Illustration of Der Golem, Jewish Museum in Prague

Illustration of Der Golem, Jewish Museum in Prague

The golem is a mythical creature from Jewish folklore and has influenced art, literature and film for centuries from Frankenstein to Blade Runner.

The golem is made from inanimate matter, which magically comes to life. Most famously created by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague, the golem was intended to protect the Jewish people against attacks. The golem encapsulates hope, terror and transgression.

The Barbican's AI: More than Human (16 May-26 Aug 2019) is an major exhibition exploring creative and scientific developments in artificial intelligence demonstrating its potential to revolutionise our lives. Part of Life Rewired, the Barbican's 2019 season exploring what it means to be human when technology is changing everything.