Congress for Curious People at Coney Island this Weekend

Calling all Coney Lovers and lovers of curious things, check out this fab event out at Coney Island USA this weekend! This event is partially put on by the people at the Observatory over here in Gowanus and also Morbid Anatomy.

Date: Saturday April 17th and Sunday April 18th

"The Congress for Curious People is a 2-day symposium exploring education and spectacle, collectors of curiosities, historical fairground displays and more, in conjunction with The Coney Island Museum. The symposium will feature panels of humanities scholars discussing with the audience the intricacies of collecting, the history of ethnographic display, the interface of spectacle and education, and the politics of bodily display in the amusement parks, museums, and fairs of the Western world. Also on view in the museum will be “The Collector’s Cabinet,” an installation of astounding artifacts held in private collections. In conjunction with the events at the Coney Island Museum, Observatory’s Gallery space will host “The Secret Museum,” an exhibition exploring the poetics of hidden, untouched and curious collections from around the world.

The Congress for Curious People will serve as an academic counterpoint to Coney Island’s Congress of Curious Peoples, which Coney Island USA has convened since 2007 at Sideshows by the Seashore. In the past, the Congress has included performances by artists like Joe Coleman and Harley Newman, feats of strength, and world-record breaking attempts, among others."

I'm bummed I will be out of town at another curious place. The place that spawned John Waters and Edith Massey. Baltimore!!! Can't wait!