I am thrilled to welcome a 1868 cabinet containing 18 stunning song birds. Preserved with arsenic, their plumage retains exceptional colours, even though the case is 150 years old. At least twice a year we, visit Hofmann’s Flea Market on Gore street in Perth, Ontario. Eli Hoffman, with the face of Mr. Dressup and the calm demeanour of Mr. Rogers, always has darling trinkets and treasures to offer. This case is of exceptional museum quality and will probably be the last piece I buy before I start grad school in the fall. 18 new creatures would quiet even Noah’s obsessive tendencies.

Peacock donated by Heather Goodchild

Recently I was approached by Heather Goodchild Toronto Textile artist and my neighbour about a donation of a standing Peacock. She had purchased the Peacock from a prop house to display in her studio, however her cats were opposed to this decorating decision. Goodcild found me in Duffrien Grove Park walking the Colonel. Less than twelve minuets later, I was carrying the prized beast up our stairs and to his new home in the CZC. I have always wanted a peacock and came very close to acquiring one two years prior but the elusive feathers slipped out of grasp. I was told by Goodchild that when she purchased the mount  it was headless and the seller had to rummage around for several minuets before he found the head somewhere in another room and stuck the head back on top of the neck.

An old fashioned summer road trip up north has left me tan and with a new creature to add to the menagerie. Christopher was charming enough to bestow a coiled preserved snake to The CZC. Species identification unknown. Expert knowledge welcomed.

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.