I have been proclaimed a rule breaker by Nadja Sayej, host of Artstars* and Toronto socialite, in the latest issue of Sketch magazine. To find out what rule I dare to break, pick up the latest copy of this national quarterly. Yo can find The CZC and rule # Three on page 18
It Kills & patrons of the arts
The Contemporary Zoological Conservatory is delighted to annouce It Kills will be shooting a music video for their self titled debut album. Lisa Lipton, Solomon Vromans and Will Robinson, long time collaborators formerly of I See Rowboats will enchant the neighbours and rouse the dead with their evocatively haunting music and hymnal howls.
from left, albino caribou, bald eagle, moose.
The new donations have been hung and the walls are slowly filling up. I still won’t be happy till a horse fills the floor space and a narwhal hangs from the ceiling.
2010 is the year of the moose on the CZC calendar. I was thrilled to receive a 19 point moose rack thoughtfully donated by Toronto Senior Art Director Niall Kelly and Production Director Melissa Johnston. The antlers originate from Fenelon Falls and have been welcomed in to our ungulate friendly collection. In the past 3 months, 3 moose specimens have been donated: One 4 foot rack of antlers, a taxidermied moose shoulder mount and the latest addition, the Fenelon Falls Rack.
From one Director to another, thank you.
I hate mice in the pantry but love them on a cashmere sweater.
In September I begin my Masters of Museum Studies and have jumped the gun on back to school shopping. I can not wait till my lapel adornment arrives. Take a gander at the fantastical trinkets of Amanda’s Autopsies.
Elephant Foot Stool
Bear Skin Rug
Every spring I count the days till the Christie antique show in Dundas Ontario. It is a perfect day for hunting and tanning. People wait at the gates like a stampede of spooked buffalos. This show did not disappoint.
Recently I had the pleasure to Sit down with Bill Clarke, Toronto art critic and editor of Magenta Magazine. Magenta is an international journal of visual art and in this issue explores death and art. We talked about the sudden abundance of taxidermy in contemporary art over roast chicken and cupcakes. Please have a look at the article it was a pure delight talking with Bill.
Cline Taxidermy
Tell Ken Cline your wish list and he makes dreams come true
A buffilo head for less than a months rent
The CZC went on the road and drove south, crossing the ominous American border for a field trip to New York State. We stumbled upon Cline Taxidermy in Belmont NY. Along a twisting rural road in the heart of draft horse country, an unassuming ranch-style house holds the creatures of the forest. The shop was large, full of local animals. Karen Cline gave us a tour, we talked moth prevention and prices. I think I just might have to place an order for half of a horse.
Dreams can come true, look at me babe I'm with you.
I am pleased to announce that I Morgan Mavis have been accepted to the University of Toronto’s Master of Museum Studies Program! I have been waiting with baited breath since I sent in my package in mid December and the wait was unbearable. Summers in London internship at the V&A here I come! Now I need to acquire a tweed high waisted skirt and a pair of heeled oxfords U of T won’t know what hit them.
Yann Martell talks with the CBC and National Post in the CZC
Author, Yann Martel spent the afternoon in the Conservatory having cookies, talking taxidermy and being interviewed by the CBC for a television spotlight. Martel’s new book Beatrice & Virgil explores taxidermy and the holocaust. Read More about Saskatoon’s darling in The Province and watch the interview on CBC.ca As well you can see the photo-shoot and interview in The National Post
Yann Martel The National Post Photo by Tyler Anderson