Wellcome Collection: DIRT.
One of my favourite places in the world. Dirt was interesting, surprising, repulsive and exciting. Covering a range of topics from bacteria and disease to Nazi's and eugenics. Dirt explores humans complex relationship with dirt, through a variety of medium: ceramics, illustrations, 19th and 20th Century posters and ad campaigns, artist installations, photography and video. I found the illustrated posters of ways in which to beat cholera particularly amusing and the photographs of Staten Island extremely disturbing.
A young Venetian woman, aged 23, depicted before and after contracting cholera Coloured stipple engraving, c.1831. Wellcome Library Collection
An etching, with watercolour, of a figure dressed in a cholera safety suit, circa 1832. Credit: Reuters/Wellcome Library, London
Photographer/artist: Diane Cook and Len Jenshel/Getty, Staten Island, New York, 1992
