Natural History Museum
This activity involved two performers grabbing children from the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum and their subsequent categorisation (ie: fossil / pterodactyl / fungus / gorilla).
Using a toolbelt of string, balloons, gaffatape and ping pong balls, along with an assortment of charity shop clothing and found objects, the specimen were constructed, followed by display in either a human-sized display case or display draw (as per the professional etymologists at the NHM). A massive pin was driven through the child’s thorax at which point the families were invited to photograph the strange creations as a keep-sake.
Specimen Preparation ran for a few consecutive half terms and holidays at the museum as it proved a popular offer and a hands-on activity.
(Specimen Preparation was initially created as part of ‘The Campsite’ take-over of the Natural History Museum for Autumn Half Term, 2012. ‘The Campsite’ was a pop up venue co-curated by Emma between 2012 - 2016 and also seen at the Cambridge Museum Consortium, Latitude Festival and The New Wolsey, Ipswich. The team also facilitated an artists retreat for two years in West Cornwall.
FILTER WORK BY:
PERFORMANCE // WRITING // VOICE WORK // WORKSHOPS // VISUAL ART // ACTING // DIRECTING // FILMS