Comments on: Superhuman exhibit at the Wellcome Collection

Superhuman exhibit at the Wellcome Collection

iamkimiam — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:39:36 -0800

Kattullus and myself both happen to be in London for the weekend. There's already a full-packed Saturday plan, but for those who can't make it or know they won't be able to get enough MeFites IRL, come join us on Friday! We are planning on meeting outside the Wellcome Collection at 1pm, to check out the Superhuman exhibit. Food and drink will likely happen afterwards.

From the Time Out London link about about the exhibit:

the Wellcome's 'Superhuman' exhibition looks at the history of mankind's efforts to enhance physical performance and athletic ability, with a nod to the achievements of elite athletes at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. From an early prosthesis, found in an ancient Egyptian tomb, to the latest attempts to connect artificial limbs to the nervous system, the show looks at a range of enhancements, including aids to sight and hearing, such as the earliest spectacles and ear trumpets and recent developments in the use of nano- and biotechnology. The show opens with a playful look at what constitutes an enhancement, from everyday objects such as glasses and false teeth to sex aids and iphones, and investigates the benefits and side effects of their use. A focus is the long history of prosthetics, both as enabling devices and covers for society's discomfort with missing body parts. Artefacts include a nineteenth-century silver nose attached to spectacles for a women disfigured by syphilis; there's also footage of prosthetic legs being parachuted into Afghanistan in Mohsen Makhmalbaf's film 'Kandahar'. The third instalment of Matthew Barney's 'Cremaster' series sees model, athlete and double amputee Aimee Mullins performing roles involving beautiful and metamorphic prostheses, which grant surreally envisaged superpowers. Other video works include Dorothy Cross's 'Eyemaker', which follows an ocularist's creation of a glass eye. Fantasies of human transformation are explored through comic characters such as Dr Octopus. The history of adaptions made in pursuit of athletic advantage is illustrated by exhibits including the patents of Nike's early waffle sole trainers and a display about the rise of isotonic drinks.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:12:26 -0800

It's super!

By: kairab

kairab — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:00:38 -0800

Wilder and I are trying to make it. Staying with a human/medical theme, if interested we could afterwards take you to the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons where she works.

By: kairab

kairab — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:01:16 -0800

And then for a pint (or three) ...

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:34:08 -0800

That's excellent news, Lauren. I arrived in London today. For finding each other purposes: I look basically like my profile picture except shorterhaired and beardfree, so now I look like a teenager apparently, based on the questions I get from people in drinking establishments =)

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:40:00 -0800

The ghost of Steve Jobs changed kairab to Lauren in my last comment. That and my sister welcomed me to London by taking me out for martinis.

By: iamkimiam

iamkimiam — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:55:47 -0800

I'm stuck on the slowest train from Sheffield to London, via Retford. Stupid, intentionally mean ticket seller...should have gone with the machine! Getting to London Kings Cross at 12:30 and will try to scuttle over to Euston station ASAP. May be a few minutes late. Contact me at iamkimiam using your preferred social network if you need to get in touch. :)

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:46:00 -0800

Alright, I'm heading now for the Wellcome Building. I'm wearing a light gray coat. I'll try to situate myself in or by the lobby (I hope this place has a lobby).

By: iamkimiam

iamkimiam — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:49:58 -0800

I should be on time, see you in an hour-ish.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:53:16 -0800

I've arrived. Sitting at a table right by the entrance.

By: Wilder

Wilder — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 03:46:50 -0800

Great mini-meet-up you guys!

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 07:10:19 -0800

Yeah, I've been telling everyone about the Superhuman exhibit and the Hunterian. It was super.

By: kairab

kairab — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 07:13:23 -0800

Great Weekend outing(s) all round - excellent company and good fun! Glad to have met so many interesting MeFites. Must do something like this again some time ... perhaps closer to Xmas.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:01:01 -0800

Oh, incidentally... I finally looked it up, that Bennett Foddy guy on the six-split-screen video at the Superhuman exhibit was indeed the Foddy of cortex derail fame.