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Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum

Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum

When
13 February 2010 -
05 September 2010

10.30am - 5.30pm

Where
Horniman Museum

Nearest Tube
Forest Hill

Cost
£2.500-£5.00

Age Restrictions
n/a

Get ready to experience the world of Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum, as the exhibition looks at weird and wonderful creatures from around the world, and even outer space.

Myths and Monsters exhibition
The Horniman Museum is getting spooked by myths and monsters for 2010 as they attempt to examine the truth behind the legends of famous creatures such as the cyclops, the unicorn and the yeti. Animatronic versions of the Acyclops, the chimera and the yeti bring these creatures to life and invite visitors to ask, are they all imaginary or is there a grain of truth to their status?

Storytelling from across the world
Sea monsters, giant serpents, dragons, chimeras and giant hairy men are all the stuff of children's stories or myths from around the world, but where do these legends come from. Examining the ways in which the stories behind the fabulous creaures have developed, Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum is a thrilling exhibition for children of all ages that love the idea of monsters.

Fact or fiction
As different legends are created in different parts of the world depending on local stories, climate and religious beliefs, monsters are created through human imagination or fear. Examine the yeti scalp discovered by Sir Edmun Hilary in Tibet, and find out about the giant apes living in the wilderness until very recently. You can also learn about the magical powers of the unicorn, the legendary Loch Ness Monster and the biologically complicated chimera, with its lion head, goat body and dragon's tail. But what Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum hopes to unravel is, do any of them actually exist?

Dragons and dinosaurs
Whether your child is obsessed with dinosaurs or has falled head over heels in love with the Gruffalo, the exhibition of Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum examines the links between mythical dragons and real life dinosaurs. Looking at the science behind certain animals, the exhibition highlights just how some real creatures such as the Duck Billed Platypus seem mythical, and why legendary animals like the Japanese Merman seemed to be real. And for those who will be sorely disappointed to learn that most monsters exist only in our heads, you will be thrilled to find out why the yeti might actually be real!

Alien lifeforms
As scientist put a conservative estimate on the number of species on this planet at 30 million, and only a fraction of them have been discovered, the Myths and Monsters exhibition delves even further into the unkown to ponder the existance of aliens. With interactive sessions, a dressing up box, games and stories for little ones to get involved with there is plenty to entertain and educate at Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum.

Myths and Monsters at Horniman Museum takes place from Saturday 13th February - Sunday 5th September 2010. Tickets are £2.50 for children, £3.00 for concessions and £5.00 for adults. Kids under three go free.

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