Global Heartbeat: What's love got to do with it?

Citation

(2005), "Global Heartbeat: What's love got to do with it?", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 35 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2005.01735cab.028

Global Heartbeat: What's love got to do with it?

Global Heartbeat: What's love got to do with it?

What does the heart mean to you? An organ keeping us alive A symbol of respect A pain in the chest A beating bass drum? This deceptively simple question will form the "heart" of a special Valentine's event at the Dana Centre, London, on 9 February.

Before photojournalist Mike St Maur Sheil was rushed into hospital for an emergency heart operation, he had never contemplated what the heart meant. According to Mike:

• •

  I did not have time to worry about the meaning of the heart before my operation as I was admitted as a critical case and debate was not part of the deal. As a result of my experience I have no spiritual or cultural concept of the heart. It's really like a well made clock: it works so effortlessly that you take it for granted until it goes wrong. It's 'a pain in the chest'. A welcome pain, mark you.

Following his experience, Mike decided to return to the operating theatre and capture the journey of heart-op patients as they pass through the medical system. Thanks to the British Heart Foundation, he was able to follow the progress of two patients of his own heart surgeon, Professor Gianni Angelini.

Mike's work will feature as part of Global Heartbeat at the Dana Centre, London, on 9 February, and run by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). The event will feature a montage of these images, compiled by sci-artist Barry Gibb, as well as an audience-led discussion on the meaning of the heart. This will be followed by a special VJ chillout session of heart-themed music and images.

A surgeon, artist, patient and scientist will be amongst those taking part in the discussion. What does the heart mean to them?

Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net