Part of the Ravishing Beasts exhibit at MOV

“Strangely alluring” is the way MOV (Museum of Vancouver) describes its latest, provocative exhibit, Ravishing Beasts, an investigation into taxidermy that displays—for the first time in decades—the museum’s extensive taxidermy collection.

(Don’t worry: No animals were harmed to create the exhibit. Most of the pieces were donated to MOV by Vancouver residents between 1894 – 1950.)

It’s an apt description, because Ravishing Beasts is both strange and alluring. Strange, to contemporary eyes, because taxidermy is the act of mounting and displaying dead animals (I found looking into the eyes of many of these creatures downright eerie). Alluring because the animals themselves are beautiful and the taxidermist has, in many cases, captured nature in motion.

These eyes really got to me. They actually seem resigned to being trod upon.

Decaying artifacts: the taxidermy that couldn't be saved.

Ravishing Beasts challenges viewers by confronting the ethical issues involved in displaying dead animals—particularly as trophies or “monster” creations (check out the “Jackalope,” a part-jackrabbit, part-antelope created by a Wyoming taxidermist in 1930)—and by staging the exhibit as contemporary art.

Beasts actually includes a few pieces of purposeful animals-as-art, including work from Vancouver artist George Vergette, and this unsettling piece, Zebra (Horse III) 2009:

Zebra (Horse III) 2009 by Afke Golsteijn and Floris Bakker

History-lovers, nature-lovers, art-lovers, families and kids—Ravishing Beasts has something for everyone. Don’t miss this compelling exhibit, open from October 22, 2009 – February 28, 2010 at the iconic Museum of Vancouver.

And when you do go, please come back and share your reviews!