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Biomedicine in museums

The substance of fat – a multisensory event about fat

Want to explore fat with pencil and pastry fork?

Promo image Substance low-resWe seem to live in a world obsessed with fat. Obesity is described as a worldwide health threat, and we are bombarded by diet advice. But fat itself is a mystery. While we know that “full fat” foods can be bad for us, we also know that the body needs fat (and of course, greasy food can be the most delicious). We often find fatty substances disgusting, but moisturize our skin with lotions based on lard and oil. And the kinds of bodies seen as beautiful oscillate wildly over time and media. It’s a love-hate relationship.

Last year we opened the exhibition “Obesity – what’s the problem?” here at Medical Museion. The exhibition takes a close look at the gastric bypass operation used to treat morbid obesity, and some intriguing recent research in metabolism. It’s all very scientific and clinical. But what about fat as a substance? How do we feel about it?

On Sunday 5 May we organise an afternoon event full of sensuous exploration of our love/hate relationship with fat. With London-based fine artist Lucy Lyons as our guide, we will feel, draw and eat our way through a world of fat. Also participating will be senior curator Bente Vinge Pedersen, Medical Museion, who is responsible for the exhibition ”Obesity – What’s the problem?”. Associate Professor Romain Barres, a specialist in human fat tissue and metabolism at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen, will help us explore what scientists know about the way that fat cells work.

The event takes place at Medical Museion, Bredgade 62, 1260 Copenhagen K on Sunday 5 May, 1-5 pm.

Tickets including entrance to the museum, coffee/tea and cake are on sale at Billetto, 75 DKK.

More info here: https://www.museion.ku.dk/the-substance-of-fat-a-multisensory-event.

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Thomas Söderqvist

Author Thomas Söderqvist

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