Re-Presenting Taxidermy: Contemporary Art Interventions in Natural History Museums

Most natural history museums in Europe and North America were established during the late nineteenth century with the aim of preserving and developing a collection of botanical, geological and zoological specimens to facilitate research in the natural sciences and at the same time educate the general public. Museum curators made use of taxonomy to organise scientific collections, a method that suited remains of living organisms that did not easily decompose, such as dried leaves and animal skeletons. Animal displays often made use of taxidermy. Attempts at a more realistic display of animals in their natural habitat took the form of the diorama. While it was popular at the time, it is perceived as problematic today in its reference to the heroic hunter who collected 'big game' in the colonies. Moreover, today it also raises environmental and sustainability concerns as well as issues of animal welfare. Modern publics do not see such objects as mere specimens, but as once live animals that are often members of endangered species. Hence, the museums discussed opted to expose their displays to new interpretations by inviting contemporary artists to intervene in their permanent display, highlighting different perspectives on the problematic historical collections. In so doing they also made it possible for the public to re-engage with their collections and address contemporary debates differently. The thesis explores four institutions with Natural History collections which invited contemporary artists to respond to their collection: The Welcome Collection, London; the Manchester Museum, Manchester; the Natural History Museum, London; and the Horniman Museum, London. It argues that artists' interventions in each can be viewed as exposing, challenging, and questioning the ethical grounds on which museums have justified the use of animal bodies in their Natural History displays