Anatomy acts

An exhibition which explores the human body, inside and out, is currently running at the University of St Andrews.

‘Anatomy Acts’, a touring exhibition of hidden Scottish treasures, will run at the University’s Gateway Galleries until early 2007. The exhibition comes to St Andrews fresh from a successful run in Edinburgh.

The exhibition in St Andrews showcases the University’s own selection of rare and fascinating anatomical exhibits and is a visual feast fusing art, science, history and medicine. Star objects include two intricately detailed wax models of the human skull and the inner ear, made 100 years ago by Tramond of Paris. Designed specifically for the teaching of anatomy, the models are still used in classes at the Bute Medical School today.

From the Library’s Rare Books Collection there are 19th century engravings of the cardiac nerves by Antonio Scarpa, and one of the very first anatomical works to be based on accurate dissection, ‘On the Fabric of the Human Body’ by Versalius (1543).

Also on display are objects from anatomy collections across Scotland, including a life-sized plaster model of the developing foetus, used by William Hunter in his midwifery lectures.

Anatomy Acts runs at the Gateway Galleries, Gateway Centre, St Andrews, 27 October 2006 – 13 January 2007 and is open seven days a week, 9am – 5.30pm (10am – 5pm weekends). It is accompanied by a varied programme of educational events*. For more information, please contact Alison Hadfield, Learning & Access Curator, Telephone 462396 / 2417 or email [email protected]

ENDS

NOTES

Anatomy Acts forms part of the Scotland & Medicine: Collections & Connections Partnership. The partnership is supported through the Regional Development Challenge Fund, funded by the Scottish Executive and administered by the Scottish Museums Council. The fund aims to encourage collaboration between museums of all types and other related agencies at regional level. An online exhibition is available at: www.anatomyacts.co.uk

For further information contact: Siobhan McConnachie on 0131 527 1633 or [email protected]

*Anatomy Acts – Educational events at St Andrews

FREE: Gallery Tours and Lunchtime Talks All welcome. Please meet at the main reception desk in the Gateway Building.

29 November, 3.00pm Curating ‘Anatomy Acts’ – An Introduction to the Exhibition and Publication Dawn Kemp, Co-curator of Anatomy Acts (Director of Heritage, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh)

6 December, 1.15pm Stereoscopes and Vision – How & Why We See the World in 3D Prof. Julie Harris, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews

7 December, 1.15pm Seeing with Sound Tom Brown, the inventor of direct contact ultrasound scanning talks about how ultrasound technology has revolutionized obstetric practice and spread into other areas of medicine.

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – PLEASE CONTACT ALLISON IRVINE ON 01334 462529, [email protected]

Issued by Beattie Media – www.beattiegroup.com on behalf of the University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email gec3@st- andrews.ac.uk

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