In the Frame: A Curious Histories Double-Bill

For our September show, Curious Histories is delighted to support Digital Brighton and Hove, a charity that helps disabled and elderly people overcome digital and social exclusion. We're back upstairs at Brighton's friendly, quirky East Street Tap with two excellent speakers, Dr Alexa Neale and Dr Janet Pennington, who will be entertaining us with idiosyncratic stories from some neglected corners of artistic history.

Our talks:
The Art of the Crime Scene - Dr Alexa Neale

Before digital forensics and crime scene photography, court exhibits might include tiny doll-house-sized crime scene models – miniature renderings of rooms or buildings to situate witness testimony for the benefit of the court. With the help of these models, jury and judge could imagine M**der playing out in three-dimensional space without having to actually visit the scene of the crime. Interestingly, Sussex courts saw more than their fair share of crime scene models in the early twentieth century when use of these types of exhibits was in decline. In this illustrated talk, Alexa will describe tiny model trains, bungalows and hotel rooms and the life-sized deaths that occurred in them. We will learn about the crafts and cases associated with this largely forgotten forensic art.

The Art of the Inn Sign - Dr Janet Pennington

We rather take inn signs for granted as part of our urban street scene or perhaps a welcome flash of colour at the end of a country walk. But these signs were, and still are, much more than external advertising for food, drink and often accommodation. They reveal patronage, land ownership, social status and much more, opening a window to the past. Inn signs or pub signs remain full of meaning in the 21st century. Janet's talk, using examples across several centuries and drawing on local signage from Sussex and its surrounding counties, will unearth this overlooked part of social and local history.

Our speakers:

Dr Janet Pennington is a well-known Sussex historian and a vibrant public speaker. She taught local history and palaeography for the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sussex for many years, and was archivist at Lancing College. Amongst other things, she is a council member of the West Sussex Archives Society, life member of the Sussex Archaeological Society, member of the Sussex Family History Group, and Hon. President of the Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society.

Dr Alexa Neale is Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Sussex and the author of Photographing crime scenes in Twentieth-Century London. Her research focuses on crime and popular culture in historical perspective including images, narratives and objects.

FAQs

How do I find out more about Curious Histories?

You can follow us here on eventbrite, or join our public facebook chat group.

How do I get to the ?

It's towards the southern end of East Street, in the Lanes. On-street parking in the vicinity is very limited, but the NCP theatre car park on Church Street is reasonably close. Better still, all major city bus routes stop within a three-minute walk of the venue (alight at North Street). Brighton railway station is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the pub.

What refreshments will be available?

Buy your drinks in the bar downstairs before the event and at the interval - you can bring them up to the show.

How does this Curious Histories event support good causes?

All profits from this event will be going to support Digital Brighton and Hove.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?

The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have a list of names on the door.

What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?

If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.

Will latecomers be admitted?

Talks will begin at 7.30pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.

Is there wheelchair access to the venue?

Unfortunately, the nature of the building makes wheelchair access to the upper floor of the pub impossible.

Host or Publisher Curious Histories @ St John's