Horniman Museum - temporary exhibitions
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
AS ALWAYS, the Horniman Museum has a number of temporary exhibitions on display in the coming months.
La Bouche du Roi – in the Tempoary Exhibitions Gallery until Sunday, March 1, 2009.
A profound and thought-provoking artistic statement by Beninese artist Romuald Hazoumé, it’s made from a combination of materials, including petrol cans, spices, and audio and visual elements. The artwork’s arrangement recalls the famous 18th-century print of the slave ship, the Brookes, which was used to great effect by Abolitionists.
Admission: Free.
India Recycled – in the Balcony Gallery until Sunday, January 25, 2009.
This fascinating photographic exhibition follows the journey of clothes donated to UK charity shops as they are recycled and re-sold in the bustling markets of northern India, as well as the contrasting flow of Indian sari and textiles recycled as Western fashion items.
Admission: Free.
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Wycinanki: The Art of Polish Paper Cutting – in the Balcony Gallery from February 14 to September 27, 2009.
Wycinanki, the traditional Polish folk art of cutting paper, was used by Polish peasants to decorate their cottages and often depicted scenes from daily life, such as weddings or holidays. This beautiful art form is still popular and widely practiced in two regions of Poland, Kurpie and Łowicz.
Admission: Free.
Darwin at Down – in the Gallery Square from Saturday, February 7 to Sunday, June 7, 2009.
An exhibition of photographs of Darwin and his family at their home in Bromley, where he was inspired to write his revolutionary theory.
Admission: Free.
China – Symbols in Silk – in the Balcony Gallery until Sunday, September 6, 2009.
This beautiful exhibition features historic textiles including silk objects, from embroidered robes to exquisite shoes, as well as altar pieces and a figure of the seated Buddha Sakyamuni.
Admission: Free.
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Robot Zoo – in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery from Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, November 8, 2009.
Enter this amazing world of robotic creatures and discover mind-boggling facts about animals that share our world. These animal robots and hands-on interactives show fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colour, a giant squid jets around or how a fly walks on the ceiling. Learn about how powerful springs launch a grasshopper into the air and how a bat locates prey in the dark using special equipment.
Models show the animals’ insides as a host of familiar machine parts and gadgets, such as shock absorbers and pumps, which demonstrate mechanisms that make animals work. Robot Zoo is coming to the UK for the first time and will provide fantastic hands-on fun for the whole family.
Admission: adults – £5; concessions – £3; children – £2.50 (under 3s go free); family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) – £13; schools – £2 per person (pre-booked), £2.50 per person (not pre-booked); family season ticket – £26.
For more information about the Horniman Museum call 020 8699 1872 or visit the website.
Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ.