9 October 2013

'Forbidden Fruit: Appetite & Desire' - Culture Day 2013

Actors, musicians, psychologists, biologists and philosophers are among those who will be exploring historic and contemporary patterns and representations of appetite and desire at the University of Dundee's ninth annual Culture Day next week.

Students, staff and members of the public will be treated to a rich and varied programme entitled, 'Forbidden Fruit: Appetite & Desire' at the Baxter Conference Room 1.36 on Wednesday, 16th October.

Organised by the University's Culture and Arts Forum, the Culture Day is now firmly established in the University's calendar and has proved popular with a wide audience. The event features a series of 15-minute presentations and performances from members of the Forum and is intended to showcase a range of subjects relating to the theme.

'Appetite and desire are ubiquitous themes in the arts,' said event co-ordinator Matthew Jarron. 'The Bible, and the tale of forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, is an obvious starting point for much of the cultural output of the modern world. Our cravings inspire the arts but we will look at how the resulting literature, arts, music, design and advertising then goes on to influence cravings that should by rights be fixed by our biology.

'What is interesting about this year's programme is that we will be looking at the topic from a variety of angles - historical, cultural and scientific. Our speakers will be approaching the subject from a range of perspectives and delivering interesting and thought-provoking talks. It is a great opportunity for members of the public to engage with these topics and with the diverse range of interests involved.'

Visitors will be welcomed at 1.45pm, and the first item in the programme will see Graeme Stevenson from the University's choir and orchestra lead a performance of Bach's 'Coffee Cantata', the tale of caffeine addiction at a time when consuming the stimulant was widely believed to be a seditious act.

Other presentations include:

• Neil Paterson (Botanic Garden) - Eat at your peril! Taste, poison and mimicry in evolution.
• Jackie Malcolm (Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design) - Food as a Trigger for Memory.
• Trevor Harley (Psychology) - Living to a budget
• Caroline Brown (Archive Services) - Chicago, Dundee and Paris: the passions and prejudice of a 19th century Dundonian.
• Brian Hoyle (English) - Food, Sex and Death in European Cinema.
• Dominic Smith (Philosophy) - The Appetite for Paradox: Critical Reflections on Contemporary Internet Culture.
• Annie Tindley (History) - Appetites of the Flesh: scandal, money and inheritance in the British Aristocracy, 1880-1895.

The Culture Day will conclude with the JOOT Theatre Company performing the Seven Deadly Sins scene from Marlowe's 'Dr. Faustus'.

'Forbidden Fruit: Appetite & Desire' - the ninth annual University of Dundee Culture Day - takes place at the Baxter Conference Room 1.36, Tower Building from 1.45pm on Wednesday, 16th October.

Admission is free and visitors are welcome to attend as much of the event as they choose. The programme is also available online at www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/caf/.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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