
Rex and the city. Saurians and us (4th century bc – 20th century AD)
Why, even after two centuries of palaeontological discoveries, is it still easy to associate the image of the dinosaur (literally deinos terrible/fearfully great + sauros, saurs) with dragons, chimeras and other saurians of fantasy based on myth?
Although there is no scientifically documented link between dinosaurs and these depictions of monstrous reptiles, a wide range of forms and imaginary images have been invented, almost as numerous and varied as the range of visual cultures themselves. The wealth of these images is such as to cause any scholar of iconology to shy away.
At the end of the eighteenth century, the first fossil finds led scholars to hypothesise the existence of a “prediluvian” world (literally ‘before the Flood’), one not modelled to be at the service of humankind. The interpretation of the fossils stimulated a heated scientific debate, but also amplified the imagination of artists, writers and illustrators over time and space with a vast production that still influences our imagination today.
Nowadays, palaeontologists area able to place those fearful creatures – dinosaurs – that roamed the earth long before the appearance of the genus Homo, in a precise framework of time and space; dragons and chimeras remain outside their area of expertise.
The exhibition is divided into three sections and highlights objects in the permanent collection of MUDEC, as well as being enriched by international loans, together with books, posters, cartoons and films from leading Italian institutions.
monday
02.30pm-07.30pm
tuesday / wednesday
friday / sunday
09.30am-07.30pm
thursday and saturday
09.30am-10.30pm
THE TICKET OFFICE WILL CLOSE ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION
Admission with the ticket of Permanent Collection
(free until 31 August 2017)
Mudec - Museo delle Culture. Spazio Focus
via Tortona 56, Milano
Info and booking
0254917