EP: Ten giant inflatable statues will embellish the Botanical Gardens between 4 July and 13

Ten giant inflatable statues will embellish the Botanical Gardens between 4 July and 13 September. This Air Pressure exhibition shows American artist Paul McCarthy’s view of society in a controversial way. One of the statues is called ‘Santa Claus with Plug’, or Buttplug Gnome, which was bought by the Municipality of Rotterdam in the beginning of the year 2000. After protests among the population, it was banished to the inner court of the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum for four years. Air Pressure is a late present of the Municipality of Utrecht to Utrecht University on the occasion of its 370th anniversary in 2006. More information can be found on www.airpressure.nl.

Essay competition: Evidence-based medicine.

Some 20 years ago, the term ‘evidence-based medicine’ (EBM) was introduced. Doctors must base their choice of treatment on scientifically proven insights.

The second ‘Descartes’ Night’ – which will be held in the Geertekerk in Utrecht on 24 September – will be dedicated to evidence-based medicine. The Descartes Centre, Studium Generale and Ublad have organised a competition on this occasion. Students and employees of Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht are especially invited to send their contributions by email to a.heijnen@ublad.uu.nl. We welcome essays written in English. Essays may not be longer than 800 words and must be submitted before Tuesday, 1 September. They should include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The winning essay will be published in the Ublad which will come out prior to the Descartes’ Night. Moreover, the author will receive 250 euros in book vouchers.