Milk

‘Milk’ exhibition at the Welcome Collection explores why cow’s milk has had a critical role in British society and how politics and marketing shaped the way we think the best way to feed our babies.

 

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‘Milk’ exhibition at Welcome Collection | 📍 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE | Until 10th Sept 2023 #welcomecollection #londonexhibitions2023 #milkexhibition #freeexhibitionlondon #wheretogoinlondon #visitlondon2023 #urbanadventures #londonadventures #londonblogger

♬ Daydreams – Gentle State

 

Milk

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Milk is heavily woven into our everyday lives by being central to many people’s diets: many of us drink it daily, we put it into our tea or coffee and feed our children with it because milk is considered to be a perfect source of nutrition and seen as essential for good health.

But…

Why has cow’s milk been considered to be so important for human health and balanced diet? How milk has become a political tool and how its popularity was aided by impactful marketing campaigns that shaped the way we feed our babies?

Welcome Collection’s exhibition, ‘Milk’, showcases over 100 objects, including historical objects, public health posters from the past, items used by farmers and contemporary artworks.

 

Exhibition Highlights

 

 

For What It’s Worth by Jess Dobkin

  

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Milk banks have been distributing human milk for many years. This thought-provoking installation encourages visitors to consider the regulation, politics, and ethics of selling human milk in the 21^st century.

 

Deeper in the Pyramid: Share the Throat by Melanie Jackson and Esther Leslie

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Deeper in the Pyramid festures sculptures, animation, and Tetra Pak-like shapes in front of a bright lit yellow background. This installation reflects on milk as “one of the most technologized fluids in the world.” Jackson and Leslie are taking us for a journey into the fantasy world where they visualise various life forms through milk.

 

A Giant Cow Udder by Julia Bornefeld

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

  

This large hanging udder which has 13 teats instead of 4, resembles the shape of a human breast, asking visitors to re-consider human and animal bodies and milk-giving.

 

Mule Sculpture Carrying Cheese

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Dating back to the 3^rd or 2^nd century BC, his sculpture is the oldest object in the exhibition. The existence of this antient artwork shows how remarkable history the tradition of cheese-making and fermentation has.

 

A Collection of Cow-Shaped Cream Jugs

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Cow-shaped creamer jugs like these would be used in the 18^th and the early 19^th centuries. These stylish jugs were designed for serving milk or cream for tea.

 

‘Milk’ by Lucy + Jorge Orta

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Milk containers have been produced in different shapes and sizes in different countries all around the world. Milk has been sold in jugs, bottles, cartons or even bags depending on which country you live in.

 

 

Public Health Posters from the Past

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

In the late 19^th century, it was believed that women with babies needed scientific advice on how to take care of their infants. Public health posters like these were placed in all over the cities to remind parents the importance of consuming milk.

‘Milk’ exhibition is open from 30^th March – 10^th September 2023 at Welcome Collection (closest stations are Euston and Warren Street stations) and completely FREE to visit.

NO booking required.

 

 

 

 

Ready for your next adventure? You still have time to visit Colours Festival in Camden Town. The exhibition features giant neon murals, illustrations, and creative photography by 35 artists from all over the world in over 1,000 square metres. It’s an exhibition you don’t want to miss. Open Thurs-Sun until 23rd July 2023.