Thursday 13 January - Tuesday 29 February 2000

Filmed in the Museum's vast scientific collections, this new film installation makes us privy to an extraordinary meeting between individuals obsessed with the nature of insect civilisation. Transformed by fabulous sculpture-costumes to represent the insects they study, the scientists encounter Jan Fabre, ambassador of the beetle world.

Greatly influenced by his great-grandfather Jean-Henri Fabre, a famous 19th century naturalist, the beetle is a recurring theme in Fabre's drawings and theatre pieces.

Says Fabre: "I want to explore new interpretations for art and science with this piece, where the borders of these two disciplines touch each other. I've been enormously inspired by insects, particularly the Scarab beetle. In Flemish classical art they represent the passage of new life. I wanted to learn from the entomologists - perhaps change the way they look at things. The costumes act as a mask, changing the way they speak, move and behave. Consilience is literally a 'jumping together' of knowledge and facts across disciplines to create a common groundwork of explanation, as reflected in my approach to the Museum and its science".

Museum entomologists collaborating with Jan Fabre for "A Consilience" are:
Dick Vane-Wright, Head of Entomology (butterfly),
Dr Rory Post, Deputy Head of Entomology (fly),
Ian Gauld (parasitic wasp),
Martin Brendell (beetle)
Dr Martin Hall (fly).

VISITOR INFORMATION: The Natural History Museum is open Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.50pm, Sunday 11.00am - 5.50pm;
The Museum is open every day. Admission: Adult £6.50,
Child FREE (age 0-16),
Concession £3.50;

Access: the Museum is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. For details telephone 0171 942 5000
Nearest underground: South Kensington - Piccadilly, Circle and District lines;
Buses: 14, 49, 74, 345,C1, 209, 70 (Monday-Saturday only);
Museum public enquiries telephone number: 0171 942 5000.
Internet: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
The Natural History Museum project information page is here