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...)

[catsparx.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

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

[ethereal-lad.livejournal.com]

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

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

What? No Cthulhu?

[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.