LondonTown.com: London gallery prepares to explore sex, penguins and much more

Wellcome Collection unveils an idiosyncratic autumn events programme for 2014

LONDON, September 17, 2014, The Wellcome Collection, one of London’s most stimulating and unusual venues is preparing to reopen after a lengthy closure for redevelopment and has revealed details of its event-packed autumn programme featuring a busy calendar of exhibitions and one-offs. The Wellcome Collection is located on the Euston Road close to Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations and features items covering art, science and history from an idiosyncratic personal collection accrued by a pharmacology billionaire on his travels almost 100 years ago. The venue is being extensively refurbished but several areas are open, including some gallery space, a café and bookshop. For more about the Wellcome Collection, see LondonTown.com, where you will also find the best information about London events and exhibitions, as well as London hotels, shops and restaurants.

The Wellcome’s programme includes An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition, a free exhibition that runs until 12th October featuring a curious combination of objects, medical artefacts, paintings, photographs, sculptures, and contemporary artworks. Running until July 2015 is the free video installation, Eye Contact, which forms two giant pairs of eyes that stare out from the windows of the Wellcome Trust’s headquarters, winking and blinking at passing tourists and traffic. The eyes will be ‘awake’ and active through the day and will close at sunset to ‘sleep’ through the night – unless they are woken by a passing pedestrian.

The Wellcome will also be running the Age Of Exploration event series, which looks at the history of exploration and the nature of human curiosity. Events include a talk called Into The Unknown on Thursday 11th September (7-8.30pm), that looks at the human desire to question the unknown and the impact this has on our minds and bodies, and The Worst Journey on Thursday 9th October (7-8.30pm), which looks at the formation of Henry Wellcome’s vast hoard of medical curios and features a specially commissioned musical performance that looks at how how Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the youngest member of Captain Scott’s fateful expedition, risked life and limb to collect emperor penguin eggs in the Antarctic winter.

Coming later this year is a new exhibition, The Institute Of Sexology – from 20th November 2014 to 13th September 2015 – which will be a candid exploration of sexuality, featuring more than 200 objects spanning art, archival material, erotica, film and photography. It will be the first ever UK exhibition to look at the work of the pioneers of the study of sex.

END

About LondonTown.com
LondonTown.com is the number one Internet site for London. With over 18 years of experience assisting visitors to the capital, they pride themselves on their customer service and editorial independence – no banner advertising or paid for content is allowed. The LondonTown.com team assist in finding cheap London hotels, sightseeing tours, ticket information and events. Trusted and with a loyal following, LondonTown.com is a very reliable source of recommendations and advice on what to do in London.http://www.LondonTown.com

LondonTown.com: Spectacular London home opens doors this Bank Holiday

Dance in the Duke of Wellington’s ballroom and see a nude Napoleon at Apsley House

 

LONDON, September 17, 2014, Fans of London’s colourful history will going to get an extraordinary opportunity to recreate Regency London at one of the capital’s great historic houses this August Bank Holiday. A special Regency Weekend is being held on Sunday 24th August and Monday 25th August at Apsley House, the former home of the Duke of Wellington, featuring dancing and tours of this historic building. Apsley House is located at Hyde Park Corner, right at the heart of London. Visitors to the city should see LondonTown.com for the best information about restaurants in London, cheap hotel rooms and the best bars and places to shop, as well news about events and exhibitions at other top London attractions.

Apsley House – its alternative address is No 1, London – was home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, and it retains many of the features and characteristics of those days. The Regency Weekend will allow visitors to view a remarkable interior as well as o ne of the finest art collections in London. Apsley House has paintings by Velazquez and Rubens, a massive nude statue of Napoleon, a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain, the oldest surviving grand piano and, of course, an original pair of Wellington boots.

The weekend is being held of next year’s celebrations that will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. It will allow visitors to look back at the home life of the powerful men of Wellington’s army and see their wives dressed in all their finery. Families can meet the Napoleonic gentry, learn how to dress as a regency gentleman, discover more about their style and taste and witness the life of ladies during this period. There will also be opportunities throughout the day to learn how to dance Jane Austen-style in the grand ballroom of this spectacular building. For more information, see LondonTown.com

About LondonTown.com
LondonTown.com is the number one Internet site for London. With over 18 years of experience assisting visitors to the capital, they pride themselves on their customer service and editorial independence – no banner advertising or paid for content is allowed. The LondonTown.com team assist in finding cheap London hotels, sightseeing tours, ticket information and events. Trusted and with a loyal following, LondonTown.com is a very reliable source of recommendations and advice on what to do in London.http://www.LondonTown.com