The San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) is pleased to host “Curiouser and Curiouser: a night of Taxidermy and Oddities” featuring renowned taxidermists Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato on Friday, February 17, 2017. The event will take place at San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 from 6pm-10pm. Cost is $10, free for members to SDAI.
Join SDAI for a celebration of wonder and curiosity, art and science, to celebrate the release of a fascinating new book on the art of taxidermy by New York taxidermists Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato. This illuminating and enchanting celebration is for everyone—makers, collectors, beginners, the more experienced, and anyone who has ever been curious about this interesting and obscure art. In their new book Stuffed Animals: A Modern Guide to Taxidermy, published by The Countryman Press (W.W. Norton), Divya and Katie demystify the practice of taxidermy, shatter stereotypes, and make taxidermy accessible to all. Committed to sustainable sourcing and wildlife conservation, the authors are part of the vanguard of young taxidermists who bring new life to this age-old craft.
For this event, both artists will be doing live, in-depth taxidermy demos, have a live Q&A, and will have the honor of presenting keynote speaker and SDAI favorite Dr. Paul Koudounaris. Peruse the wares of oddities vendors (ranging from taxidermists to bone bondage wear to curios vendors), artists, and fellow taxidermists, take a selfie in the wearable taxidermy photo booth, give your taste buds an adventure with wild game edibles and carnal cocktails, and enjoy live music by local band Gloomsday and DJ Ana Brown. Copies of Divya & Katie’s book will be for sale and the authors are available for signing as you mingle with other lovers of natural history. As an added bonus, attendees can do live dissections of sheep eyeballs, courtesy of the Fleet Science Center. Attendees will have a chance to win taxidermy mounts made by the artists valued at up to $400, and all ticket purchasers will receive a surprise gift by Divya and Katie!
Schedule of events:
6-7pm-music, drinks, book signing, vendor/artist tables
7-8pm-opening taxidermy lecture - Tails from the Crypt by Dr. Paul Koudounaris
8-9pm-taxidermy demos
9-10pm-performance by Gloomsday, book signing, vendor/artist tables
Confirmed Vendors/Artists:
Memento Mori LA
Little Dame
Ave Rose
Christopher Polentz
Colette Copeland
Fleet Science Center
About Divya & Katie:
Divya Anantharaman is a New York City taxidermist whose practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with art and science. She has won multiple professional awards for her work, and regularly teaches the art of taxidermy at museums, galleries, universities, and shops across the world. Her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walters Art Museum, and she is currently the Taxidermist in Residence at The Morbid Anatomy Museum and Owner of Friends Forever Taxidermy.
Katie Innamorato is a professionally-trained taxidermy artist who teaches all over the United States. She teamed up with The Field Museum for an educational video on Brain Scoop, has been featured on The Discovery Channel TV series “Oddities”, and is profiled in the book Taxidermy Art. She has won numerous professional awards for her work. Katie currently lives in New York.
About the Tails from the Crypt lecture:
Author and occult expert Dr. Paul Koudounaris narrates the bizarre history of animal ghosts and apparitions, presenting a slideshow based around fully documented cases. Phantom animals have been known throughout history, and deserve to be as much a part of ghost lore as their human counterparts. Hear about the ghost of a bratty talking mongoose that haunted a family on the Isle of Man in the 1930s. And a red eyed, glowing hound that mocked a terrified English priest. As for cat ghosts? Sure thing! A famous headless one ran through walls at will in a Manchester, UK home. And it turns out animal ghosts aren't all bad--there are good ones too, like the ghostly dog that appeared in a New Mexico train station to prevent an impending accident, or the phantom cat that saved a man's life on a subway in Brooklyn. Heck, one of the most famous animal ghosts comes from right here in Southern California!