City News

Imagine you could step inside a 17th Century painting, eavesdrop on Albert Einstein’s conversation or try squeezing yourself into a chair in the shape of a 19th century corset.

With the launch of a fantastic new interactive gallery at Birmingham City Council’s Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, visitors will be able to engage in and experience a variety of works through touch, sound and sight.

The In Touch gallery opens on Saturday 4th November 2006 in the heart of the museum and will provide an unusual introduction to the museum’s extensive collection.

Appealing to the senses and emotions, the gallery will contain a broad range of artwork including paintings, sculpture, costumes, textiles, jewellery, ceramics and an impressive suit of Samurai armour. The highly original layout and design of the gallery encourages visitors to walk under archways, sit on steps, explore alcoves and literally ‘get into’ art.

Visitors can take advantage of a rare opportunity to touch certain artworks, including original bronze busts by some of Britain’s most famous sculptors including Jacob Epstein. The busts have been specially conserved and treated so that they won’t be damaged when gently handled. Visitors can sit amongst busts of famous people including Albert Einstein and the Duke of Wellington, and listen in to their conversations.

One of the most unusual and impressive features of the gallery allows visitors to step inside Tobias Verhaecht’s 17th Century painting of Orpheus Returning from the Underworld. The oil painting is on display alongside a vast replica mountain reaching high up into the gallery.

To a proud Samurai warrior no possession was more impressive than his sword which was both a deadly weapon and a remarkable work of art. Visitors to the gallery will be able to enjoy a permanent display of Samurai armour, the deadly sword accompanying it and even try out a replica Japanese mempo (face mask) for themselves.

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said: “The In Touch gallery is a fantastic addition to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It’s great that visitors have the opportunity to touch and explore art works in such an intimate environment. – all for free.”

Culture Minister David Lammy said, "I congratulate Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on this new and innovative space. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and its partners are using exciting exhibition programming to enhance public access to collections and respond to the cultural and lifelong learning needs of residents. I also welcome the In Touch gallery as an important contribution to the on-going development of the city as a major visitor destination."

In Touch follows the launch of the family-friendly How Art Is Made display, also at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The Bull Ring Gallery will be launched in Spring 2007 and will look at the iconic landmark and its 800 year history.

In Touch is funded by Birmingham City Council with the support of The Department for Culture Media and Sport / Wolfson Foundation Museums & Galleries Improvement Fund, Renaissance West Midlands and the Museums Libraries and Archives Council.