Curiosities from the Hanbury Collection will open at 15 Bateman Street, London, W1D 3AQ on 7th November and run to the 29th November. Entry is free every day from 11.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs.
In the style of a traditional Wunderkammer, Curiosities from The Hanbury Collection features a collection of curiosities curated by The Connor Brothers.
Among the exhibits on display are a gold plated hippo skull (see above) purported to have been owned by notorious cocaine trafficker Pablo Escobar, the jaw of a 70 foot long prehistoric shark, and the world’s most intelligent computer.
As well as objects from natural history, technology, art and archeology, there are some exhibits so unusual that they defy categorisation.
This show is an immersive experience which confuses reality with fiction, and leaves the viewer unsure which unbelievable things are true, and which believable things are imaginary.
Artist and co-curator Mike Snelle said:
“Seeing the Hanbury Collection is like visiting the Natural History Museum whilst on psychotropic drugs.”
Among the Hanbury Collection’s extraordinary range of items is one of the only computers said to be capable of passing the Turing Test.
B.R.I.A.N is a computer programme able to read microexpressions, fleeting universal and involuntary facial expressions that betray our subconscious emotions. Originally developed by the CIA as an interrogation tool, later abandoned and reprogrammed as the world’s most accurate psychometric programme, The Hanbury Collection owns the only version in private hands.
There are limited places for a small number of people to experience an interaction with B.R.I.A.N, and to be given their own personality profile.
Snelle says: “Come and have a go, if you dare!”
Booking – which can be done by emailing brian@theconnorbrothers.com – is essential for this exhibit.
Entry to Curiosities from the Hanbury Collection is free.
The Connor Brothers are London artists Mike Snelle and James Golding, whose story was recently told in the Daily Telegraph.
