Closet for the Curious: Old College's Uneven Evolutions
From 15 to 17 August, open daily
Admission
Closet for the Curious is a project by students on the MScR Collections and Curating Practices programme. Reflecting upon the history of the spaces occupied by Talbot Rice Gallery, they have assembled a range of interesting and critical stories related to the foundation and development of Old College, and specifically the Georgian Gallery, which was formerly the University’s Natural History Museum.
Their tales include the arrival of various animals and specimens, the remarkable contributions of Guyanan-born taxidermist John Edmonstone and the struggles of the Edinburgh Seven, the first female undergraduates matriculated in Britain who campaigned to open the door for future generations of women in higher education.
From the funds used to build these spaces, to the powerful global networks required to build the collections they would house, this is a story of colonialism, struggle and transformation – what the students term, “uneven evolutions.” Shown at the end of the Georgian Gallery, their vibrant visual display allows links to be made with contemporary art and recent exhibitions. Accompanied by a series of tours that will bring different specialist voices to these subjects and a self-directed tour our architectural environment, this project aims to enliven history and generate new conversations.
