Instrumental Change

In Semester 1, 2019–20 MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies students performed a range of collections management, interpretation and exhibition development tasks with about 540 objects from the University’s Museum of Medicine and Health.

Students researched and documented objects, assessed their conservation and environmental needs, examined the long-term sustainability of the collection and proposed possible uses of the collection. 

All this work informed the development of an exhibition of the objects in Manchester Central Library to reach members of the wider public: On 11 December 2019 students produced a group pop-up exhibition titled ‘Instrumental Change'. The exhibition reflected on the materials used in the development and transformation of medical practice and raised questions about material functions, sustainability and innovation in contemporary medical practices.