“As curator of the Crick’s Outwitting Cancer exhibition, Yasmin took on the challenging task of translating the Crick’s cutting-edge cancer research into an immersive and engaging exhibition. Yasmin approaches her work with thoughtfulness and rigour and is skilled at understanding and communicating science. Yasmin immersed herself in the complex research happening at the Crick, and devised creative solutions to bring this science to life. The resulting exhibition demystified cancer and showcased the latest research, and visitors left feeling hopeful for the future.
Outwitting Cancer was the Crick’s most ambitious exhibition since we opened our doors in 2016; reaching thousands of visitors, and establishing the Crick as a visitor destination. Yasmin’s strong vision and thoughtful approach played a vital role in its success.“
Rosie Waldron, Head of Public Engagement at the Francis Crick Institute
Photo Credits: Fiona Hanson
An extraordinary exhibition!
It was a pleasure to curate the world’s first immersive exhibition on cancer research featuring the pioneering work taking place at The Francis Crick Institute which closed on 3rd December 2022. If you missed it, here’s a teaser:
It was a mammoth team effort to deliver. So why should you care? Here were 10 reasons to visit:
1. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: Cancer is one of the world’s biggest killers – at some point in our lives, 1 in 2 of us will be affected by it… BUT it’s an exciting time for cancer research. Outwitting Cancer empowered visitors with the fuel and confidence to discover more about how cancer starts, and spreads and the latest ways scientists can stop it through rebooting our immune system. This immersive experience offered a fascinating insight into the complex, feared and often misunderstood disease. Visitors were uplifted and pumped with hope for the future.
2. ART MEETS SCIENCE: Featuring ‘Micro Cosmos’, a multisensory audio-visual installation that takes visitors on a cinematic voyage of discovery into the human cell. We collected an epic selection of rare microscopy images and CGI animations from across different labs at the Crick which we weaved into a poetic storyline, zooming in and out of a fusion of biological realms and landscapes, projected onto a textured panoramic surface, and sequenced to the beat of a mesmerising soundscape composed by the late world-class sound artist, Mira Calix.
3. EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTERS: A series of specially commissioned films capture conversations between trailblazing scientists and non-experts. These gripping dialogues explored the big questions, hopes, challenges and opportunities that are driving groundbreaking research into cancer. Kudos to SDNA.TV for their production expertise.
4. ARTIST ILLUSTRATED ZINE: A rough guide to cancer by people who have lived it. The making of this exhibition involved close collaboration with a Patient Advisory Panel – an energetic group of volunteers who each have lived experience of cancer, either as a carer or patient. Our regular brainstorms with them proved to be pivotal in shaping the content. From influencing the narrative vision and physical design, right through to guiding the language and tone of the exhibition text. I’m so proud of the Onco’zine we co-created together with scientists at the Crick, superbly illustrated by Rebecca Sadie May, as a visual takeaway for visitors. It’s witty, playful, subversive, and informative. Flick through the online version here.
Our series of workshops with the Patient Advisory Panel was expertly facilitated by Wendy Sugerman and her team from WSA Community Consultants. You can read the summative evaluation report below.
Here’s a lovely testimonial about my involvement:
“I wanted to say a huge thank from all of us at the Crick for putting in so much time, thought, and energy into your work with the PAP. It was clear that the group had a really positive experience, and several people commented on your role in particular, especially the way in which you considered their feedback thoughtfully and kept the group informed as to how it was incorporated into the plans for the exhibition, and explained clearly when their preferences weren’t followed exactly. Working with patient groups is a new thing for us at the Crick, and you helped to make it a meaningful, productive and rewarding experience for all involved.”
Rosie Waldron, Head of Public Engagement at The Francis Crick Institute
5. HAVE YOUR SAY: Visitors were invited to share personal messages using a choice of elegant cards to display on strings of coloured ribbons in the serene Outro zone. The serene decompression zone proved to be a cathartic participatory platform.
6. A VISUAL TREAT: Exquisitely designed by Studio Prelude, the ambience of the gallery was a real tonic. The exhibition also had snug seating to hang out, socialise, reflect and recharge.
7. AUTHENTIC EDGE: Outwitting Cancer was the first exhibition of its kind where the pioneering research being showcased is taking place right under the same roof. Visitors got a sneak peek of Europe’s largest biomedical lab where scientists are striving to better understand human biology and thwart disease.
8. CENTRAL LONDON LOCATION: The Crick is easy to get to – just opposite St Pancras station, beside the British Library. The futuristic building is nicknamed ‘the Crick’, after the guy who helped to discover the DNA helix.
9. The exhibition was FREE! Due to popular demand it was extended until 3rd December 2022, attracting over 18,000 in-person visitors, exceeding footfall expectations during COVID restrictions.
10. PLUS there was season of special events AND weekly slots to meet a scientist in the gallery. Everyone was welcome to be heartened by the power of scientific research that is saving lives.
***Check out the media reviews***
BBC World Service Health Check (listen from 18 minutes)
It’s Nice That (Onco’zine)
It’s Nice That (Visual identity by Dn&co)
“Our curator, Yasmin Khan, did a wonderful job of selecting a variety of researchers to represent the work being done here at the Crick, alongside relatable non-experts with a stake in cancer research. Whether they are people living with cancer, having a previous experience of it, or having a professional interest in cancer research, our “non-experts” are experts in approaching the topic from a layperson’s point of view – asking the types of questions our visitors would want to ask, but might be too shy or embarrassed to ask themselves. Yasmin wanted the exhibition to be relatable and uplifting, and so set up the pairings to explore the big questions – hopes, challenges and opportunities that are driving cutting-edge research into cancer.”
Hana Dethlefsen, Exhibitions Manager, Francis Crick Institute
Monato + (Persian TV channel based in London) Segment starts from 41:18
BBC London TV News (24 September 2021):
WIRED (September 2021 issue)
Twitter highlights
LinkedIn comments
“Thank you for bringing your vision and wisdom to this important project.”
Bryony Benge-Abbott, Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions), Francis Crick Institute
