In keeping with the site’s name, the latest multidisciplinary exhibition will explore the real-life curiosities of Bristolians and the centre’s previous visitors. Inspired by questions collected from every postcode in the city, the show represents a format never before trialled by a major UK science centre.
Seven questions have now been selected for inclusion, with each forming the basis of a designated exhibition area – or constellation as they will be known. The queries follow the themes of illness, rainbows, happiness, the universe, invisibility, soul, and time.
Those questions that didn’t make the final seven will form part of a curiosity database for visitors to explore.
“With Project What If we want to challenge preconceived ideas, give a platform to all voices and help remove barriers to participation,” says We The Curious CEO Donna Speed. “Our new exhibition will open up science to all and empower people to participate in real scientific research. Our aim is to place people at the heart of science and present the real world of science – a world that is creative, collaborative, uncertain and inspiring.”
The three-year project received a £3 million grant from the Inspiring Science Fund, run in partnership between Wellcome and UK Research and Innovation. Over £900,000 was also donated by a variety of other funders.
“Like all science and arts centres around the UK this is not an easy time for us but we are still focused on making this experience as open and collaborative as it can be,” Speed adds. “We’ve employed over 100 collaborators, and have been working with researchers and young people across the city to make this happen.”
The exhibition will occupy the venue’s foyer and ground floor, opening in November if all ongoing redevelopment work is completed on schedule.
