Mythic Creatures at the Museum of Natural History

[ellen_datlow]

I've been meaning to get over the the exhibit before it closes in early January and did so today. It was expensive: $18.50 and you were supposed to pay "what you wish" for the general entrance fee--I paid $1, mostly because I was so outraged at the price for the special exhibit.

Anyway, it was all worth it. We were a bit early for our scheduled time so stopped in the dinosaur hall, somewhere I hadn't been for a few years. I love being able to actually touch a dinosaur bone (some were there for touching) and to see the beasts close up. There are also some Charles Knight paintings and sketches among the big guys.

The Mythic creatures exhibit was very cool. Crowded because it was Sunday and Thanksgiving weekend at that. One of my companions at the show complained that the Jersey Devil wasn't there and that the Yeti was given short shrift. I just remembered that they didn't have Medusa (although they mentioned her in describing Pegasus's feats. I'm sure there were other missing creatures but it was still a fine exhibit. There was even a "feejee mermaid" looking a bit ratty. And some short films on dragons (western and asian).

Next museum exhibit I want to attend is the Kara Walker at the Whitney, on until early February.

Comments

[lagilman]

I went to see that a while ago (thankfully on a lovely afternoon, so it wasn't too crowded) and thought the same as you -- great exhibit, regretably overpriced, and having it feed out into the dino halls was brilliant planning.

(my icon may seem a bit familiar...)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, he/she looks very familiar :-).

[catsparx.livejournal.com]

D'oh! I so wanted to see that but we ran out of time.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

It's in Sydney until January 6th, if you can get there!

[catsparx.livejournal.com]

ooh! I can indeed get there. Ta for the tip!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yup. Here it is:
link info on Sydney exhibition (http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythiccreatures/collaborators_australia.php)

[catsparx.livejournal.com]

Neat! I know where that is!

Actually . . .

[(Anonymous)]

Actually it's in New York until Jan 6. It will eventually travel to Sydney, but not for another couple years most likely. So don't go try to see it there now.

Re: Actually . . .

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Wow that's weird...the link on the Museum of Natural history site implies that the exhibit is simultaneously at the Sydney museum.

[cinriter.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking I remember something about the "feejee mermaid" being acquired from the late great American Dime Museum...

Drat, I wish this would come to L.A. I've heard so many great things about it.

[kaaronwarren.livejournal.com]

I'll have to ask around about the feejee mermaid. I wonder where she originated?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

You mean where the idea originated? Sailors in Fiji bought them. But yes, ask around --monkey skulls and fish bodies.

[kaaronwarren.livejournal.com]

I know there are some sea monsters in Fijian mythology. Will check it out next time I go to Suva library.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

The placard about her said it's thought she was burnt in a fire and destroyed but that other people said the one they have in the exhibit was acquired from some museum--so maybe that's where she IS from.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

I loved that exhibit too. My favorites were the kraken and that giant ape thingy!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Didn't you love the tentacles sticking up out of the floors? I touched one and was a bit freaked that it was spongy. I wasn't expecting that.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

I wasn't expecting sponginess either -- but I was hoping!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I jumped :-)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I loved the Narwhal horn they had--that was totally cool.

[ethereal-lad.livejournal.com]

I love Kara Walker! She's my muse. You'll have to report on that.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I will definitely.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

What? No Cthulhu?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Alas no.

[booksbynight.livejournal.com]

I had passed on it during my recent trip to NYC, not only was I pressed for time, but I was also put off by the price.

I may change my mind if I'm in town next month. But I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

If you have the money it IS worth it. And go check out the dinos!!! They're fantastic!