皇家华人

This project gave the British Postal Museum and Archive鈥檚 (BPMA) access to 3D digitisation and provided 皇家华人ith a test-bed for 3D imaging.Beginning in 1840 with the creation of the world鈥檚 first stamp, the Penny Black, the BPMA records the history of stamp production in the UK. It holds a large collection of dies, rollers, and printing plates. These objects provide an insight into the cycle of stamp production, but they have rarely been photographed and are unavailable for consultation by the public. This project aimed to combine a number of technologies in order to capture these items as 3D digital objects, which will ultimately provide the museum with a publicly accessible resource.For further information see the project blogProject LeadsMona Hess, Research Associate, UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic EngineeringMartin Devereux, Head of Digital, The British Postal Museum and Archive

When new regions are explored and the species in them are discovered, how does the wider world experience these animals? By examining the world of animal representations, Strange Creatures: the art of unknown animals explores how imagery has been used to bring newly discovered animals into the public eye. From the earliest days of exploration, visual depictions in artworks, books, the media and even toys have been essential in representing exotic creatures that are alien to people at home. [[{"fid":"7799","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Painting of a kangaroo by George Stubbs","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3EThe%20Kongouro%20from%20New%20Holland%20(Kangaroo)%2C%20George%20Stubbs%2C%201772%20(C)%20National%20Maritime%20Museum%2C%20Greenwich%2C%20London%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Painting of a kangaroo by George Stubbs","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3EThe%20Kongouro%20from%20New%20Holland%20(Kangaroo)%2C%20George%20Stubbs%2C%201772%20(C)%20National%20Maritime%20Museum%2C%20Greenwich%2C%20London%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"800","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]] Strange Creatures centres upon George Stubbs鈥� painting of a kangaroo, which was created following Captain Cook鈥檚 first Pacific 鈥淰oyage of Discovery鈥�. It is Europe鈥檚 first painting of an Australian animal and became the archetype for how people imagined this iconic species for decades. This painting was recently saved for the nation after it was initially sold to an overseas buyer. This resulted in a government export bar before Royal Museums Greenwich raised the funds to keep it in the UK.  Strange Creatures from many anglesPalaeontologists and historians of science, exploration and art from across University College London investigate the theme of animal representation from the perspective of their own disciplines to create a diverse exhibition among the Museum鈥檚 permanent displays. Strange Creatures represents a chance to see Stubbs鈥� artwork among other animal depictions from the time of their earliest European encounters.The story of how the first European encounter came to be is also explored - if Cook's ship hadn't wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef in 1770 the relationship between Europe and Australian wildlife could have been very different. One of Cook's own hand-written journals is put on display. The exhibition includes a number of animal artworks on display were created by people who had never seen these animals in the flesh 鈥� including a sixteenth century copy of D眉rer鈥檚 famous armoured rhinoceros, medieval accounts of exotic creatures, fake 鈥渄ragon鈥� specimens created from dried fish by sailors, contemporary knitted craft taxidermy and twenty-first century reconstructions of dinosaurs. Together they explore how unknown animals are communicated to the wider public. Events programme We invited adults and families to delve deeper into the themes of Strange Creatures with a programme of events that accompanied the exhibition. Strange Creatures After Hours[[{"fid":"7827","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"men in front of Stubbs' painting of a kangaroo ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"men in front of Stubbs' painting of a kangaroo ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"600","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]]The night owls amongst you can join the bats, aardvarks, hedgehogs and other nocturnal specimens to enjoy Strange Creatures After Hours. Animals have been presented in bizarre and the incredible ways, come take another look at the natural world with our film night, late opening, open mic night, talks and drawing sessions.  Animal ShowoffComedyFriday 20 March, 6.30-9.30pmThe team behind Science Showoff presents a very special discovery edition of their anarchic open mic night at the Grant Museum, Animal Showoff. Join us for an evening of demos, jokes, talks, music and more. ANYONE can perform ANYTHING, the only rule is it has to be about the animal kingdom.Skippy the Bush KangarooFilm ScreeningTuesday 24 March, 6.30-9pm鈥淲hat鈥檚 that Skip, the kids are trapped down the old mine-shaft?鈥� Our film night is heading down under as historian of Biology and film-buff Professor Joe Cain introduces his favourite episodes of  Australian TV series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.Draw it Like StubbsDrawingTuesdays 21 April, 12 May, 2 June, 6.30-9pmCould you recreate an animal from just the writings of drunken sailors that compared to other animals? That鈥檚 what George Stubbs did. Join us for a fun evening of light-hearted drawing of animals based on contemporary and historical descriptions.  Can you draw it like Stubbs did?Strange Creatures LateLate openingSaturday 16 May, 6.30-9.30pmAn evening of art, performance, games and live taxidermy will bring to life the Strange Creatures exhibition in this very special late opening. Great Grant Knit-a-ThonWorkshopTuesday 19 May, 10am-10pmInspired by Strange Creatures co-curator artist Ruth Marshall鈥檚 knitted skin of a Tasmanian tiger, we have set the knitters of London the challenge of knitting some of our strange creatures, IN JUST 12 HOURS! Bring your knitting needles to 鈥榮titch one purl one鈥� for an hour over lunch or alternatively come after work and be inspired to join in over a glass of wine while you view the exhibition. DINOSAURS! of Victorian London TalkTuesday 23 June, 6.30-9pmWhen the Crystal Palace dinosaur models were unveiled in 1854, they took the world by storm igniting the original Dinomania. These beastly models were the first anyone had ever seen of dinosaurs and unsurprisingly left a lasting impression.   Professor Joe Cain as he shares how these models, still on display today, were important in shaping the public鈥檚 perceptions of dinosaurs. Looking at Strange Creatures: A Travellers鈥� Tails seminar Saturday 13 June, 10am-3.30pm[[{"fid":"7807","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Painting of a snipe","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3ESnipe%20at%26nbsp%3BBollo%20Bridge%20Road%2C%20London%20W3.%20(C)%20ATM%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Painting of a snipe","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"%3Cp%3ESnipe%20at%26nbsp%3BBollo%20Bridge%20Road%2C%20London%20W3.%20(C)%20ATM%3C%2Fp%3E","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"600","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]]Take a closer look at some strange creatures with our seminar study day and find out more about how art has been used to communicate unknown animals to the world. Over the course of the day you鈥檒l hear from some of our exhibition co-curators, have a private viewing of Strange Creatures and get up close to some of our amazing specimens. Speakers include Professor Markman Ellis, Head of the School of English and Drama, Queen Mary University London, Sarah Wade, PhD Student and Dr. Bob Mills, Department of History of Art, UCL and ATM street artist. Download a full copy of the seminar programme. Show 'n' Tell[[{"fid":"7835","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"person looking at museum specimens","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"person looking at museum specimens","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"600","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]] We have invited the co-curators of the Strange Creatures exhibition to showcase an object from the Museum鈥檚 collection of 68,000 to share their Strange Creatures research.   DinosaursFriday 8 May, 1鈥�2pmDr. Andrew Cuff shares his cutting edge research reconstructing dinosaurs from just the fossils of these extinct giant reptiles.  Tastes just like鈥�Friday 22 May, 1鈥�2pmThe first encounters with the willdlife of the Virginia colonists in the 16th Century were on the plate, find out more about Misha Ewen鈥檚 research on the experiences of these first colonists.  Australian encountersFriday 5 June, 1鈥�2pmThe first European settlers of Australia encountered an unbelievable world, join Professor Margot Finn as she shares her research on their experiences. Iron and BoneFriday 12 June, 1鈥�2pmFind out more about PhD student Kelly Freeman鈥檚 research on the surprisingly beautiful art of the Victorian zoology museum.Family events[[{"fid":"7831","view_mode":"xl","fields":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"creating works of art with a family member ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"xl","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"creating works of art with a family member ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"600","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-xl"}}]]We have rifled through our drawers and searched through our cabinets to bring out some of our strangest creatures. Join us to take part in free, fun, hands-on, art and specimen-based activities.Creating Strange Creatures Saturdays 25 April, 23 May, 27 June, Drop-in 1鈥�4pmThe Museum has many amazing animals on display but some have to be seen to be believed. Come along and be inspired by the natural world to create your own animal artwork with a Museum artist inspired by George Stubbs鈥� painting of the kangarooKangaroos and co. Tuesday 26鈥� Saturday 30 May, Drop-in 1鈥�4.30pmBandicoots, quolls, wombats and devils: Australia is home to a world of remarkable animals. Join us to take part in our fun hands-on specimen-based activities as we celebrate the wonderful world of marsupials.People behind Strange CreaturesThe exhibition was curated by Jack Ashby (Grant Museum of Zoology, part of UCL Culture)Contributing researchers: Chiara Ambrosio, Joe Cain and Simon Werrett (UCL Science and Technology Studies)Andrew Cuff and Anjali Goswami (UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment)Bob Mills and Sarah Wade (UCL History of Art)Misha Ewen and Margot Finn (UCL History) Travellers' TailsThe exhibition is the first stage of a tour of the Stubbs painting which will see it travel to The Horniman Museum and Gardens; The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby; and the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow.It forms part of a collaboration between these three museums, the Grant Museum and the National Maritime Museums in a project called Travellers' Tails. The project aims to bring together artists, scientists, explorers and museum professionals to investigate the nature of exploration in the Enlightenment era, how the multitude of histories can be explored and experienced in a gallery, heritage and museum setting, and to question what exploration means today. Travellers' Tails is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund.[[{"fid":"7823","view_mode":"medium","fields":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Logos from RMG, HLF and Art Fund","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"medium","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Logos from RMG, HLF and Art Fund","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"200","width":"1088","class":"media-element file-medium"}}]]

Our aim is to broaden public awareness of current research by sharing our knowledge with museum audiences, making connections between our own areas of expertise and UCL collections.Coming from a diverse range of disciplines, our individual areas of interest are wide-ranging, and our day-to-day research activities cover a variety of methods from archive research, object-based work and historiography, to ethnography, scientific fieldwork and data analysis. As a group, we share a common desire to bring our research to new audiences, and to make what we do accessible to the wider public. Working as a cross-disciplinary team, we also seek to establish links between our own disciplinary fields and other, apparently unconnected research areas.We can be found at one of UCL鈥檚 three public museums. We aim to use these sites as spaces where we can actively engage with visitors to discuss our own research and any connections between our work and the museum collections.To find out more - email the Head of Learning & Access, Celine West.Read a blog by UCL's Student Engagers documenting their experiences of engaging with museum visitors and for sharing research reflections that explore the intersections of research, public engagement and museum collections. UCL Researchers in Museums blog

Check out the Student Engager blog to read about our research, questions from visitors, and how we use the museums to make our research accessible.We are a group of postgraduate research students developing innovative and experimental engagement strategies in UCL museums and collections. We aim to broaden public awareness of current research by sharing our knowledge with museum audiences, making connections between our own areas of expertise and UCL collections. We study a myriad of topics鈥攅verything from bones and brains to medieval manuscripts and the Dark Web. Whilst some of our academic interests may not seem to have obvious links to the museum collections, we have all found objects and themes in the museums which are relevant to our research.[[{"fid":"4743","view_mode":"small","fields":{"format":"small","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"student engagers","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"right","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"small","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"student engagers","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_caption[und][0][format]":"limited_html","field_float_left_right[und]":"right","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"231","width":"353","class":"media-element file-small"}}]]Coming from a diverse range of disciplines, our individual areas of interest are wide-ranging, and our day-to-day activities cover a variety of methods from archival research, object-based work and historiography, to ethnography, scientific fieldwork and data analysis. As a group, we share a common desire to bring our research to new audiences, and to make what we do accessible to the wider public. Through our conversations with museum visitors, we hope not only to engage others in our research and encourage visitors to think about the collections in novel and varied ways, but also to broaden our own research expertise by responding reflexively to public feedback. Open-ended discussions with visitors may stimulate ideas for new lines of research inquiry, and the questions we encounter will often spark off interesting ideas and challenge us to explore unexpected links. We hope to learn from you, just as you learn from us! 

SUBNATURE explores the use of fish bones and their imagery to evolve alternate visuals, looking at reproducing nature through sculpture and technology.The fantastical works by emerging artist Lan Lan (UCL Slade School of Fine Art), take the form of cosmic bodies through the manipulation of original fish bone sculptures, with some installations imagining a fictional future where energy plants rely on the phantom creatures.Set amongst the Museum鈥檚 historic collections of skeletons, skulls and specimens in jars, the exhibition establishes a dialogue between natural history and its contemporary interventions 鈥� intertwining a Victorian collection with 21st Century digital techniques.SUBNATURE begins with ALTED 鈥� Hydrozoa, a set of  photographs of sea bass bone sculptures (Mod Fish) digitally altered into fantasised creations that appear to be both cosmic forms and marine animals.Composing the figurative relationship between consumerist technology and sublime landscapes, The Lava Project @ Olympic Highway imagines a fictional solar energy plant that uses images of virtual creatures. Aftermath simulates a film set narrated as a spin-off from The Lava Project. It produces a panoramic view of a landscape in destruction by collaging macro-shots of partially melted polystyrene balls in nail polish. Hybrids, Us Don鈥檛 Matter and Mercury, Black explore the appropriation of materials from manufactured nature, while HoloStack X-Capture turns 3D scans of a bone sculpture into holographic skeletons. In .RAW thumbnail fragments of scans seek shelter at the Micrarium as they were decrypted by the scanning software which rewrites the anatomical structures in its own language. 

Creative writing and reading is a source of inspiration and a framework for many activities at 皇家华人 Art Museum.Each year, we host sessions of First Story which brings secondary school students in the museum to work with talented, professional writers to foster creativity and communication skills.The Art of Reading (2013) was a series of drop-in reading groups curated by UCL researchers who discussed aspects of their fascinating research in Art, Science and Humanities through reading, performance, drawing, talks and other activities.The event was part of Something Else for the Weekend: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/festival-of-the-arts/something-else-for-the-weekendWatch this space for upcoming creative writing and reading projects.