[NHCOLL-L:4206] Displaying taxidermy specimens in contemporary artworks

[Heather.Thorwald at dmns.org]

I am posting this inquiry for a colleague from the AAM Registrars
Committee.  She is from the art museum world and needs advice on
displaying taxidermy specimens (specifically water buffalo from the
Indian subcontinent and made within the last decade).  Please contact
her directly if you can help.

Heather Thorwald 
Registrar 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science 


Dear All,

I'm looking for some examples of how museums may have dealt with
displaying taxidermied specimens that were created outside of the United
States that are part of contemporary artworks.  

My specific concern is that if the specimens were created using toxic
materials (arsenic, formaldehyde, chrome sulfates, etc.), how do you
protect the viewing public from these artworks?  Should they be enclosed
in cases (where possible)? Is keeping them out of reach of the public,
either on platforms with barriers or up on walls enough?  I am inclined
to think yes to the cases and no to the platforms/placement out of reach
solution, but maybe I'm being overly cautious?

If you've had to deal with a similar situation within the past decade or
so, especially with specimens coming from Asia, please let me know how
you handled the safe display of such objects in your galleries.

Many thanks!

Clare 

Clare McGowan
Collections Manager and Registrar
Asia Society Museum
725 Park Ave
New York, NY 10021-5088  U.S.A. 
E: clarem at asiasoc.org 
T: 212 327 9231
F: 212 517 7246
W: www.asiasociety.org


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