Anatomical Theatre is an innovative project that brings together heritage, science, and contemporary art, creating a dialogue between the historic collections of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL), celebrating its bicentenary, the Lisbon Coliseu dos Recreios, and new artistic works developed within the context of cutting-edge scientific research.

Curated by Marta de Menezes, an internationally recognised pioneer in bioart and artistic research, and Manuel Valente Alves, artist and specialist in the history of medicine and the city, the project invites artists to undertake residencies in biomedical laboratories, exploring the concept of One Health and the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.

At the intersection of science, memory, and experimentation, Anatomical Theatre invites visitors to discover new perspectives on the body, life, and ecosystems through works that merge scientific research with artistic creation. The exhibition features works by Amy Pilling, Ana Ventura, Andrew Carnie, André Araújo, Anna Isaak-Ross, António Caramelo, Ânia Pais, Carla Rebelo, Crystal Kershaw, Erich Berger, Maria Manuela Lopes, Marta de Menezes, Nuno Sousa, Sally Santiago, and Sérgio Eliseu, alongside pieces from the Cultivamos Cultura Collection and objects from the FMUL Anatomical Collection and Historical Holdings. Part of the exhibition was developed through artistic residencies at Ectopia by Ana Ventura, André Araújo, Carla Rebelo, Sally Santiago, Marta de Menezes, and Anna Isaak-Ross.

The project is a collaboration between Ectopia, the Lisbon Coliseu dos Recreios, the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, and the Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine (GIMM).

The visit to the Lisbon Coliseu dos Recreios invites visitors to discover the history and iconic spaces of this historic theatre, culminating in the Anatomical Theatre exhibition.

An opportunity to experience the Coliseu from a new perspective, exploring the meeting points between culture, knowledge, and innovation.

Information:

📍 Lisbon Coliseu dos Recreios
🗓️ 6–29 August 2026
🕑 Open daily from 2:00 pm (closed on Sundays)
🎟️ Tickets from €8 (special rates available for groups of more than 10 people)
📞 Group bookings: bilheteira@coliseulisboa.com