Statuephilia
Contemporary sculptors at the British Museum.
4 October 2008 – 25 January 2009. Admission free.
Damien Hirst explores the symbolism of the skull and the futility of decorating plastic skulls in an attempt to make death more palatable. Curator Colin McEwan discusses skull imagery in Meso-American cultures, where the skull alludes to both death and life.
Produced by ZCZ Films
Inspired by the Museum's collection
Rock crystal skull
Quartz crystal skulls have generated great interest since they surfaced in public and private collections.
Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca
This mosaic is believed to represent the god Tezcatlipoca
or
'Smoking Mirror'.
Room 1: The Enlightenment Gallery
The Enlightenment was an age of reason and learning that flourished across Europe and America.
Case for an Angel I, Antony Gormley
Gormley on the British Museum as the foundation of sculpture.
Cornucopia, Damien Hirst
Hirst on the symbolism of the skull and its relevance across cultures.
Mask II, Ron Mueck
On Mueck's large scale sculpture, displayed next to the Easter Island statue.
Dark Stuff, Noble and Webster
Noble and Webster's twist on the mummification of animals.
Siren, Marc Quinn
Marc Quinn reveals his latest piece, inspired by ancient Greek sculpture.
