Visualising human health and medicine throughout history using transformational make-up techniques. (360G-Wellcome-079450_Z_06_Z)

VISUALISING HUMAN HEALTH AND MEDICINE THROUGHOUT HISTORY USING TRANSFORMATIONAL MAKE-UP TECHNIQUES 1. The Centre for the History of Medicine is currently expanding its outreach work with a new project. The main aim is to bring the history of medicine to life through the medium of 'special effects' make-up. In this way audiences can explore and assume the physical and emotional characteristics associated with trauma and disease. This particular approach very literally animates and demonstrates the characteristics surrounding disease and health while providing participants with the chance to interpret and visualise the effects of a particular ailment using a combination of both artistic and scientific skills using a three-dimensional approach. In this way injuries, for example war wounds, and diseases such as smallpox and scarlet fever, will be realistically represented and each subject grounded in its appropriate medical-historical context. 2. The above method will be delivered in a series of practical demonstration sessions in schools, FE and sixth form colleges, museums and galleries, with supporting exercises and worksheets written on agreed topics. The project hopes to bring to teachers, pupils, parents and the wider community a better understanding of medical history for those with little or no knowledge of the subject. 3. By using this technique as the means of communicating health, disease and society, a variety of processes are used in the craft of special effects make-up, including knowledge of a number of affiliated subjects, including anatomy, chemistry, sculpture and history of art. 4. The principal applicant is trained to the standards of the International Health and Beauty Council of Great Britain, holds a BA in the History of Art and Design and is currently studying for an MPhil degree undertaking research into the toxicology of cosmetics and body ornamentation in the ancient world for which the applicant holds a Centre Bursary.