Anatomical Obscura Day Events, 2011

As many of you already know, my upcoming exhibition--The Great Coney Island Spectacularium--will be launching with an Obscura Day event on Saturday April 9th (more on that here.) If you are not in New York for Obscura Day, or are in the mood for more anatomical fare, I have just been alerted to a bunch of anatomical-themed events that might be up your alley. All events take place on Saturday, April 9th.

Details follow:

• At the Dittrick Museum where Jim, the Dittrick's Chief Curator, will present a selection of amazing and rare anatomy atlases and surgical works, and Jenny, the Registrar and Archivist, will share a sampling of strange and wonderful objects from the Dittrick artifact collections, with special emphasis upon the history of contraception, a premier collection at the Dittrick. (http://obscuraday-dittrick.eventbrite.com/)
  
  
• At the International Museum of Surgical Science, in Chicago the Museum’s curator will present 3D stereoscopic photos, chromolithographs, and a magic lantern show depicting skin diseases in gorgeous, gruesome detail. Visitors can take a look at what lies beneath the surface of the skin in a special exhibition of actual human bodies. (http://obscuraday-imss.eventbrite.com/)
  
  
• In Florence, Itlay take an expert tour of La Specola Anatomical Collection. Art and social-historian Sheila Barker, who researches science and medicine in Renaissance Florence, will lead the visit of some of the most spectacular and beautiful anatomical artwork in the world. (http://obscuraday-laspecola.eventbrite.com/)
  
  
• In Sydney, Australia go to the Museum of Human Disease, where on Obscura Day you can ask questions of academics and researchers from the University, and participate in discussions and workshops and hear the stories of patients, medical professionals, and loved ones of those with disease." (http://obscuraday-museumhumandisease.eventbrite.com/)

To find out more about these events, and to purchase tickets, click the link following each description.

Image: "Anatomical Venus" Wax wodel with human hair and pearls in rosewood and Venetian glass case, "La Specola" (Museo di Storia Naturale), Florence, Italy " Probably modeled by Clemente Susini (around 1790); From The Secret Museum exhibition.