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Cutting Edge Science and Art Merge in New Interactive Sight Exhibition

9 August 2017

Dr Mariya Moosajee, Clinician-Scientist and Consultant Ophthalmologist, will lead visitors on a sensory exploration into the science of the eye in her new exhibition ‘Science of Sight’ at the Science Museum, London. A keen advocate that art can be for everyone, she will include tactile, scent and sound pieces from the BlindArt Collection at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

A new exhibition will be launched on 8th August 2017 at the Science Museum, London. The exhibition ‘Science of Sight’, part of the BBC Tomorrow’s World Live series, will be visited by thousands of people each day. Dr Mariya Moosajee will be joined by a team of scientists, researchers, artists and patients.

The exhibition, supported by The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, will include demonstrations and examples of pioneering science such as growing an eye in a petri dish, a model eye and brain, scent and sound boxes and tactile blood cells. Dr Moosajee will educate and entertain children and adults with demonstrations, talks and science exhibits during the three-day exhibition while discussing her own research and discoveries in sight and genetic conditions of the eye.

Art will be a key feature of the exhibition with sensory pieces on display from the BlindArt collection from Moorfields Eye Hospital. Visitors to the exhibit will be welcomed and encouraged to touch, smell and listen to art, thereby demonstrating that art can be created and enjoyed by people with visual impairments.

Dr Moosajee said of the exhibition, “We are thrilled to be invited to display our work at the Science Museum. It’s exciting that we are able to access so many people of all ages and showcase some of our innovation and research. We want to highlight that learning about the science of the eye and some of the conditions that affect it is accessible to everyone whether you have full sight or not. That extends into art as well, and I have an especially keen interest in ensuring that it can be enjoyed by everyone. We will be showing the science behind that too.”

A wealth of artists and experts, including those with blindness and partial sight, will be discussing the science and art. These include: Marcus Inniss who has Usher Syndrome and is partially deaf and blind, Annie Fennimore a blind artist, Suki Chan a film maker and Alexandra Contil-Lacoste a senses artist.

The Tomorrow’s World gallery can be found towards the rear of the main floor, between the restaurant and the IMAX theatre. Thousands of people are expected to visit the exhibit each day.

Journalists are welcome to visit the exhibition, please contact for details and media information.

Dr Mariya Moosajee is available for interview prior to and at the Science Museum, please contact to schedule an appointment.

Interactive demonstrations and talks will run each day from 8 to 10 August from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. The Science Museum is located on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.