Art and culture have always been fascinated by fainters, from the medieval knights passing out with passion to the Bridgerton and black-and-white-movie heroines overcome with emotion. But what would you swoon for? And why does it matter?
This drop-in event held at Bristol’s M Shed in partnership with Creative Youth Network, ‘Swoon! ’ is an inclusive exhibition, which introduces visitors to the history of fainting and invites them to create their own response through a drop-in writing station. The creative display will include examples of fainting in art, writing and film, asking questions about gender, vulnerability, emotion and consciousness, and how they affect how we move through the world.
Visitors who choose can make their own ‘swoon art’ and add it to the display, guided by poet Kat Lyons and University of Bristol researcher Rachel Hare. At 1.30pm, dancer eden will improvise a short performance inspired by a live reading.
The event is aimed at people aged 12 and older, but accompanied younger children are welcome to take part too.
This event is part of the University of Bristol Being Human Festival 2025 Hub Programme.