Before heading to University you’re likely expecting to explore your subject area in through the traditional lectures, seminar’s and reading lists but in fact, in Birmingham especially, there are many events both on campus and around the city that allow you to engage in social sciences, often even for free as I did this weekend at the IKON art gallery in Birmingham city centre.
This Saturday, I visited The Care(less) exhibition at the IKON gallery which involved a 360-degree immersive VR experience created by Lindsay Seers. The project replicated the feeling of being in an ageing body, and emphasised the importance of social care and society’s treatment of the elderly or lack thereof.
Based on research by a group of universities including the University of Birmingham, the project allowed you to embody and experience the feelings of isolation, fear, and uncertainty that many feel as they reach old age.
For me particularly, the experience really symbolised the fragility of life and the importance of reaching out to those who are still with us whilst we have the chance, and I think what made the project so fascinating, and touching, was the differing impacts it had on people of varying ages.
The experience was also highly relevant to my degree and many of the degrees available in the college of social sciences as it addressed fundamental societal, political, and moral problems in terms of our attitudes to the elderly and their care, which can lead them to feel isolated even when paying for their own private care.
The part of the experience I found particularly rewarding was my final moments of reflection after taking off the VR headset as I took some time to contemplate and digest the artistic film as well as admire my surroundings within the room which contained snippets of objects in reference to the film such as portraits and dying sunflowers.
The experience as a whole was deeply thought provoking and a fascinating insight into issues I’m passionate about and often read into as part of my degree.
University of Birmingham College of Social Sciences 