Wunderkammer keepers

By David Pescovitz at 8:47 am Monday, Jan 3

I've posted previously about the amazing work of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists and member Sarina Brewer. I'm delighted that the mainstream media has finally gotten wind of these curiosity-creators. From a long profile of the group in today's New York Times:

Though they admire the tradition of modern wildlife taxidermy, the Rogue Taxidermists are particularly drawn to the early history. "Prior to zoos, prior to museums, prior to galleries, we had these cabinets of wonder, these collections of art, trinkets, oddities," (member Robert) Marbury said. Then, with the rise of natural history museums, "they all sort of broke apart."

Now, the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists is hoping to honor that early tradition and celebrate the "showmanship of oddities," as the group's Web site puts it.

Link (free reg. required)