What's On at UCL Museums & Collections

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Full listings of events for all collections (including exhibitions)

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MODEL TRANSLATIONS

Date: 27 November 2011 - 30 April 2012 | Time: 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am - 5pm Saturday | Location: Octagon Gallery | Price: Free | Age group: Any |

The first ever exhibition in the Octagon Gallery is Model Translations. This exhibition showcases objects – some never displayed before – from the art, anthropology, archaeology, engineering, pathology and zoology collections. These objects reveal creative encounters and explorations between scholars and the natural and made environment, but at times materialise world views that are problematic and difficult to reconcile today. Five of UCL's Mellon Fellows – Antony Hudek, Sarah Byrne, Federica Mazzara, Richard Mole and Claire Thomson – have chosen a selection of objects that speak to, and translate, different aspects of their own research. This exhibition is supported by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation of New York.

020 7679 3163 | sussanah.chan@ucl.ac.uk


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PLASTERED

Date: 21 January - 19 April | Time: 1pm-5pm | Location: UCL Art Museum, South Cloisters, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: All |

UCL Art Museum is delighted to present Plastered, an exhibition about plaster and the casting process highlighting the sculpture models of the neoclassical artist John Flaxman (1755-1826). A pioneer during an age of industrialism, Flaxman was the first British sculptor to use the technique as a consistent part of his working practice, revealing early on the material’s extraordinary versatility.

Shown alongside Flaxman’s art will be more unusual applications of plaster, including Victorian death masks used for the early study of eugenics and casts of human pathological specimens from the Great Ormond Street Hospital Collection.


020 7679 2540 | college.art@ucl.ac.uk


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THE MICRARIUM: A PLACE FOR TINY THINGS

Date: Permanent Installation | Time: Museum opening hours | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL, University Street, London WC1e 6DE | Price: Free |

The Micrarium is a place for tiny things - somewhere to come and explore the microscopic specimens at the Grant Museum.

It’s often said that 95% of known animal species are smaller than your thumb, but have you noticed how most museums fill their displays with big animals? We intend to right this wrong, and in January 2013 we’ll be building a Micrarium.

We have converted an old office/storeroom into a beautiful back-lit cave displaying some of the tiniest specimens in the collection, on wall-to-wall microscope slides. Museums very rarely display objects like this, and we are experimenting with an aesthetic way of doing so.

020 3108 2052 | zoology.museum@ucl.ac.uk


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FOREIGN BODIES

Date: 18 March – 14 July 2013 | Time: 9am – 5pm | Location: North Cloisters, Wilkins Building, UCL, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: Any |

Where do we end and the object world begin?

An exhibition curated by UCL Researchers in Museums, re-interpreting the university collections through the theme of ‘foreign bodies’. Through seven very different research projects, audiences are invited to explore the idea of what is alien – biologically, psychologically, socially and politically – and how this concept has shifted across history, culture and even species.

A sword that fatally wounded a sword swallower; ingested coins and nails; parasites and ticks are displayed alongside objects that enter the body through less conventional ways. Ink, introduced into the skin to create tattoos, may also inadvertently introduce dangerous microorganisms. The tattooed body has itself often been used to highlight difference: the way we define ourselves by first defining the ‘other’. Similarly, primates may be considered to be the ultimate foreign bodies, against which we define what it is to be human.

An exhibition trail leading visitors through UCL Museums to discover other "foreign bodies" hidden within the collections, will be take place once a week during museums opening hours. Each Friday at 2pm (from April 5th), a curator-led tour will begin in the North Cloisters, highlighting different parts of the trail.

Image taken on behalf of Engle Entertainment for 'The Mummy Road Show' on National Geographic


Website: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/researchers-in-museums/foreign-bodies/
Twitter: @ResearchEngager

researchersinmuseums@ucl.ac.uk


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PROCESS POP-UP: SLADE BRONZE LAB

Date: 23 April | Time: 1-5 pm | Location: UCL Art Museum South Cloisters University College London London WC1E 6BT | Price: FREE | Age group: ALL |

Investigating experimental approaches to the use of bronze, the 'Bronze Lab' is a research project initiated by the Slade School of Fine Arts that took place in the Slade Workshop during a week in February 2013.

For this pop-up exhibition and talk, the founders of the Bronze Lab and the Slade students who were selected to participate in the bronze pour will discuss the project and present the works that were created during that week. This is also an opportunity to discuss new processes and the possibility of future multidisciplinary research projects.

Photograph by Grace Hailstone


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FLAXMAN EXCHANGE LECTURE

Date: 8 May | Time: 6:30-8:30 pm | Location: Chadwick Lecture Theatre Gower Street London WC1E 6BT | Price: FREE, booking required: http://flaxmanexchangelecture.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: All |

Artist Marcia Farquhar reflects on the creation and the legacy of the Flaxman Exchange project, UCL Art Museum's inaugural Flaxman Gallery artist commission.
The event is free but booking is required at: http://flaxmanexchangelecture.eventbrite.co.uk


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HISTORY REWRITTEN: POST REVOLUTIONARY GRAFITTI IN CAIRO

Date: 2 May | Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free drop in event | Age group: ANY |

Soraya Morayef -Journalist and blogger from Cairo, will introduce images of of street art in Egypt after the revolution before focusing specifically on the artist Alaa Awad, who made magnificent murals that replicated ancient Egyptian temple murals and symbols, yet changed some elements to make them more relevant to the political events unfolding in Egypt over the past two years.




0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (1967) ON THE BIG SCREEN

Date: 2 May | Time: 6.30-9pm | Location: J.Z. Young Theatre, Anatomy Building, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: Adults |

The thriller that began five million years ago in another world has come to the Grant Museum of Zoology. Deep beneath the streets of London a construction team make a chilling discovery, ancient human remains alongside a missile of unknown origin. Digging back into the past will reveal more horror than the human mind can bear and address the question of how we came to be on this planet. Meanwhile the missile begins to unleash primeval instincts buried deep within the human psyche.

Historian of Biology and film-buff Professor Joe Cain (UCL Science and Technology Studies) will introduce this surprisingly scary film. The film is followed by a free drinks reception in a private view of the Museum. This event is free and there is no need to book.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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TIMEKEEPER WORKSHOP: ALTERNATIVE CV-WRITING

Date: 4 May | Time: Workshop starts 2-4pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free but booking essential http://alternativecv.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: ANY |

Museum timelines, Facebook’s timeline format and the traditional CV all represent the past as a line of events. But do they really represent time as it is lived? Do they too often edit out the events that count most? By modelling what life should look like, do they even shape what it is to be human? In response, can we reinvent the CV form so that it liberates our thinking and helps us respond better to future challenges? Join Petrie’s Timekeeper Cathy Haynes to find out how artists and thinkers have subverted the linear life map in the past, and spend the afternoon experimenting with inventing better ways of mapping your life.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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THE GORGON

Date: 9 May | Time: Doors open at 6pm talk and film start at 6.15pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free but booking at http://gorgon.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: 12 and over |

Join us in unique ancient world surroundings to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of actor Peter Cushing's birth for a screening of this classic Hammer Film. Ancient evil and early twentieth century science collide as Cushing battles both Christopher Lee's archaeology professor and the baleful gaze of the Gorgon herself. Introduced by John J. Johnston.

020 7679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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TOMB RAIDERS

Date: 14 -30 May 2013 | Time: Tues-Sat 1-5pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free drop in exhibition | Age group: ANY |

An exhibition from the students at Central St Martin's UAL working in response to the Petrie Collection. Petrie may be described as the founder of modern archaeology, developing mehtods and techniques still emplyed today and, in so doing, attaching value to objects of daily use in order to better inform our understnading of the lives of the ancient individuals who uilised thse artefacts.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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TOMB RAIDERS

Date: 16 May | Time: Doors open at 6pm presentation starts at 6.30pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free but booking essential at http://tombraiders.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: ANY |

An opening event to mark an exhibition from the students at Central St Martin's UAL working in response to the Petrie Collection. Students will be on hand to present their work, offering a chance to talk to them and view the exhibition with drinks.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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IT'S ELEMENTAL! UCL MUSEUMS TREASURE HUNT

Date: 17 May | Time: 6:30-8:30pm | Location: Chadwick lecture theatre, Chadwick Building, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: Adults |

Hunt up a storm of objects related to the four elements in UCL Museums. Solve the clues to discover the rocks formed in the fires of the planet, the animals that glide through the air, the treasures dug from the earth and the water(colours) of art. There are prizes to be won by the team who solves and collects all the elements and locates every artifact required from art, geology, Egyptian archaeology and zoology. The event is followed by a free drinks reception and a private view of the Grant Museum of Zoology. This event is part of Museums at Night and is free, there is no need to book.

020 3108 2052 (Grant Museum) and 0207 679 4138 (Petrie Museum) | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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STATUS, LUXURY AND CELEBRITY- ANCIENT EGYPT THROUGH A NIGHT OF PERFUME EXPLORATION

Date: 23 May | Time: Doors open at 6pm and event start at 6.30pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free but booking essential at http://odetteperfume.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: ANY |

Take a trip back to Ancient Egypt and relive the Pharaoh's time with fragrance expert Odette Toilette and Archaeologist and aromatherapist Sian O'Flynn. Find out which incense was so favoured for importing by Queen Hatshepsut and match the perfumes to Egyptian personalities with nose on activity !

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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INCREDIBLE INVERTEBRATES

Date: 28 May - 1 June | Time: 1-5pm | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE | Price: Free | Age group: All |

Creepy crawlies, bugs, pests, call them what you like but this half-term we will be celebrating the wonderful world of invertebrates. Come face to face with some of our deadly scorpions, our beautiful octopi and our incredible sea mice. Join us to take part in fun hands-on specimen based activities and get inventive with designing your own insect. This event is free and there is no need to book. Drop in between 1pm and 5pm.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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SCULPTURE SEASON

Date: 5 June - 31 August | Time: 1-5pm | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE | Price: Free | Age group: All |

Sculpture students from the Slade School of Fine Art at UCL have been invited to create works in response to the Museum’s collections. The brief is wide – they may place sculptures among the Museum’s own specimens, take over entire cabinets, or make other spatial interventions such as walks, tours, recordings or texts for visitors to experience. These events will free. Visit the Museum website near the time for final details of the season

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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THE FLEA CIRCUS - THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH

Date: 5 June | Time: 6:30-8:30pm | Location: J.Z. Young Theatre, Anatomy Building, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: Adults |

Fleas pulling chariots, riding tricycles and even fighting duels with perfectly crafted miniature swords. Don’t believe it? Well, roll-up roll-up and let Tim Cockerill, zoologist/sideshow performer persuade you that until recently the flea circus was a genuine spectacle that amazed audiences. From first hand accounts from the last ‘Flea Circus Professors’ to previously unseen footage and photos of fleas in action you will be astounded at the once secret techniques used to train these tiny insects. The event is followed by a free drinks reception in a private view of the museum and a chance to see Tim’s flea circus collection. This event is free and there is no need to book.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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Date: 8 June | Time: 1.30- 4pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: Free but places limited to 12 booking essential at http://artefact.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: 18+ |

Be inspired by one of the many ojects in an object handling session in the Petrie Collection to write a short story led by writer and journalist and former BBC scriptwriter Lucy Blincoe with an introduction to Egyptian writing by PHd researcher Max Pinarello.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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TIMEKEEPER IN RESIDENCE INSTALLATION

Date: 11 June - 2 August | Time: Tues -Sat 1-5pm | Location: The Petrie Museum | Price: FREE | Age group: ANY |

Petrie's temporary Timekeeper's installtion explores the many different ideas from across history and culture about what time is and how to picture it.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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BEETLE BINGO

Date: 19 June | Time: 6.30-8.30pm | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE | Price: Free | Age group: Adults |

Cast away memories of the Bingo Hall of yesteryear, eyes down and have your dabbers at the ready as we bring you a special night of insect related revelry in our very first bingo night. Gone are the numbers instead we are adding our own Grant Museum twist on the classic game with some beautiful, gruesome and incredible insects from our collection as well as using appropriate entomological puns. Join us as we take an alternative look at the world of insects. This event is free but booking is essential www.beetlebingo.eventbrite.co.uk. Booking opens Monday 6 May.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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TIMEKEEPER IN RESIDENCE

Date: 22 June | Time: 1-4pm | Location: Wilkins Roof Garden | Price: Free drop in | Age group: ANY |

Mark the turn of the year with seasonal rites on Wilkins roof garden in celebration of the temporary Timekeeper installation in the Petrie Museum.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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THE KILLER SHREWS (1959) ON THE BIG SCREEN

Date: 4 July | Time: 6:30-9pm | Location: J.Z. Young Theatre, Anatomy Building, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT | Price: Free | Age group: Adults |

Working on a remote island in a secret scientific facility Dr. Radford Baines is attempting to solve world hunger, his solution, to shrink people to half the size. His work has unintended consequences as a group of visitors to the island discover, giant shrews with a taste for human flesh! Will this intrepid group of explorers escape the island with their lives?
Historian of Biology and film-buff Professor Joe Cain (UCL Science and Technology Studies) will introduce what promises to a classic film night film. The film is followed by a free drinks reception in a private view of the Museum. This event is free and there is no need to book.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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PETRIE'S SET: A WALKING TOUR EGYPTOLOGICAL BLOOMSBURY

Date: 6 July | Time: Starts at the Petrie Museum at 12noon and ends at around 2pm at The Petrie Museum. | Price: Free and places limited so booking essential at http://petriewalk.eventbrite.co.uk | Age group: 18 + |

Join Egyptologist John J Johnston as he takes you around the regular haunts of Professor Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie and his fascinataing academic circle during the 'Golden Age' of British Egyptology where you will be introduced to tales of the Egyptologists who lived and worked in Bloomsbury between 1882 and 1933.

0207 679 4138 | h.pike@ucl.ac.uk


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SHOW 'N' TELL: ZIEGLER WAX MODELS

Date: 18 July | Time: 1-2pm | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE | Price: Free | Age group: All |

Show’N’Tell, that great American tradition, is coming to the Grant Museum of Zoology. We have invited the people who work and research here at UCL to showcase an object from the Museum’s collection and tell you what they know about it. For our very first Show’N’Tell Dr. Brendan Clarke from the Department of Science and Technology Studies will be presenting our fascinating wax model collection. So join us for a lunchtime and discover the stories hidden away in our collection. This event is free and there is no need to book.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk


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RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

Date: 30 July - 3 August | Time: 1-5pm | Location: Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE | Price: Free | Age group: All |

The tropical rainforests of the world are full of beautiful and bizarre animals. We are starting the summer holidays with a trip into the jungle to uncover the animals that make the jungle their home. Bring along your brave explorer and discover exactly who is swinging in the trees, rustling in the undergrowth and soaring on the breeze. Join us to take part in fun hands-on specimen based activities. This event is free and there is no need to book. Drop in between 1pm and 5pm.

020 3108 2052 | d.veall@ucl.ac.uk