Observatory (2009 - 2013) was a collaborative arts and presentation space located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York adjacent to The Morbid Anatomy Library and founded by Morbid Anatomy creator Joanna Ebenstein.
Observatory was the home base of "Morbid Anatomy Presents," a series of lectures and events which seek to explore the interstices of art and medicine, death and culture. The lecture part of this series welcomed a mix of museum professionals, professors, rogue scholars, artists and autodidacts to give illustrated talks on arcana ranging from taxidermy to European medical collections, dissection and masturbation, to antique horror theatre, Santa Muerte to the Victorian love affair with death. The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy offered classes and workshops instructing students in workshops such as anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy, anthropomorphic insect shadowboxes, Victorian hair art jewelry, and drawing from real anatomical specimens.
Image: Sue Jeiven teaching her often sold out class Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy
