Wellcome: Sleeping and Dreaming
Goya, Catherine Yass, Jane Clifford and Laura Ford at New Exhibition
We spend one third of our lives asleep. The exhibition examines sleeping and dreaming through artefacts from science, psychology, history, sociology, literature and art.
London's Wellcome Collection, in conjunction with the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Dresden, presents their second temporary exhibition entitled Sleeping and Dreaming.
To Sleep or Not to Sleep?
The exhibition explores specific angles in our quest for a restful night. For example, is life without sleep a possibility? In the late 1950s an American DJ claimed the world record by staying awake for eight days. Towards the end of the experiment Peter Tripp, who was broadcasting throughout the eight days, was having hallucinations and becoming increasingly confused. In 1964 Tripp's record was broken by fellow American Randy Gardner. Gardner, helped by friends, deprived himself of sleep for 11 days.
The exhibition explores how the massive increase in the use of artificial lighting is affecting our sleep patterns and how some of us are so desperate to get a good night's sleep that we resort to sleeping pills while others use stimulants to stay awake. The Japanese practice of inemuri: sleeping in situ regardless of the occasion is also examined. Another theme explored by the exhibition is the designation of a specific space in which to sleep. The bedroom is a fairly new innovation only becoming common in the West in the mid-20th century.
Sleep for the Homeless
How do the homeless sleep and dream? Krzysztof Wodiczko’s Homeless Vehicle, a mobile sleeping tube, is by no means a solution to the housing problem but does provide privacy and possibly rest to some of New York's homeless. Visitors can also see a fascinating collection of alarm clocks and traditional lullabies from around the world and get advice on how to avoid jet lag.
Where Do Our Dreams Come From? What Do They Mean?
The exhibition explores our dreaming and waking states through numerous artists including Goya, Jane Gifford and Laura Ford, the writing of Sigmund Freud and Aristotle’s treatise On Sleep and Sleeplessness. Paul McCartney describes how the tune Yesterday, a Beatles' hit, came to him in a dream. Likewise, scientist Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz and musician Giuseppe Tartini both claim that great discoveries came to them in their dreams. In the 1920s Hans Berger used his revolutionary electroencephalogram (EEG) machine to prove that the brain is constantly alert even when we are asleep.
Public Events
The Wellcome is planning a number of public events that will allow visitors to examine the cultural and scientific aspects of sleeping and dreaming. Events will include a film festival of relevant films. Catherine Yass will talk about her ideas and work, for example Sleep (Eye) where she attempts to photograph a dream. The presentation will include the premiere of her film where she recounts her dreams the moment she wakes. A two-day symposium entitled Sleep Talk will explore insomnia through science, psychology, history, sociology, literature and art.
Sleeping and Dreaming will run until 10th March 2008 at the Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE. Entry is free and details of all events can be found at the Wellcome Collection or telephone +44 (0) 20 7611 2222.
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