14th January – 12th March 2006
2nd Floor - Galleries 1, 2 and 3
American artist Mark Dion poses fascinating questions about
the way we view nature and the scientific methods used to represent the
natural world. The exhibition galleries are transformed into an
extraordinary cabinet of curiosities including a large scale three
dimensional tableau of a beached aquatic animal, a decorative tank of
live piranhas and a disarmingly convincing giant mole.
Mark Dion: Microcosmographia is the only northern showing of a major new exhibition by Mark Dion, one of the most influential artists working today. It is the first solo show by the contemporary American artist in the UK since 1997 and this is the final British showing of this touring exhibition.
2nd Floor - Galleries 1, 2 and 3
Les Necrophores - L'Enterrement, 1998
Mark Dion: Microcosmographia is the only northern showing of a major new exhibition by Mark Dion, one of the most influential artists working today. It is the first solo show by the contemporary American artist in the UK since 1997 and this is the final British showing of this touring exhibition.
The
exhibition brings together huge creatures and fantastic visions
from some of Dion’s key works. For more than twenty years Dion has
centred his work on representations of the natural world referencing
science, museums, zoos and art and critically exploring the
relationship between culture and the natural world. His work combines
both real and invented elements, and invariably includes both humorous
and critical looks at our world. 
Mark Dion, Ruin, 1999
One of the highlights of the exhibition is called Alexander von Humbolt
(Amazon Memorial) and consists of a decorative tank of live piranhas
commemorating the man that Charles Darwin described as ‘the greatest
scientific traveller who ever lived.’ A founder of modern geography,
Von Humboldt explored a huge part of South America charting its
landscape and recording many species of plants and animals for the
first time. The work of another ‘gentleman scientist’, Jean Henri
Fabre, provides the inspiration for Les Necrophores – L’Enterrement – a giant mole suspended from the ceiling of the gallery.
The Harris will also be displaying the results of work with Ashton Community Science College which worked with a local artist on a creative research project responding to this exhibition.
The Harris will also be displaying the results of work with Ashton Community Science College which worked with a local artist on a creative research project responding to this exhibition.
Secret Garden Biological Field Unit
In addition to the gallery exhibition the Harris will be showing the Secret Garden Biological Field Unit on the steps at the front of the museum. This idiosyncratic laboratory was established by Dion as a research project. A team of volunteers collected, documented and catalogued plant and insects specimens from the South London Gallery’s garden. Visitors will be able to access the Unit on:
Tuesdays 2.00-3.00pm
Thursdays 1.00-2.00pm
Saturdays 1.00-2.00pm
Informal Events for Children (free)
Saturday 4th February, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Saturday 18th February, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Saturday 4th March, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Sunday Art Days (free)
Free drop-in workshops for families.
Join us anytime between 11.00am-3.00pm in the galleries on the 2nd floor.
Sunday 15th January
Sunday 4th February
Sunday 12th February
Half term Workshops
Sessions run 10.30am-12.30pm, and 1.30pm-3.30pm each day.
Booking essential; telephone the Museum Shop on 01772 905414
Tuesday 21st February - It's a Bug's Life (50p)
Friday 24th February - Fun Writing Workshop (50p)
Schools, Colleges and Groups
Schools, colleges and groups are welcome. Contact the Education Officer on 01772 905405 for details.
Mark Dion: Microcosmographia has been organised by the South London Gallery with the support of Bloomberg, The Gulbenkian Fondation, The Henry Moore Foundation, Arts Council England.
The exhibition is being supported by The Holiday Inn, Preston.
In addition to the gallery exhibition the Harris will be showing the Secret Garden Biological Field Unit on the steps at the front of the museum. This idiosyncratic laboratory was established by Dion as a research project. A team of volunteers collected, documented and catalogued plant and insects specimens from the South London Gallery’s garden. Visitors will be able to access the Unit on:
Tuesdays 2.00-3.00pm
Thursdays 1.00-2.00pm
Saturdays 1.00-2.00pm
Informal Events for Children (free)
Saturday 4th February, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Saturday 18th February, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Saturday 4th March, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Sunday Art Days (free)
Free drop-in workshops for families.
Join us anytime between 11.00am-3.00pm in the galleries on the 2nd floor.
Sunday 15th January
Sunday 4th February
Sunday 12th February
Half term Workshops
Sessions run 10.30am-12.30pm, and 1.30pm-3.30pm each day.
Booking essential; telephone the Museum Shop on 01772 905414
Tuesday 21st February - It's a Bug's Life (50p)
Friday 24th February - Fun Writing Workshop (50p)
Schools, Colleges and Groups
Schools, colleges and groups are welcome. Contact the Education Officer on 01772 905405 for details.
Mark Dion: Microcosmographia has been organised by the South London Gallery with the support of Bloomberg, The Gulbenkian Fondation, The Henry Moore Foundation, Arts Council England.
The exhibition is being supported by The Holiday Inn, Preston.
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