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Universcience explores wider impacts of disease with Cancers exhibition

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Universcience Cancer Exhibition posters

Universcience, an organisation that works to make science accessible to all, has debuted an exhibition designed to break down the walls of taboo and stigma surrounding different cancers, in Paris.

The exhibition goes beyond simply providing information by creating a space for visitors to explore the disease from all angles – including the scientific, medical, intimate, and societal aspects. Through exhibits, personal stories, and cutting-edge research, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of cancer on individuals and society as a whole.

Every day, a thousand people in France learn that they are affected by cancer. It is therefore a social phenomenon that affects everyone, from near or far. Yet, it is still invisible, even taboo within certain families.

Universcience hopes to spark conversations and promote greater awareness and understanding of this disease, while also highlighting the ongoing progress being made in the fight against cancer.

The exhibition’s title, “Cancers,” in the plural, speaks to the complexity of this disease: as pointed out by co-curator Laurence Caunézil. With over 200 different types of cancer, each with its own unique realities, the exhibition designers thought it essential to use the plural form of the word. Co-curator Maud Gouy also notes that every person experiences cancer differently based on their antibodies and immune system, making it an intensely personal experience.

Universcience Cancer Exhibition zones

While the exhibition covers a complex subject matter that typically requires a level of maturity and knowledge acquired in college and high school, it is open to visitors of all ages, with a recommended age of 14 and up. The first few months of the exhibition’s opening have seen a diverse array of visitors, from individuals to school groups visit Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, showcasing the exhibition’s versatility.

Contextually considerate

To create an exhibition about cancer that is both informative and inviting, the curators made a deliberate decision about the scenography to avoid an overly clinical and anxiety-inducing atmosphere. Instead, they opted for a gentle and colourful approach to combat the taboo surrounding the disease. This was made possible by the careful work of the exhibition’s scenographer, who designed different audiovisual installations and totems that complement and challenge the visitors. 

The result is a soothing and pleasant space, described by Caunézil as “you [will] feel like you are in a bubble”, highlighting all aspects of the disease while avoiding frightening or disturbing visitors. The scenography helps to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages visitors to engage with the subject matter and broaden their understanding of cancer.

The curators recognized the importance of accompanying the visitors throughout their journey. From the moment the visitors enter the exhibition, they are confronted with a preconceived idea that cancer is a contemporary disease. An installation challenges this assumption by revealing the historical origins of cancer, which date back thousands of years.

Universcience Cancer Exhibition microscope

Delving into Cancers

As visitors progress through the exhibition, they are encouraged to deconstruct their preconceived notions, throughout six principal distinct spaces. In the centre of the exhibition, visitors are given the freedom to choose what they want to see and what they do not, offering a sense of comfort to those who may have a personal connection to the disease. This approach recognizes that each visitor has their own unique experience with cancer and provides them with the opportunity to engage with the exhibition in a way that is most meaningful to them.

Each part explores a unique aspect of the disease. Evolution delves into the history and origins of cancers; Carcinogenesis: the biological process that gives rise to cancers; the Explosion, which focuses on the psychological impact of cancer and the announcement of the diagnosis; Research: offering a panoramic view of the latest scientific research and includes testimonies from researchers in the field; Treatments: which will show four cancer paths and the various treatments available for each; and to finish: Political which looks at prevention.

Replacing fiction with fact

Gouy emphasizes the importance of the final part of the exhibition, which focuses on cancer prevention: “Nearly 50% of cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking, and getting regular screenings. However, the Universcience exhibition aims to avoid making visitors feel guilty, as many cancers are not influenced by personal behaviours or their environment.

“In addition to prevention, the exhibition also sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of cancer: how it affects those in the workplace. Of the thousands diagnosed with cancer, every day in France, four hundred are in a professional setting, making it crucial to understand the regulations and laws in place for when they are ill or in remission. Through testimonials, the exhibition emphasizes this important point.”

While the theme of cancer is of public interest, it remains a subject that is often underrepresented in museums. The Universcience exhibition, which comprehensively covers the disease’s many facets, including its history, biology, psychology, research, treatments, and prevention, is a first of its kind in France.

Cancers, currently presented at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris, will be available for touring and rental from 2024, in France and internationally.

Last year, Universcience launched Cats and Dogs, an exhibition looking at the domesticated pets in detail at Horniman Museum and Gardens.

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Adam Whittaker

Adam studied Marketing and Advertising Management at Leeds Beckett University. Originally from Lancashire and now based in Norfolk, UK, you can usually find him appreciating art deco design or on a roller coaster.

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