Launch of Body Snatchers: Nature’s Zombies and Vampires Exhibition
In view of Halloween this year, the museum launched its creepiest exhibition yet—Body Snatchers: Nature’s Zombies and Vampires which invites visitors to step into nature’s horrifying yet wonderful world of parasites while taking on the theme based on mid-20th century horror films. Curated by the museum’s senior conservator, Ms Kate Pocklington, the exhibition features an array of parasites ranging from horsehair worms, roundworms, leeches, bedbugs to lice!
A guest looking inquisitively at the horsehair worm specimens. Photo credit: Cherry Goh, 2021
Gallery impression of the 𝘈𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 roundworm specimens. Photo credit: Iffah Iesa, 2021
We were honoured to have Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament, and Prof Tan Eng Chye, President of the National University of Singapore launch our exhibition last Friday (29 October 2021) in the presence of some of the museum’s esteemed guests and supporters.
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin addressing guests. Photo credit: Iffah Iesa, 2021
Fascinating and entertaining
When asked for his first impressions of the exhibition, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin noted how the fascinating facts presented intuitively piques the layman’s interest, especially on organisms they might otherwise be instinctively averse to.
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Prof Tan Eng Chye on the gallery walk with the exhibit’s curator Ms Kate Pocklington (far left), Assoc Prof Darren Yeo (second to the left) and Ms Jharyathri Thiagarajah (far right). Photo credit: Martyn Low, 2021.
Many of the museum’s guests were also intrigued with the way the specimens have been artfully displayed. “It was extremely eye-opening but also very entertaining and interactive—I love the use of the different mediums and it (also) feels very modern”, expressed marine conservationist, Ms Kathlyn Tan, Director of Rumah Group and Rumah Foundation, and one of the museum’s donors.
From left to right: Prof Leo Tan, Mr Thomas Knudsen, Ms Kathlyn Tan and Dr Tan Heok Hui, admiring one of the artworks featured in the exhibition. Photo credit: Iffah Iesa, 2021
Misunderstood creatures which are indispensable to nature
Despite their stomach-turning reputation, the exhibition hopes to offer a different light on these underappreciated infesters, where Ms Pocklington highlights how “parasites play an important role in promoting biodiversity in an ecosystem, and they help to keep things in balance.” Citing the cordyceps as an example which can help to reduce the number of ants in a forest if they get too many, this facilitates the “ever-changing equilibrium of nature”.
Our curator, Ms Kate Pocklington, giving a thumbs up on the exhibition! Photo credit: Iffah Iesa, 2021
One of the museum’s honorary research associate and donor, Mr Khew Sin Khoon, Group Chief Executive Officer of CPG Corporation Pte Ltd also commended how parasites “are very intelligent in their biology despite the difficult conditions they face in order to survive because they are always trying to be eradicated (by their hosts)… There is a lot to learn from them and they have a right to survive as well.”
Tying back to the importance of natural history
On the collection’s aim to inculcate greater interest, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin also said, “I hope that the exhibition’s intriguing title and well-curated displays would not only generate buzz among visitors, but also make them better appreciate and take pride in how it captures the history of the fauna and flora that makes Singapore unique as a nation. Studying and learning more about them would inform us of what we can, and should, do to conserve this legacy for future generations”.
From left to right: Assoc Prof Darren Yeo, Mr Joseph Koh, Prof Peter Ng, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin & Mr Khew Sin Khoon. Photo credit: Martyn Low, 2021.
With its neon glows and morphing projections in this unearthly techy soundscape, visitors can expect to have their senses heightened while being grossed out at the same time in this weirdly wonderful exhibition!
To learn more about the exhibition’s highlights, click here.
Note: The exhibition is expected to run until the end of October 2022, so do come down with your family and friends when you can!
The exhibition was also reported on The Straits Times here on 31 October 2021.