GALLERY: An eclectic Open House 2019

An eclectic array of performances, talks, debates and experiences took place over ten days in May, as the University of Liverpool’s Open House returned for the third year.

The programme opened at the University’s iconic Victoria Gallery & Museum with a harrowing look at the fate of Europe’s Roma people, throughout modern history and into contemporary times.

Professor Eve Rosenhaft presented her findings and examined documents and images, revealing the impact of different governmental policies on a persecuted people.

The Annual Michael Fang lecture was incorporated into this year’s programme. Lu Pan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chinese Culture at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, considered the influence of rapid urban development on public spaces, with particular emphasis on the impact born by those containing war memorials.

The following day, a panel consisting of Dr Kate Black, Professor Richard Worden, Ms Clare Gill, Professor Ric Williams, Dr Rebecca Davnall and Professor Karl Whittle joined for The Annual LivWise Discussion to consider the future of energy.

Dr Roland Enmarch took the festival from the modern to the ancient, with his insightful talk on The Hatnub inscriptions and the pharaoh’s pyramid. Dr Enmarch revealed how his work diciphering ancient wall markings in Egypt may have helped uncover how the huge pyramids were actually constructed.

In the Annual Fred Freeman Bequest Lecture, the University of Kent’s Dr Beth Breeze and Emeritus Professor Hugh Cunningham discussed the reputation of philanthropy in 21st Century life, and asked whether the criticisms the activity drew in the 19th Century still stand today.

The main programme concluded with the return of Shakespearean actor and performer, Michael Pennington. Michael read from his book, King Lear in Brooklyn; switching between powerful delivery of the Bard’s words, and intelligent commentary on the craft of acting and the role of literature.

The Open House programme straddled the citywide LightNight initiative, and there was plenty to discover and enjoy on campus. International artist duo, Vincent Moon and Priscilla Telmon brought their specially commissioned multi screen art installation, Hibridos, The Spirits of Brazil to the VG&M.

While in the University’s Garstang Museum, Dr Roland Enmarch was back to talk Egypt and the Brews & Brows crew were on hand to provide insight and advice around that 21st century beauty touchstone, the eyebrow.

Visitors also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural rituals of Stone Age people during the atmospheric Cave Rave, which was installed temporarily in the VG&M.