Utopian lab: Twin tales
The unique bond between twins is both emotional and physical. The close relationship that often exists between twins provides an example of ultimate human connection and compassion. And twin-based health research can provide us with insight into the human body that other methods of research cannot provide; comparing identical and non-identical twins enables researchers to tease apart nature versus nurture for a wide range of variables such as personality, health and the ageing process. The Department of Twin Research, King’s College London has expanded our knowledge of healthy ageing, helping to create a better, healthier world. Twin Tales captures the unique relationship between twins through Iringó Demeter’s camera lens, and through recordings in which the twins talk openly about twinship, the human experience, and taking part in life-saving research.
Project lead
Dr Juliette Harris is a Research Associate & Engagement/Communications Manager at the Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology within the Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, King’s College London, and has worked closely with colleagues Dr Deborah Hart, Victoria Vazquez and Matthew Osmond to produce the Twin Tales exhibition.
Utopian lab
This project was part of the Utopian lab, a contemporary glimpse of the Health Faculties at King’s College London. The crusade to understand, save and compliment the human body and mind was the spirit of Utopia itself, uniting cultures, defining humanity and standing on the shoulders of giants.
Rotating through the different stories of present day work day work being carried out across the Health Faculties at King’s College London, Utopian lab was a snapshot of the future with roots firmly planted in King’s College Hospital’s past: a workhouse on the Strand that was propelled to notoriety by the surgery work of Joseph Lister in the late 19th century.
‘I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results’ – Florence Nightingale