Anthropomorphic Taxidermy with Sue Jeiven: New Episode of The Midnight Archive

The Midnight Archive is a web-based video documentary series "centered around the esoteric and always exotic personalities that spring from Observatory," the Brooklyn-based event/gallery space I founded a few years ago. A new episode--this one based on the lovely and inspiring Sue Jeiven, who taught a beloved and continuously sold-out class on anthropomorphic taxidermy at Observatory--has just been released; you can view it above by clicking play.

Here is what Ronni Thomas, the man behind the series, has to say about this particular episode:

From the occult streets of midtown manhattan to a tattoo parlor in Brooklyn where Sue Jeiven is breathing new life into dead animals. We sat with Sue who teaches classes on Anthropomorphic Taxidermy at the Brooklyn Observatory to get some info on this unique and interesting art form.

EPISODE 03 : Anthropomorphic Taxidermy -- This episode brings us the cutest little thing ever to rip the guts out of a dead cadaver. I was very grateful when Sue Jeiven, a tattoo artist of East River Tattoo in brooklyn agreed to let me film her to chat about turning mice into little men. Here we discuss the history and process and facination behind a very old and very odd artform; anthropomorphic taxidermy. As Sue will explain, its the process of taking an animal's skin, preparing it, and putting it in a human-like setting. It sounds much more charming coming from sue. So have a look and if you are interested, she is planning a book on taxidermy in addition to occasionally teaching students how to 'DIY' their own little mouse or squirrel. Check in at the Brooklyn Observatory in hopes she adds another class in the future!

For more on the series, to see former episodes, or to sign up for the mailing list so as to be alerted to future uploads, visit The Midnight Archive website by clicking here. You can also "like" it on Facebook--and thus be alerted--by clicking here. To find out more about Observatory, click here. To be alerted to future classes taught by Sue Jeiven, click here to sign up for the Observatory mailing list.

Also, to see brand new episodes in person and meet the filmmaker, please come to the Observatory Halloween/Day of the Dead/Screening party! Click here for more on that.