The Darwin exhibition at the Natural History Museum

Undesired Walrus · 18th February 2009, 09:46 AM

I took myself and a few friends to the Natural History Museum on Sunday, to have a look around and visit the Darwin exhibition. It seems like half of London had the same idea, and I was somewhat worried that a scientific stampede would form and send the Diplodocus in the main hall crashing to the floor. Thankfully, I managed to make it up to the back of the hall unscathed, and had a look at the Darwin statue. I thought lighting a candle and kneeling down infront of him would be a bit over the top, so I mearly had a peek. Much to my joy, people had placed 'Happy Birthday' cards around his feet.

It's still a thrill to find that the NHM isn't all that different from the NHM of my childhood, still containing all the old, terribly 80's exhibits complete with the Open Univeristy style information voiceovers. I was, however, a bit upset to notice that Pluto was still seen as a planet.

I can't say the Darwin exhibit will tell Scientifically educated people much that they didn't know, but I felt like I learned a lot. I also got a look at the various skulls of our ancestors, and stood there for a long time trying to soak up the various revelations Darwinism brings. I wanted to see shades of Humanity (an arrogant race infested with unjustifed hubris) in these other animals. However, people wanted to look at what I was staring at, so my philosophical ponderings fell victim to London's fully functioning transport system.

Has anyone been to the NHM, or their local Darwin-inspired exhibitions? Highly recommended.

Kotatsu · 18th February 2009, 01:26 PM

Well, I was at the museum every day for the last three weeks, and looked at the other exhibitions twice, but never had time for the special Darwin thing. I got the tea cup with his tree, though^^. Hopefully I'll be able to go back later this spring, and see it then.

The best part of the NHM, to me, are the brachiating monkeys hanging in the ceiling above the left-hand gallery, second floor. It's a REALLY good exhibit, but it took me two and a half week of walking underneath them at least four times a day before I actually saw them...

dudalb · 18th February 2009, 01:52 PM

The NHM building is one of my favorites in London. Victorian excess at it's best. The various dinosaur Gargolyles are classic.
With the V and A, just across the street (my wife is a costumer, and the fabrics section of the V and A is her idea of heaven) with Hyde Park not far away, Albertropolis is a place my wife and I spend a couple of days in whenever possible when in the UK.

Tanja · 18th February 2009, 01:58 PM

The NHM is my favourite museum in London, and I consider it one of the most beatiful buildings ever built. I am a member of the museum - for about £70 per year for a joint membership, my husband and I get free entry to all the special exhibitions, a dozen spare tickets to invite friends, invites to talks, exhibition previews etc. In my opinion, there is no better way to spend £70.

I've seen the Darwin exhibition already twice, and I will take my father to see it in a months' time, so that will be three times

dudalb · 18th February 2009, 02:17 PM

I still prefer the Imperial War Museum and The National Art Gallery , but the NHM is right up there.
London has no shortage of great museums.

18th February 2009, 09:46 AM	#1
Undesired Walrus Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London Posts: 10,882	The Darwin exhibition at the Natural History Museum I took myself and a few friends to the Natural History Museum on Sunday, to have a look around and visit the Darwin exhibition. It seems like half of London had the same idea, and I was somewhat worried that a scientific stampede would form and send the Diplodocus in the main hall crashing to the floor. Thankfully, I managed to make it up to the back of the hall unscathed, and had a look at the Darwin statue. I thought lighting a candle and kneeling down infront of him would be a bit over the top, so I mearly had a peek. Much to my joy, people had placed 'Happy Birthday' cards around his feet. It's still a thrill to find that the NHM isn't all that different from the NHM of my childhood, still containing all the old, terribly 80's exhibits complete with the Open Univeristy style information voiceovers. I was, however, a bit upset to notice that Pluto was still seen as a planet. I can't say the Darwin exhibit will tell Scientifically educated people much that they didn't know, but I felt like I learned a lot. I also got a look at the various skulls of our ancestors, and stood there for a long time trying to soak up the various revelations Darwinism brings. I wanted to see shades of Humanity (an arrogant race infested with unjustifed hubris) in these other animals. However, people wanted to look at what I was staring at, so my philosophical ponderings fell victim to London's fully functioning transport system. Has anyone been to the NHM, or their local Darwin-inspired exhibitions? Highly recommended.
	__________________ Man's material discoveries have outpaced his moral progress. - Clement Attlee, 1945

18th February 2009, 01:26 PM	#2
Kotatsu Phthirapterist Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Good Anvil Posts: 2,154	Well, I was at the museum every day for the last three weeks, and looked at the other exhibitions twice, but never had time for the special Darwin thing. I got the tea cup with his tree, though^^. Hopefully I'll be able to go back later this spring, and see it then. The best part of the NHM, to me, are the brachiating monkeys hanging in the ceiling above the left-hand gallery, second floor. It's a REALLY good exhibit, but it took me two and a half week of walking underneath them at least four times a day before I actually saw them...
	__________________ "It is not supposed to be funny or annoying or insightful, because it is neither; nor to convey or express any emotion or wit, because it doesn't; nor to be any kind of art, because it isn't; but merely to be repetitive. It is repetition for the sake of repetition; mindless, relentless, remorseless and -- ultimately -- redundant." K. Krishnamurthi, "The Seven Forms of Repetition", 1972.

18th February 2009, 01:52 PM	#3
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,782	The NHM building is one of my favorites in London. Victorian excess at it's best. The various dinosaur Gargolyles are classic. With the V and A, just across the street (my wife is a costumer, and the fabrics section of the V and A is her idea of heaven) with Hyde Park not far away, Albertropolis is a place my wife and I spend a couple of days in whenever possible when in the UK.
	Last edited by dudalb; 18th February 2009 at 01:53 PM.

18th February 2009, 01:58 PM	#4
Tanja Comfortably Numb Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,001	The NHM is my favourite museum in London, and I consider it one of the most beatiful buildings ever built. I am a member of the museum - for about £70 per year for a joint membership, my husband and I get free entry to all the special exhibitions, a dozen spare tickets to invite friends, invites to talks, exhibition previews etc. In my opinion, there is no better way to spend £70. I've seen the Darwin exhibition already twice, and I will take my father to see it in a months' time, so that will be three times
Tanja Comfortably Numb Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,001

18th February 2009, 02:17 PM	#5
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,782	I still prefer the Imperial War Museum and The National Art Gallery , but the NHM is right up there. London has no shortage of great museums.