Earlier this year, as part of its 25th birthday celebrations, We The Curious invited the people of Bristol to share their memories, photos, videos, and stories, helping to shape a one-of-a-kind interactive timeline. The response was overwhelming, with contributions capturing everything from early school visits and Planetarium “wow moments” to personal life stories created at We The Curious.
Now, these contributions have been brought to life with the help of interactive design studio Stand + Stare, transforming them into an engaging, living timeline that celebrates the past, present, and future of Bristol’s curiosity through images and interactive elements designed for all ages. The Curious Timeline is made from physical materials that have been squirreled away at the science centre – recycled pieces from the workshop, archival material, and repurposed parts of past exhibits all feature. The artists took inspiration from imagining these stored treasures coming back to life and marching out of the store cupboard to share their memories.
Memories featured in The Curious Timeline vary from families over the generations discovering the joy of the science centre, to couples finding love amongst the stars of the planetarium.
.jpg)
Jaz shared a personal memory saying:
“My partner proposed to me! We got engaged in the Rainbow Constellation exhibit, under warm pink light.”
And Taryn, reflected on the longstanding connection their family has to We The Curious:
“That early spark of curiosity has evolved into a cherished family tradition, extending through generations. We've since introduced my (now) 18-year-old grandson to its wonders countless times, and more recently, my 6-year-old granddaughter. We eagerly anticipate her 2-year-old sister's first visit soon… It's truly become a cornerstone of our family's shared experiences, a place where discovery and enjoyment intertwine, and a legacy we're delighted to continue.”
The Curious Timeline will be on display inside We The Curious from 24th October, offering visitors the chance to explore rich stories from across the city and even imagine what comes next. Families, science lovers, teachers, students and city explorers are invited to interact with the timeline and can add to the timeline with thoughts on the future.
Rosalie White, Creative Director at We The Curious, said:
“Seeing the Curious Timeline come to life is incredibly exciting. It’s a celebration not just of our 25 years, but of everyone in Bristol who has shaped what We The Curious is today. Curiosity doesn’t belong to any one person, it belongs to all of us.
“From half-term adventures to quiet moments of inspiration, we think the timeline will really connect with our visitors. It contains so many special memories, which piece together a moving picture of family ties, formative moments and joyful encounters. We feel so privileged to share these stories.
“And this is just the beginning. People can keep adding their ideas and help us imagine the next chapter of curiosity in Bristol.”
Lucy Telling, Co-Artistic Director at Stand + Stare, said:
“It has been an absolute joy delving into all the memories and contributions from the public. What stands out is how We the Curious holds such a special place in people’s hearts, spanning generations - parents who came as children and grandparents who remember when it opened and now bring their grandchildren. There are experiences which have led to career choices in science, sparks of inspiration and true romance!
“In the spirit of sustainability we decided to use materials from past exhibits to tell the stories of the past 25 years - literally the stories from the storeroom marching out into the foyer to celebrate this big birthday. Each year in the Curious Timeline is personified with a face to bring the materials and stories to life in what we hope will be a fun and appealing exhibit for all ages.”
The Curious Timeline will be open to visitors from 24 October, continuing the 25th birthday celebrations over October half term and beyond.
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
