upcoming residency

 I'm taking a moment to fill this in before I start packing for a trip that I have been anticipating for 6 months - a research residency at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.

This trip came about as part of my recently completed MA, during which I was exploring ideas to do with the aesthetic of the medical museum, and how that related to my experiments in self-portraiture, among other things. I'd been to a lecture at the Old Operating Theatre in London given by Dr Hickes, the director of the Mutter - not long after I'd shaved my head for my first head-casting experiment. Anyway, I enquired about visiting his museum and took his card... in the end it was over a year before I contacted him, but for some reason he remembered me - possible as the bald bird! and the wheels were in motion.

I was awarded a travel grant in order to visit the museum, although in the end my studies were finished before I had time to take advantage of it. However, I am continuing my visual research in this area - plus I have had a paper accepted for a conference this September, so am going to use my time in Philadelphia and the resources offered by the College of Surgeons to write it. I find it very hard to focus on writing, so hopefully the lack of distractions will benefit my efforts in that direction.

A recent studio sale at the farm means that I have been able to upgrade my accomodations from youth hostel to small apartment! Which should futher help my studies, although there is so much to do in Philly, and I am there for such a short time - 15 days - that I might be a little distracted. Last week I went to a lecture by Mark Dion at the Natural History museum, and, being a hopeless groupie and networker, I loitered at the drinks reception until I had a chance to speak to him. He has a place not too far from the city, and was kind enough to give me all kinds of suggestions for other museums to visit.

I am nervous and excited in equal measure. I really hope to make the most of this opportunity, but if I'm honest, I'm not an efficient researcher: I like to take things as they come, and previous experiences of research trips have shown that I often don't find out about useful places to visit in a city until after I've left. But if that is the case - I shall just have to return!

I will try and update my blog during my trip, but if not - theres always twitter! follow me here:  http://twitter.com/lisatemplecox