Wellcome Collection, London

London offices and by the early 1930s it has been estimated that he had five times as many artefacts as the Louvre.

In 1932, just four years before he died, the Wellcome Building in Euston Road, London was built to Wellcome's specifications. His dream of establishing in it a 'Museum of Man' was never fully realised in his lifetime, and when he died in 1936 a vast amount of his collection was left in its original packaging. Today, more than 70 years later, the Wellcome Building has been made home again to that dream, but in a more contemporary and inclusive incarnation.

The Wellcome Collection is a hybrid, multidisciplinary space: somewhere between a gallery, museum and live event space, which approaches science in a fresh and engaging way - directly tackling debates about contemporary issues, but also taking on board perspectives and thinking from a variety of viewpoints. The cultural and social implications of medicine, past and present, just as much as the scientific ideas on which it has been increasingly based, are explored through three galleries of arresting exhibits and artworks:

Medicine Man displays over 500 artefacts from Wellcome's original collection of one million objects in cabinets, drawers and cupboards which are reminiscent of a Victorian library or even a Renaissance curiosity cabinet. At its centre is a huge backlit cabinet filled with scientific glassware alongside Wellcome's personal memorabilia. The gallery also features exhibits of great historical interest such as Darwin's walking stick, Napoleon's toothbrush, Nelson's razor and George Ill's hair.

Medicine Now catapults visitors from Henry Wellcome's world into the 21st century through a vividly designed gallery of red and clinical white. Artworks here are displayed in red cubes, which relate to key themes of body imaging, malaria, obesity and genomes. The arrangement separates the artistic from the scientific exhibits, which are displayed within theatrically oversized shelves – juxtaposed in a way that encourages art, science and contemporary life to be mutually illuminating.

Three or four major exhibitions a year are to be staged in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. The current exhibition Sleeping and Dreaming, forms part of an innovative collaboration with the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum that will span two large-scale exhibitions to be shown at both institutions. Already shown in Dresden, Sleeping and Dreaming is designed by Nikolaus Hirsch as a dark and dramatically lit space with exhibits ranging from works by Goya, Catherine Yass and Laura Ford, to an interview with a sleep-deprivation victim and a vehicle designed to provide homeless people with a mobile place to sleep. Sleeping and Dreaming is on until 9th March 2008.

Some of your comments:

The Wellcome Trust has supported other medical museums and held exhibitions elsewhere, it is great that they have now at last created their own galleries. The collection of Sir Henry Wellcome is astonishing and wide-ranging and this combined with new material and art commissions make a challenging and rewarding visit. There are beautiful items, horrible objects and items hard to understand. They encourage us to look outside our own small experience and wonder at other cultures and think about big health issues.
Stella Mason, Tenbury Wells

A brilliant and engaging museum. The approach to the Heart exhibition was refreshing, and the permanent display is fascinating.
Julia How, Sheffield

The Collection enables science to mesh with art. For too long arts and science were treated as separate disciplines. The art/design and construction of the double helix, the art/science of love, sleep and dreams, enable the lay person to enter and share a world where both take top place and one where a non judgmental approach is encouraged. This collection is accessible in many ways through interactive approaches and diverse media such as the lark/owl quiz, and one on jet lag. The exhibitions appeal to young and old alike in an environment which embraces curiosity and one which is never short of the occasional surprise.
Jacqueline Rees, London

Fantastic exhibition beautifully presented. Intelligent and considered curation with something for everyone. It’s like Pitt Rivers meets the Met in New York. World class!  A day was not long enough. I need to go back again soon and tell everyone else to go.
A Cockayne, Bath

Excellent new museum with very well presented permanent collection as well as changing exhibitions. Super cafe and bookshop in lovely light and airy surroundings. Good public transport nearby.
Stella Wood, Chessington

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