Thanks to all those who braved the ice storms and freezing snow to make it out for our Morbid Anatomy holiday fair and Krampus Party last weekend! You can see a few photos above: top, Ryan Matthews Cohn with his stand at the craft hair, middle: Laetitia Barbier and Wilder Duncan getting into the spirit at the Krampus party. You can full sets of photos by clicking here for Krampus, and here for the Craft Fair.
Tonight, Tuesday December 17th at 8PM, we have another great event well worth braving the elements for:
"Anatomy of a Doomed Desire:
Hummingbird Collectors in the Romantic Period" with Judith Pascoe, author of The Hummingbird Cabinet: A Rare and Curious History of Romantic Collectors.
In the weeks and months to come, we also have scores of upcoming taxidermy classes, with Morbid Anatomy Taxidermists in Residence Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato, including Antlered Guinea Pig or Rat Gaff (Sunday, January 5); Anthropomorphic/Naturalistic Squirrel Taxidermy Class (Sunday, January 12); and Bunny Taxidermy Class (Saturday, January 25th).
Full details follow on all events; hope to see you at one or more of these terrific events!
Full details follow on all events; hope to see you at one or more of these terrific events!
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Anatomy of a Doomed Desire: Hummingbird Collectors in the Romantic Period
Illustrated lecture by Judith Pascoe, author of The Hummingbird Cabinet: A Rare and Curious History of Romantic Collectors
Date: Tuesday, December 17
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $5
Location: Observatory, 543 Union Street at Nevins, enter via Proteus Gowanus Gallery
Presented by Morbid Anatomy
Among the most arresting artifacts of the early nineteenth century are hummingbird cabinets in which ardent collectors pinned taxidermied birds to branches or fixed them in flight. In tonight's illustrated lecture, Judith Pascoe, author of The Hummingbird Cabinet: A Rare and Curious History of Romantic Collectors, will discuss the romantic-era vogue for hummingbird collecting, the collectors who sought these bejeweled birds, and the fervor behind collecting pursuits.
Judith Pascoe is the M.F. Carpenter Professor of English at the University of Iowa. She has written about dead birds, over-achieving readers, and Napoleon’s penis. Her most recent book, The Sarah Siddons Audio Files, describes her attempt to hear a voice that thrilled listeners before the advent of recording technology. She is currently writing about Japanese versions of Wuthering Heights. For more information about her work please visit www.judithpascoe.com
Image: Detail from a Victorian display case filled with 100s of hummingbird, London Museum of Natural History.
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Antlered Guinea Pig or Rat Gaff Taxidermy Class with Rogue Taxidermist Katie Innamorato
Sunday, January 5
Time: 12 – 7 PM
Admission: $185
***Tickets must be pre-purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/534564
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
*** Offsite: Morbid Anatomy Museum (New Space) , 424 A 3rd Avenue ( Corner of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue ), 11215 Brooklyn , NY
Subway: 4th Av - 9th Street (R - F - G)
This class will teach students the basics of small mammal taxidermy and incorporate rogue/gaff elements. Each student will be provided with a specimen and little sculpted antlers. They will learn how to mix and match parts and how to secure pieces onto their mount. We will make armatures and learn how to carve their own head forms. Students encouraged to bring in any props they may want to dress the animal up in. Everything will be provided and each student will leave with his or her own finished mount. (If rats are used student will be shown how to properly and safely remove the tail bones and meat completely.)
Katie Innamorato, artist and Rogue Taxidermist, is a member of the M.A.R.T. or Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. She is professionally and self taught in taxidermy; winning awards and ribbons every year at the GSTA. She explores the commercial relationships between animals and our society and her work questions the idea of bringing nature inside. She also examines the cyclical connections between life and death, and growth and decomposition. As with all M.A.R.T. members she adheres to strict ethical guidelines when acquiring specimens. She uses roadkill, scrap skins from other taxidermists and the garment industry, and donated skins to create her artworks; almost every part of the animal is utilized.
Her work has been featured recently on the new Science Channel show, "Odd Folks Home," on the hit Science and Discovery Channel TV show, "Oddities," and exhibited at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, CA.
Her website and blogs-
www.afterlifeanatomy.com
www.afterlifeanatomy.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/afterlifeanatomy
www.etsy.com/shop/afterlifeanatomy
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Anthropomorphic/Naturalistic Squirrel Taxidermy Class with Divya Anantharaman
A class with Morbid Anatomy Library Taxidermist in Residence Divya Anantharaman
Date: Sunday, January 12
Time: 12:00 PM
Admission: $250.00
*TICKETS MUST BE PRE-ORDERED AT http://squirrelytaxidermy.brownpapertickets.com/
***Offsite at The Fabricoscope (41 Willow Place, #2, 11201 Brooklyn) (MAP)
Subway: Court St, Borough Hall, Jay St. Metro Tech.
In this intimate, hands-on class (limited to only five students), we will study the nutty ways of the squirrel! Students will create a fully-finished classic squirrel mount in a natural sitting position. Students will learn everything involved in producing a finished mount - from initial preparation, hygiene and sanitary measures, to proper technique and dry preservation. The class will offer the option of creating a form through the age old technique of wrapping and carving a head, or using a pre-fabricated head and sculpting a body. There will also be a carcass casting demo, and explanation of how foam mannikins are made. The use of anatomical study, reference photos, and detailed observation will also be reviewed as important tools in recreating the natural poses and expressions that magically reanimate a specimen. A selection of naturalistic and anthropomorphic props will be provided, however, students are welcome to bring their own bases and accessories if something specific is desired. All other supplies will be provided for use in class.
Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.
Divya Anantharaman, one of the Morbid Anatomy Library's "taxidermists in residence," is a Brooklyn based artist whose taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with natural mythology and everyday oddities. After a journey filled with trial and error, numerous books, and an inspiring class (Sue Jeiven's popular Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class at Observatory!), she has found her calling in creating sickly sweet and sparkly critters. Beginning with mice and sparrows, her menagerie grew to include domestic cats, woodchucks, and deer. Recently profiled on Vice Fringes, the New York Observer, and other publications, she will also be appearing in the upcoming season of Oddities-and is definitely up to no good shenanigans. You can find out more at www.d-i-v-y-a.com.
Also, some technical notes:
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- We use NO harsh or dangerous chemicals.
- Everyone will be provided with gloves.
- All animals are disease free.
- Although there will not be a lot of blood or gore, a strong constitution is necessary; taxidermy is not for everyone
- All animals were already dead, nothing was killed for this class.
- Please do not bring any dead animals with you to the class.
Bunny Taxidermy Class with Rogue Taxidermist Katie Innamorato
Saturday, January 25th
Time: 12 – 6 PM
Admission: $300
***Tickets must be pre-purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/536313
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
*** Offsite: Morbid Anatomy Museum (New Space) , 424 A 3rd Avenue ( Corner of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue ), 11215 Brooklyn , NY
Subway: 4th Av - 9th Street (R - F - G)
This class will introduce students to the process and techniques behind more advanced basic small mammal taxidermy. Students will learn how to skin, prep, preserve, mount, and position the animal. Attention will be focused on how to properly split, turn, and position rabbit ears. Basic armatures will be used and custom made forms (made by me) will be provided. Students will learn how to make a custom body for their specimens using an old traditional taxidermy technique of wrapping a body. Using the carcass for reference, students will learn how to build up and craft the bodies. Students encouraged to bring in any props they may want to dress the animal up in. I will provide all specimens, materials, and tools for the class. Each student will leave with his or her own finished mount.
Katie Innamorato, artist and Rogue Taxidermist, is a member of the M.A.R.T. or Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. She is professionally and self taught in taxidermy; winning awards and ribbons every year at the GSTA. She explores the commercial relationships between animals and our society and her work questions the idea of bringing nature inside. She also examines the cyclical connections between life and death, and growth and decomposition. As with all M.A.R.T. members she adheres to strict ethical guidelines when acquiring specimens. She uses roadkill, scrap skins from other taxidermists and the garment industry, and donated skins to create her artworks; almost every part of the animal is utilized.
Her work has been featured recently on the new Science Channel show, "Odd Folks Home," on the hit Science and Discovery Channel TV show, "Oddities," and exhibited at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, CA.
Her website and blogs-
www.afterlifeanatomy.com
www.afterlifeanatomy.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/afterlifeanatomy
www.etsy.com/shop/afterlifeanatomy
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