Sleep Talk
Friday 22 February, 19.00-21.00
Saturday 23 February, 10.30-17.00
Being unable to sleep can be frustrating, exhausting, liberating, inspiring and inexplicable. It is something that most of us have experienced; but scientists, sociologists, historians and artists are only now beginning to unravel its mysteries.
The event will begin on Friday evening with a special performance by innovative classical music group Manning Camerata of pieces by Luciano Berio, Domenico Scarlatti and Giacomo Puccini. The pieces selected for performance were written to cure the sleep disorders of the musicians' patrons.
This symposium brings together a panel of international speakers to explore sleeplessness in all its guises. On Saturday join our invited guests from across the world to explore how we understood insomnia in the past, and how that could alter our understanding of sleep today; how insomnia inspires creativity in some artists; why not being able to sleep is bad for your mind and other questions. Just don't expect them to solve your sleep problems.
In association with the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL.
In support of the 'Sleeping & Dreaming' exhibition.