Portrait in Wax: The Anatomical Models of Anna Morandi Manzolini
For those travellers doing ‘The Grand Tour’ of Europe in the middle of the eighteenth century, a recommended stop was to see ‘The Lady Anatomist’. Anna Morandi Manzolini made beautiful anatomical models from wax and taught students anatomy. Initially working with her husband, after his death, she carried on her anatomical investigations on her own. She claimed to have dissected over 1,000 cadavers in pursuit of her art, and her work was recognised across Europe, from the Royal Society in London, to Catherine the Great in Russia. This talk will look at Anna Morandi Manzolini’s life and career, and her patronage by a Pope who promoted scientific investigation and the education of woman.
Biography:
Cat Irving has been the Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons’ Hall since 2015 and has been caring for anatomical and pathological museum collections for over twenty years. After a degree in Anatomical Science she began removing brains and sewing up bodies at the Edinburgh City Mortuary. Following training in the care of wet tissue collections at the Royal College of Surgeons of England she worked with the preparations of William Hunter at the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University, where she is now Consultant Human Remains Conservator. Cat is a licensed anatomist, and gives regular talks on anatomy and medical history. She recently carried out conservation work on the skeleton of serial killer William Burke
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Ancient Greco-Roman Werewolves and the Posthuman Imagination: Finding the Hum(an)imal
Mythology of ancient Greek and Roman origin has a certain preoccupation with the physical body and how it changes. Interactions between gods and mortals, mortals and monsters, the preternatural world and the limits of civilisation are marked by metamorphic myths. Transformation tales, like that of the monster we now know as the werewolf, highlight the very distinct lack of space between humanity and the wilderness that live outside our cities.
When the posthuman arose in the history of philosophy, we reconsidered the established binaries that informed our understanding of the human. Anthropocentrism was no longer the framework through which we viewed ourselves and other beings of the world – the animals, objects, machines that exist within our sphere. The human/animal binary, furthered by the works of Descartes and Foucault, began to blur.
In returning to the ancient materials on man-to-wolf transformation, this lecture will discuss the advent of the posthuman – and prove that it has existed for much longer than it has been recognised.
Bio
Tanika Koosmen i is Associate Lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology at Macquarie University, Australia. Her doctoral research considered the introduction of the werewolf in antiquity, posthumanism in critical and philosophical thought, and the reception of the transformative myth in modern literature, television, and film media. Her research interests include metamorphic mythology in the ancient Greco-Roman canon, literary folklore and fairy tale traditions, and the application of posthuman thought in contemporary media.
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Victorian Christmas Stories
Step into the enchanting world of yesteryears with our lecture on ‘Victorian Christmas Stories’. Journey back to the heartwarming Christmases of the Victorian era, where families gathered around the hearth, sharing tales that spanned from ancient Yule times in Scandinavia to contemporary narratives of Christmas magic. This lecture, enriched with a collection of peculiar, slightly eerie, yet traditional and original Victorian Christmas card illustrations, promises to transport you to a time imbued with the nostalgic vibes of Christmas. Don’t miss this opportunity to relive the charm and warmth of a Victorian Christmas.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
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Echoes from the Asylum: A Journey through the Mental Institutions of the 18th and 19th Century Europe
The massive buildings, the numerous mental asylums from the past still fascinate visitors and historians today. What was life like inside the walls of these closed institutions? What was it like to work there? To live there? This lecture travels back in time into the haunting shadows of the history of the mental asylums. Experience the chilling tales of those who were locked away, their voices silenced, their lives forever altered by the experimental treatments of their time. Uncover the harrowing stories of the inmates, their struggles, their resilience, and their unspoken hopes. Explore the evolution of mental health treatments, from the crude and often cruel methods of the past to the dawn of understanding and compassion. This lecture is not just a chronicle of history, but a tribute to the human spirit’s indomitable will to survive and never give up on the hope of freedom. Join us, as we unlock the forgotten stories etched in the cold stone walls of the asylums, resonating with the echoes of the past.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
From Dutch Courage To Trendy Cocktail – The History Of Gin
Ever been fascinated by the popularity of certain drinks and alcoholic beverages consumed daily in bars all over the world? Did the Gin Tonic recipe come into being by accident or was it a more thorough thought behind this popular cocktail? What about the juniper itself? How did this natural flavour become so widely appreciated by heavy drinkers and feinschmeckers alike? Welcome to an evening where we explore the fascinating history of Gin! Embark on a spirited journey with our online lecture, “’Gin: From Dutch Courage to Trendy Cocktail. Traverse the intoxicating history of gin, from its humble beginnings as a medicinal tonic in the Netherlands, known as ‘Dutch Courage’, to its meteoric rise as a fashionable drink in high streets around the world. Discover how this juniper-infused spirit has stirred societies, influenced cultures, and evolved through the ages. Whether you’re a gin connoisseur or a history enthusiast, this lecture promises to be a heady mix of knowledge and fun. Join us, and let’s toast to the fascinating world of gin!”
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
Victorian Ghost Stories
Step into the shadows of the 19th century, an era of occultism and gothic intrigue, with our online lecture on Victorian Ghost Stories. Unearth forgotten tales that surpass the horror of contemporary ghost stories in their eerie allure. These stories, with their dark themes and psychological realism, are representative of the Victorian era’s fascination with the supernatural and the macabre. The narratives, once lost in the dusty pages of antiquity, have been resurrected to chill your spine and captivate your imagination. Discover why the Victorian era, with its strange customs and mystic beliefs, crafted ghost stories that remain unparalleled in their ability to haunt the reader. Join us as we traverse the spectral landscapes of the past, where every creaking floorboard and flickering candle tells a tale of suspense and terror.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
19th Century Children’s Stories and Songs
Welcome to an extraordinary exploration through the enchanting treasure of European folklore in this upcoming Zoom lecture. Within this virtual session, participants will unravel a treasure trove of forgotten stories and songs tailored for children, meticulously unearthed by the lecturer from dusty tomes and ancient manuscripts. These timeless narratives and lullabies, once passed down from one generation to the next, emerge to once again enchant our modern hearts and minds.
Focusing on European and Scandinavian lore, this collection stitches together wonders that delve into the rich fabrics of these cultures. Delight in the captivating illustrations that breathe life into these tales, evoking a sense of magic and nostalgia. While exploring the tales from these regions, we also traverse the landscapes of Slavic and East European stories, incorporating a diverse array of cultural flavours to the lecture. Prepare to be entranced by the echoes of centuries past as this lecture revives the melodies and legends that have long enchanted children and adults alike, inviting participants to immerse themselves in a world where imagination knows no bounds and the spirits of folklore dance beyond the flicker of the screen.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
Malleus Maleficarum (1486) – the Medieval Witch Hunter Bestseller
Explore a chilling odyssey into the dark heart of the Middle Ages with a compelling lecture on the infamous “Malleus Maleficarum,” from 1486. The Malleus Maleficarum, commonly known as the Hammer of Witches, stands as the most renowned treatise on witchcraft. Penned by the German Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer, or Henricus Institor, it initially emerged in Speyer, Germany in 1486. Regarded as a significant demonological work of the 15th century, Kramer blamed women for his own desires, presenting his personal opinions as the stance of the Church. Although condemned by prominent theologians of the Inquisition at the Faculty of Cologne for advocating unethical and unlawful practices, and contradicting Catholic demonological doctrines, the Malleus treated sorcery as heresy, urging secular courts to prosecute it accordingly. Advocating torture for eliciting confessions and endorsing death as the sole means to eradicate the “evils of witchcraft,” the Malleus proposed burning “witches” at the stake, akin to the fate of heretics during that era. Despite ecclesiastical censure, the Malleus found favor among laypeople, enjoying a period of popularity. Join us as we decipher the arcane secrets hidden within this terrifying tome, delving into the twisted minds of its contributors to understand the methods, beliefs, and atrocities endorsed within its pages. Brace yourself to confront the malevolent specter of witch hunts and superstition that gripped the past, shedding light on a dark chapter that continues to haunt our collective memory.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
The black death and how it ruled the world
Did you know that there are documents from the time of the Black Death that depicts and describes the despair of the time the Yersinia Pestis was the ruler of the world? Have you ever wondered what the medical advice were like in a time where news travelled slow and contamination fast? In this lecture we dive into the haunting history of the Black Death and explore how this devastating plague swept across the world, leaving a trail of death and despair in its wake. Uncover the grim reality of the 14th and 15th centuries through a lens of preserved documents, witnessing firsthand accounts of a world consumed by fear and loss. Join us as we delve into the annals of history to understand how the Black Death reshaped societies, challenged beliefs, and ushered in an era of unparalleled darkness. Explore how the preserved documents paint a vivid picture of a world in turmoil, offering invaluable insights into the human experience amidst the grip of a merciless pandemic.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
Franz Kafka and his view on life
Step into the surreal world of Franz Kafka through a thought-provoking lecture that illuminates the cryptic writer’s unique perspectives on life. Explore the intricate web of existential themes, absurdity, and alienation woven throughout his works as we delve into Kafka’s introspective gaze. Discover how Kafka’s vision challenges conventional notions of reality and identity, offering a profound exploration of the human experience. This is a lecture that aims to wake an engaging exploration of Kafka’s perspective on life, where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary, and the familiar becomes a window into the depths of the self and society.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
