Art and Archive Exhibition
CARE: from periphery to centre
Combining commissioned, site specific art and material from the College Archive, this exhibition could be seen in Homerton College between 15 and 28 October.
Between Monday, 15 and Sunday, 28 October, Homerton College presented an exhibition of new art based around material from the College archive. The exhibition and site-specific installation were developed by renowned artist Elena Cologni in response to the history of Homerton College, through research in the archives, and in consultation with the 250 Archive Working Group. This group includes Archivist Svetlana Paterson, historian of science Dr Melanie Keene, and educationalist and social historian Dr Peter Cunningham.
The project highlighted Maud Cloudesley Brereton (formerly Maud Horobin, lecturer and Acting Principal, 1903), and Leah Manning (student 1906-08) as figures of international importance representing Homerton’s historic concern with and contributions to health, well-being, and education. A display of relevant items gives a snapshot of early 20th-century life in the College, while focusing on practices of care in society and in students’ learning, through subjects such as domestic studies, medicine, health, and physical education. These themes underpin the artist’s sculptural installation designed in response to the 1914 Ibberson Gymnasium (now the Combination Room), and echoed in the Queen’s Wing glass corridor and lawn.
During the exhibition the public was be able to attend the following accompanying events as part of Homerton 250 and the Cambridge Festival of Ideas:
Monday, 15 October: Tour and public opening of the installation, with artist Elena Cologni.
Wednesday, 17 October, 5.30-7.30PM: Workshop with artist Elena Cologni – CARE: Connecting Experiences
Friday, 19 October: Talk and workshop at Gibberd Art Gallery, Harlow, with artist Elena Cologni.
Sunday, 21 October, 2.00-5.30PM: Symposium – CARE: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
This event featured two panels on CARE in the early 20th century and CARE today. The first welcomed Peter Cunningham (Homerton College), Francesca Moore (Homerotn College), and Jessica Meyer (Leeds), and was chaired by Melanie Keene (Homerton College). The second was chaired by Philip Stephenson (Homerton College), and featured Elena Cologni, Gabi Scardi (Università Cattolica di Milano), and Peggy Watson (Homerton College).
Saturday, 27 October: Homerton 250 Festival, including a tour of the installation with artist Elena Cologni, and an opportunity to meet Archivist Svetlana Paterson.
We have been grateful for the support of the Moleskine Foundation with this project. One of Elena’s sketchbooks has been donated to the Moleskine Foundation Collection in support of their mission.
