This Inspires Me...exhibition at River and Rowing Museum
23 September 2008
A Victorian body drag used to find dead bodies in the Thames, a 250,000-year-old axe and some fossilised dinosaur poo! Just a few of the unusual things that will be displayed in This Inspires Me… 26 September 2008 – 4 January 2009 at the River and Rowing Museum. This new exhibition will show you the weird and wonderful collection the museum has built up over the last 10 years, including things chosen by celebrities such as David Suchet.
This Inspires Me… will present a diverse collection of objects and will provide an intriguing exploration into what objects mean to us and why. The display will include objects chosen by high profile local residents including the body drag nominated by actor David Suchet.
This Inspires Me… celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the River & Rowing Museum and opens as part of the launch weekend for the Cultural Olympiad for the 2012 Games, Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September. The Cultural Olympiad is a four-year programme that will highlight the country’s diversity by using both culture and sport to create works and events that will bring people and places together, encourage audiences to take part, involve and inspire young people, welcome the world to the 2012 Games and create a lasting legacy. Hundreds of events will be taking place across the country.
Commenting on his chosen object, a Thames Conservancy body drag, used to search for human remains, David Suchet said: “Usually I am drawn to the beauty of the River Thames, but this gruesome object made a startling impression and reminded me of the darker and more dangerous side of the waterway. Who knows how many poor souls this dragged out, having died by accident, misadventure or even foul deed?”
Paul Mainds, Trustee and Chief Executive, River & Rowing Museum said: “This Inspires Me is a fantastic opportunity for people to really explore their personal connection with objects and come to an understanding of just why it is that museums collect these objects and put them on display. Being part of the Cultural Olympiad launch weekend activities is a great chance for the Museum to demonstrate its early commitment to the Cultural Olympiad, a programme in which we look forward to playing a key role over the next four years and beyond.”
For full exhibition and event information please visit www.rrm.co.uk