Conceiving Histories

Isabel Davis Announcement
Location
United Kingdom
Subject Fields
Women's & Gender History / Studies, Public Health, Humanities, History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, Art, Art History & Visual Studies

Whether hoping for or fearing pregnancy, the wait to find out can be difficult. What was it like for people in the past, before home pregnancy testing was available? What hopes, fears, dreams and fantasies attended the wait historically? Explore the history of pre- and early pregnancy with artist Anna Burel, and literary historian, Isabel Davis. Conceiving Histories is a new dialogue between disciplines which discovers some of the creative possibilities of archival materials detailing the ambiguities of the un- or just-pregnant body. At this Being Human Festival event, we will explore two extraordinary case studies through short historical talks and contemporary artwork: a strange eighteenth-century fashion for simulating pregnancy and a dark nineteenth-century fantasy of an experiment which would solve the mysteries of conception.

This event will include contemporary artwork, short talks and a wine reception.

This event is free but you need to use the URL below to book a free place.

Contact Information

Isabel Davis, Birkbeck, University of London.

Contact Email
i.davis@bbk.ac.uk