National Museum of Scotland
IIana Halperin: The Library
24 May – 29 September 2013
Ilana Halperin, excerpt from The Library, etched book of Maine Mica
Contemporary artist Ilana Halperin explores notions of time in The Library, a new exhibition that presents rocks, minerals and geological artefacts in a new and remarkable light.
Tracing a thin and permeable line between geology and biology, culture and nature, Halperin introduces visitors to the alphabet of geology: including agates that share the artist’s birthday, minerals that record the collision of Earth and outer space, and artworks slowly formed in caves and geothermal springs. At the heart of the exhibition is the artist's most ambitious project to date: a 1.3 ton stone library featuring ‘books’ of the mineral mica.
Originally from New York, Halperin trained as a stone carver before her growing fascination and interest in geology drew her to Scotland, recognised as the birthplace of geology. Now based in Glasgow, Halperin is the first recipient of an Artist’s Fellowship at National Museums Scotland, during which she has been researching the Museums' own collections and exploring geological phenomena in the wider world. Her research has taken her from the Blue Lagoon and active volcanoes in Iceland to the Fontaines Petrifiantes, family-owned petrifying caves in France.
Supported by Creative Scotland.
Mon–Sun, 10am–5pm
Free admission
Events
3 August 2013
Geological Home Movies
3–4:30 pm
Free admission
17 August 2013
A Tour of The Library
4–4:45pm
Free to join
National Museum of Scotland
Mary, Queen of Scots
28 June – 17 November 2013
Gold locket, part of the Penicuik jewels, preserved by the Clerks of Penicuik as relics of Mary.
Mary, Queen of Scots is arguably one of the most enigmatic figures in Scottish history, and her story can still arouse strong emotions: was she betrayed by those she trusted, condemned to die a Catholic martyr or was she a murdering adulteress with her husband’s blood on her hands? Showing only in Edinburgh, Mary, Queen of Scots provides a unique opportunity to re-evaluate much that has been written and speculated about this charismatic monarch.
Drawing together surviving relics intimately connected with Mary and wider Renaissance material from public and private collections, this exhibition takes a fresh, innovative approach by using jewellery, textiles, furniture, documents and portraits to explore the dramatic story of the sovereign, the woman and this fascinating period in Scottish history.
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.
Mon–Sun, 10am–5pm
Adults £9, concessions £7.50, child (12–15) £6, under 12's free
National Museum of Scotland
Amazing Amber
10 May – 8 September 2013
Leaf in Mexican Amber, courtesy National Museums Scotland
Bringing together highlights from National Museums Scotland's collection for the first time, Amazing Amber explores the many facets of this beautiful and versatile material, revealing its origins and its diverse properties.
On display will be pieces from across the globe - from Borneo to the Baltic, Sicily to Scotland - reflecting both the wide variety in appearance of fossilised tree resin and the range of its material applications. Used for centuries as a decorative artefact, amber was also treasured for its perceived magical powers, crafted into charms and amulets to heal and ward off evil spirits.
Amber is also prized for its unique capacity to preserve fragile life that is millions of years old, opening a special window into the past. The exhibition explores how scientists are continuing to make exciting new discoveries based on life forms preserved in amber.
Mon–Sun, 10am–5pm
Free admission