Exposition Venenum, un monde empoisonné

Venenum

a poisonous world

Temporary exhibition

From 15 March 2017 to 13 April 2018

Venenum describes the different roles played by poison in history and culture, science and believers, medicine and criminality, but especially the unbelievable ambiguity of these substances that have both a pharmaceutical power that gives them unsuspected medicinal virtues and can also be toxic, leading to death.

Whether it is a form of defence or of power, a targeted or diffuse mortal arm, an environmental threat or a hope for the medicine of tomorrow, poisons have always stimulated fear and fascination. The exhibition explores the theme of poison in an interdisciplinary way, just like the permanent exhibition of the musée des Confluences. Works of art, historical and ethnographic collections mix and dialogue with the natural-science collections to illustrate the uses of poison during the course of history. Many audio-visuals and interactive displays make it possible to give an educational and contemporary view of the subject, whereas venomous and toxic animals displayed in an aquarium or a vivarium plunge you into the heart of this poisonous nature…

© Musée des Confluences

Partners : Arte, France Culture, Le Figaro, UGC, Expo in the City, France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Le Progrès, Le Petit Bulletin