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"FRANKENSTEIN" COMING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH; EXHIBIT WILL EXAMINE FOLKLORE SURROUNDING SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AND CELEBRATE THE PROMISE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(BETHESDA, MD) -- On Thursday, October 30, 1997, the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) promises a frightfully good time as it celebrates the opening of a new exhibit, "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature." An exhibit preview and masquerade will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Library's Rotunda (first floor of the National Library of Medicine or Building 38, 8600 Rockville Pike, corner of Center Drive/Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD).
"This thought-provoking exhibit is both timely and timeless," explained NLM Director Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. "On Halloween eve, its theme is entirely appropriate, of course. But this exhibit explores some of the fundamental questions of all time," Dr. Lindberg explained. "Why has the public at times feared science? Have changes in communication technology made the public feel close to the center of decision-making regarding science policy? If so, has this allayed their fear of science?"
The exhibit will feature artifacts associated with resuscitating the nearly dead from the early nineteenth century, early efforts at blood transfusion, experiments conducted with "animal electricity," and other attempts to reanimate dead bodies. Other parts of the exhibition include posters and pacemakers, masks and monsters, comics and cartoons, books and brains, all illustrating the ways in which people have coped with their desires, hopes, and fears of medical science.
"Frankenstein, the tale of a young man of science who creates a monster by animating human flesh, represents an enduring myth that has gripped our imaginations for almost two hundred years," said Elizabeth Fee, Ph.D., Chief of NLM's History of Medicine Division. "This
exhibition provides a serious historical examination of the many meanings of the Frankenstein legend. It starts with Mary Shelley's rational but tragic creature who searches vainly for human companionship and explores the different meanings of the celluloid monster of 1930s Hollywood and its continuing echoes in popular culture. We also see this exhibition as an opportunity to recognize some of the social, ethical, and philosophical concerns raised by such scientific endeavors as cloning, xenografting, the Human Genome Project, and other new developments in biomedicine."
Susan E. Lederer, Ph.D., Visiting Curator of the exhibition, noted, "Unlike Mary Shelley's day when access to medical and scientific knowledge was limited to a wealthy and educated elite, today we have unparalleled access to such information through institutions like the National Library of Medicine, popular media, and the World Wide Web.
"The challenge is how to navigate this ocean of information to educate ourselves about new developments in biomedical science in order to make responsible decisions. As Mary Shelley long ago explained, we must like Prometheus, 'use knowledge as a weapon to defeat evil, by leading mankind, beyond the state where they are sinless through ignorance, to that in which they are virtuous by wisdom.'"
In addition to the exhibition, the Library will host a film series featuring five Frankenstein films (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Curse of Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein) which will be introduced with brief presentations by scholars, scientists, and film critics. The series will run on five consecutive Thursday evenings beginning November 6, 1997.
Press interested in a tour of the exhibit prior to the opening reception may contact the Public Information Office at (301)496-6308 or email: [email protected]/.
"Frankenstein -- Penetrating The Secrets of Nature" can be viewed at the Library Monday- Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (extended hours Thursday, till 9:00 p.m.), and Saturday 8:30 - 12:30 p.m. The exhibit will run through August 15, 1998.
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