Sex and History
17 April 2009
Exeter has devised an exhibition and programme of activities called Sex and History and is already working with other South West museum partners, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Trust. Sex and History will use museum objects as a starting point for young people to think about the diversity of human sexuality.
Young participants will work with historians, artists and healthcare professionals to explore the meaning and social importance of artefacts from the Wellcome Collection, collected by pharmaceutical giant Sir Henry Wellcome from all over the world. These range from 16th century chastity belts to Japanese pillow books.
The culmination of the project will be a major national exhibition at RAMM in 2012 as part of its reopening programme. Other displays, workshops and programmes will be developed with young people and held in venues popular with them over the next three years.
"I am delighted that Exeter will be leading the South West Museum's contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. With our partners across the region, we will apply the Olympic ideals to the creative process producing exhibitions and displays worthy of the Olympic logo." said Cllr Kevin Mitchell, Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the University of Exeter to work with young people throughout the South West to produce artwork and exhibitions and engage in debate. Our aim is to generate a sense of excitement about the relevance of the past and of objects in museums to our lives today," said Dr Rebecca Langlands, Department of Classics and Centre for Medical History, University of Exeter.
Camilla Morgan, 21 of Exeter, has been involved with the project since its inception. She believes that getting young people's perspectives on collections brings a fresh approach to history. "I think we can bring an 'un-academic' view, more of an impulsive reaction to objects. It's easy to have preconceptions about museums but the stuff you can learn there can be really interesting - it's up to us to get the message across."
The Cultural Olympiad
The four-year Cultural Olympiad started in September 2008. It celebrates cultures, people and languages - in London, the UK and around the world during the build up to the 2012 London Games. It divides into three sections:
1. Ceremonies - extraordinary live spectacles watched on television by one in three people around the world.
2. Major projects - A number of major cultural projects featured in the London 2012 bid, forming the backbone of the Cultural Olympiad.
3. Inspire mark projects - local and regional events featuring in our UK-wide celebration.
The core partnership for the South West's contribution Sex & History is made up of:
1. The University of Exeter's Centre for Medical History
2. The South West Museums Hub comprising of RAMM; Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives; the Royal Cornwall museum; Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery; and Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.
3. The Science Museum, London
