Lives of Specimens • Parkeology
Live Storytelling + INstallation 4.28.2017 San Diego Natural History Museum
After viewing mountain lions stilled in eternal prowls, grizzly bears sniffing the air with frozen noses, and hawks mid-scream, children have a common line of questioning when visiting the displays at theNAT. “Is it real? Are they alive?” Yes, the 7.4 million specimens that exist in theNAT’s research collections are real, and at one point they were alive. A third question arises: “how did you get them?” Before they were poised in glass vitrines, nestled in wooden shelves, submerged in alcohol, or pinned to paper backing, the biological specimens that comprise the Museum's collections went through a complex journey.
Behind each labeled specimen lies a story about the complex dynamic between humans, animals, and the processes of time. Parkeology presented an evening with the biologists and staff at theNAT to share intimate and unexpected perspectives on record keeping of lifeforms.
Production:
Creative Director: Kate Clark
Creative Advising + Production: Robert Rutherford
Video Installation: Lucas Coffin
Video asssistants: Doug Hammen,
Farshid Bazmandegan
Vitrine Design + Fabrication: Per Kefgen
Video: Ren Ebel, Kate Clark
Performers:
Judy Carlstrom: preparator
Dr. Michael Wall: preparator
Maria Gonzalez Ceron: preparator
Michiko Ogawa: sho, clarinet, electronics
Judith Hamann: cello
Jim Melli: storyteller
Suzanne Hoyem: storyteller
Robert Rutherford: storyteller
San Diego Art Institute Support:
Nick Lesley
Marina Grize
Lissa Corona
Parkeologists:
Erik Trayvon Benson
Minxuan Lin
Jeszi Mcpeak
Louise Hickman
Abra Olivier
Elizabeth Sutton
TheNAT Support:
Michael Field
Dr. Michael Wall
Suzanne Hoyem
Robert Rutherford
Susan Arter
Dr. Tom Demere
Lauren Marino
Dr. Philip Unitt
Layla Aerne Hains
Bradley Tsalyuk
April Tellez
Judy Gradwohl
Judy Carlstrom
Beth Redmond-Jones
Dr. Bradford Hollingsworth
Rebecca Handelsman
Dr. Jon Rebman
Christopher Plouffe
Jim Berrian
Judy Carlstrom
Katie Amarillas
Alexis McKee
Project Wildlife Support:
Aireo Shipman
Linda King
Justine Matthews
Maria Gonzalez Ceron
Frederick Addesso
Thanks to:
Joseph Yorty
USD Department of Art and Architecture
Samuel Dunscombe
Susan Myrland
School for Creative Careers
Save Starlight