Innovative science, ethical dilemmas and “Blood Type Tinder” – Blood: Attract & Repel explores the multiple facets of blood.

Integral to human (and animal) life, blood has been a potent symbol in art and religious ritual throughout history. One need only to look to the furore over Austrian performance artist Hermann Nitsch’s 150.Action at Tasmania’s Dark Mofo this year to see the powerful response blood can still provoke in people. But blood is also vital for life-giving medical treatments as well as scientific and medical research. Blood: Attract & Repel – the inaugural exhibition of Science Gallery Melbourne, which will officially open in 2020 as part of the University of Melbourne – will immerse Melbourne audiences in a world of blood from July to October, exploring these ideas and more in a provocative exhibition at locations across the city.

“This exhibition is not for the faint hearted,” said Science Gallery Melbourne’s Director Rose Hiscock, who has a background in both science and the arts. “It will take audiences on a deep-dive into blood, a subject that intrigues, delights and revolts us. It’s the perfect collision of art and science and an ideal launch pad for a...