Eyes have it at new University exhibition

Published On Wed 2 Apr 2014 by Grant Hill

A new exhibition of objects and artworks from the University of Dundee’s collection will leave visitors with the distinct impression that they are being watched.

‘Do You See What I See?’, which opens at the Tower Foyer Gallery, on Saturday, 5th April, will display a variety of early ophthalmic instruments that give viewers an insight into the workings of the human eye. Also included in the exhibition will be teaching materials, charts, models and the fascinating artificial eye created by German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne to demonstrate refraction phenomena.

Art from the University collection featuring characters whose eyes appear to stare out from the work have been chosen for this exhibition, along with other imaginative pieces that will leave the viewer with the feeling of having eyes follow them as they wander round the exhibits.

The exhibition has been curated by Hope Roberts, who is who is halfway through a year-long internship with the University’s museum service funded by Museums Galleries Scotland through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme.

She said, “It’s wonderful to have looked at and researched these objects. There is something awe-inspiring about eyes and, with so many beliefs surrounding them, I think it’s interesting to understand how our medical and scientific knowledge of the eye has come about. 

“Looking at early instruments and tools, you find yourself recognising the techniques and objects that opticians use today, and it’s brilliant that the University has such a vast collection on objects and artworks that have helped us understand eyesight in many ways.”

Museum curator Matthew Jarron, who is supervising the internship, said, “Hope has been a terrific asset to the department and this exhibition has been her most challenging project so far. I’m delighted that she has come up with such a fascinating way of bringing together so many different parts of our amazing collections.”

‘Do You See What I See?’ will remain on display at the Tower Foyer Gallery, Tower Building, from 9.30am-8.30pm on weekdays and 9.30am-4.30pm each Saturday until 24th May. Admission is free.

More information is available by contact Hope on h.e.z.roberts@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 381354.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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