Theme: The Human Mind
Explore questions including whether free will is an illusion and what happens to the ‘self’ during deep sleep. Learn about the story of sound and dementia research.
What's on
The Myths and Science of Sleep
Join sleep scientist Graham Law as he explores the myths that surround sleep: some myths that are informative and helpful, others that are incorrect, and some that are positively damaging and counterproductive.
Exploring the Dark Self
Join us for an immersive audiovisual installation and discussion exploring the challenges of visualising deep sleep. The installation by artist Susan Aldworth - which can be viewed before or after the discussion - explores the different aspects of sleep that occur every night. Each of these is critically important in keeping us healthy and happy in our working lives.
The Story of Human Speech and Hearing
Sound forms a basic part of our lives; in terms of hearing it, we have no 'ear lids' so cannot turn it off. David Howard of Royal Holloway, University of London discusses the nature of sound. How is it used for communication? How is it used for music? How do we make sense of the sounds around us? Join David as he explores the basis of human hearing and how we understand speech.
The Brain in Performance
Come along and explore our connections with nature, outer space and the brain through an immersive audio-visual experience. The collaborative project, presented by Beau Stocker, Ben Eyes and Mohammed Mohanna, all postgraduate students at the University of York, will include live experimental electronic/acoustic music and immersive full-wall video projections in the 3Sixty room.
The Brain in Performance
Come along and explore our connections with nature, outer space and the brain through an immersive audio-visual experience. The collaborative project, presented by Beau Stocker, Ben Eyes and Mohammed Mohanna, all postgraduate students at the University of York, will include live experimental electronic/acoustic music and immersive full-wall video projections in the 3Sixty room.
Help Tackle Dementia: Knit and natter
Bring your knitting needles, wool and decorations, and relax and listen to music as you make a dementia Twiddlemuff - a knitted hand muff with bits and bobs attached, such as ribbons and large buttons. Twiddlemuffs provide an excellent stimulation activity for restless hands for patients with dementia during their stay in hospital.
The Brain in Performance: Workshop
Take part in a live music looping workshop and learn about the connection of experimental music performance and basic computer programming using biosensors and multimedia technology.
Nothingness, Emptiness and Absences
Join philosopher Tom Stoneham and art historian Michael White of the University of York as they introduce you to the strange world or nothingness. Tom’s research includes investigations of the possibility that there is nothing rather than something and the tangibility of shadows. Michael’s research focuses on abstract art and avant-garde practice in which voids, emptiness and absence feature strongly.
The Voices in All Our Heads
Psychologist and award-winning writer Charles Fernyhough tells a story of things in our minds. He explores the inner voice and dialogue in all our heads, and how this may help us understand how and why some people hear voices.
Is Free Will an Illusion?
Join philosopher Julian Baggini and psychologists Christian Jarrett and Adrian Raine as they look at free will from differing perspectives. Julian will address the questions of what does free will mean and do we have it. Are we products of our culture, or free agents within it? How much responsibility should we take for our actions?
This Way Madness Lies
Is mental illness – or madness – at root an illness of the body, a disease of the mind, or a sickness of the soul? Should those who suffer from it be secluded from society or integrated more fully into it? Join author Mike Jay as he explores the meaning of mental illness through successive incarnations of the institution that defined it: the 18th-century madhouse; the 19th-century asylum; the 20th-century mental hospital; and the post-asylum modern day, when mental health has become the concern of the wider community
Susan Aldworth: The Dark Self
The Dark Self is a major new exhibition featuring prints, installation, moving image and sculptures, all exploring the mystery of what happens to the ‘self’ during deep sleep. It includes 1001 embroidered pillowcases, sewn by people from across the UK, each representing ideas of sleep and dreams.
