on Wednesday 18 November at 4pm to compete in this year’s Play-Off of Curiosity, a friendly contest dating back to 1911.
#IncognitoSociety
This online game was developed by interactive theatre-makers Coney and UCL Culture.
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Provost's Award Spotlight: 200 Years of Methodism in Stoke Newington
9th Oct 2017
One of the highlights in the UCL public engagement year is the Provost's Awards for Public Engagement. This takes place every year in the spring and recognises the fantastic work that UCL's staff and students do to open up research and teaching at UCL to the wider world by engaging with communities.There were seven winners earlier in the year – which you can read about here – but we had over fifty nominations from across UCL. With such a wealth of projects, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to shout about this work – which is all amazing. So we decided to run this new news feature - the Provost Awards Spotlight. This feature will run throughout the rest of the year in the run up to the next Awards, and will tell the stories of these individuals using their platform at UCL to mobilise, inspire and amplify.[[{"fid":"5575","view_mode":"medium","fields":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Ruth Slatter","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"left","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Ruth Slatter","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"left","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"400","width":"400","class":"media-element file-medium"}}]]This month we’re featuring Ruth Slatter, who has just completed her PhD in the UCL Department of Geography. Her research focuses on the material design of Methodist practices in London from 1851 to 1932 and the everyday experiences of their congregations.Ruth’s project, 200 Years of Methodism in Stoke Newington celebrated the anniversary of the first Methodist church built in Stoke Newington, and the opening of a brand new church on the original site. She told us, “The project aimed to engage both the church’s congregation and the local community in the history of Methodism in Stoke Newington and introduce them to the new church building, which was specifically designed to be a flexible space for community use”.[[{"fid":"5579","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"©Tim Crocker","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"©Tim Crocker","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"580","width":"870","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]]Ruth helped the church's launch by working with members of the church's community, local historians and a photographer to run events, produce a podcast, and host an exhibition of the area's historical geography. Julian Cowie, architect of the new development said of the church's opening ceremony, “the youngest member of the church unveiled the foundation stone which has been laid in the entrance foyer space and is inscribed with an excerpt from scripture that is important to the ethos of the church. The service was a joyous occasion filled with music and blessings for the new church and the Methodist community in Stoke Newington.”The words committed to stone like this seemed an appropriate symbol for the wider context of Ruth’s research. The idea of personal reflection being built into the fabric of the building is an interesting parallel to some of the questions Ruth was asking the congregation.“Part of my research is interested in exploring how the physical design of church buildings affects how people engage with their religious practices. For example, I ask questions like how does the arrangement of the seats affect what congregation members can see, how does the position of the windows and the light conditions influence the mood of the space?”[[{"fid":"5587","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church stained glass","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church stained glass","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"580","width":"712","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]Ruth commissioned photographer Susanne Hakuba to capture members of the congregation in the new church, in poses reflective of their faith. She displayed the photos with short testimonies - an idea we loved.[[{"fid":"5599","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"2000","width":"2000","class":"media-element file-large"}}]][[{"fid":"5603","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"2000","width":"2000","class":"media-element file-large"}}]][[{"fid":"5607","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"2000","width":"2000","class":"media-element file-large"}}]][[{"fid":"5611","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3EPhotography%20by%20Susanne%20Hakuba%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Congregation members","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3EPhotography%20by%20Susanne%20Hakuba%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"2000","width":"2000","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]“The portraits are much more than representations of congregation members in physical spaces and they begin to reveal how church spaces are 'metaphysical' spaces, spaces created by individuals' lived experience in, and memories of, these places. When these portraits were taken each congregation member was asked to stand in a pose that reflected their approach to worship and in the exhibition these portraits were accompanied by a short biography. These biographies included quotes from each congregation member about their experience of church, religion and faith".One congregation member said,"I like the Methodist Church, which is like a second home to me. If I don't come to church I feel very unhappy. I look forward to coming to church. I look forward to meeting people. I look forward to worshiping. I like the Methodist Church and their style of worshiping and I like their method of Christianity. The method is: 'All are welcome".Ruth’s inquisitive approach to public engagement has had a lasting impact on the church and its visitors. She told us, “The exhibition and events arranged to celebrate the church’s opening encouraged members of the local community to come into the church and they now host a community activity on nearly every day of the week!”[[{"fid":"5615","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stoke Newington Methodist church","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3E%26copy%3BTim%20Crocker%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"580","width":"870","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]Her work also leaves us with some really interesting questions to ponder, whether we are religious or not. How do the spaces you use each day affect your mentality? Do you have favourite places to go and think? How can we use spaces more effectively to create community?We’d love to hear your thoughts as we continue the conversation on Twitter @UCLCulture.
Art UK’s Sculpture Project launches at Art Museum
7th Aug 2017
The Art UK Sculpture Project, which launched in July at the UCL Art Museum will run for three years, and capture seldom-seen works from collections across the country making them freely available online. The charitable organisation which has secured a £2.8 million National Lottery grant for the work, aims to catalogue around 170,000 sculptures. The project will focus on works from the last thousand years (which is probably enough to be getting on with!) exploring a hugely diverse range of cultures from twelfth-century Nigeria, Victorian Britain, and Tokugawa-period Japan, to Renaissance Italy and 1960s New York.Keen followers of UCL Museums news may remember an equally ambitious project by the charity, to digitise 200,000 oil paintings of international significance from around 3000 British collections. You can see the results of the project here, and the UCL Art Museum pieces here.[[{"fid":"5151","view_mode":"super_xl","fields":{"format":"super_xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Art UK banner","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"super_xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Art UK banner","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"311","width":"1902","class":"media-element file-super-xl"}}]]This project will focus attention on works of a three-dimensional nature, something that’s long overdue says Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund for London, “Wherever you are in the UK you can find public sculpture, quietly existing within our parks, museums and squares. Sculpture can be extraordinary, emotive, even challenging and yet, many of us are unaware that this sort of world-class artwork is on our doorstep and free to access. Thanks to National Lottery players we’re able to help Art UK raise awareness of our sculpture heritage by developing its interactive website with exciting activity to get people involved, inspired and exploring this fascinating collection.”[[{"fid":"5147","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Front Portico sculpture","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Front Portico sculpture","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"640","width":"751","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]It will help in understanding the history of artists at UCL, says Helen Downes of the Art Museum, “Despite being part of the Slade curriculum since the establishment of the school in 1871, sculpture is severely underrepresented in UCL Art Museum’s collection, with only a handful of prize-winning works having been retained. The new Art UK project may help us locate works by artists who won prizes but whose works were not kept by the school, helping us to build a much better picture of the teaching and development of Sculpture at the Slade School.“As one of the first public collections to collaborate with Art UK (then the Public Catalogue Foundation) in 2005, to digitise and make publicly available our paintings collection, we know first-hand the benefits such a resource can provide. It facilitates research and enables us to make contact and broaden our network with other museums and collections.”The ART UK website not only catalogues artworks, but provides opportunity for dialogue with the public about little-known pieces. Helen told us, “Through the Art Detective facility, people can provide us with information on works via the site which may otherwise remain unknown”. This crowdsourcing of expertise has been successful in identifying work by Walter Sickert, the locations of previously unknown landscape paintings, the longest-running investigation lasting more than a year and involving art historians from around the world. You can read the fascinating discoveries here.[[{"fid":"5159","view_mode":"medium","fields":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Art UK map","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"https://artuk.org/visit/region/london","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"left","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Art UK map","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"https://artuk.org/visit/region/london","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"left","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"521","width":"590","class":"media-element file-medium"}}]]Art UK’s Sculpture Project team will travel up and down the country to photograph the works, using 3D photographic techniques in some cases. The project will also offer a UK-wide training and volunteering programme, offering nearly 2,000 people across the UK opportunities to gain photography, digitisation and other museum-centred skills, meaning important work can continue long after this project ends. The first sculptures will be available to view online in early 2018. Watch this space for updates!
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