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Event
Ermine Taxidermy Class with Divya
In this hands-on class, we will study the wiley ermine! Also known as a white weasel (they are actually brown in the summer, and turn white in the winter), this small creature used to be harvested by the hundreds for the plush robes of royalty-but not so much anymore. It has become less profitable since they are small animals (and do not yield lots of fur like the more popular fox or coyote)-so much that the ones used in class were collected from a game farm and tannery downsizing business and discarding old stock of unwanted frozen animals. Students will create a fully-finished mount in a naturalistic or anthropomorphic position. Students will learn everything involved in producing a finished mount - from initial preparation, hygiene and sanitary measures, to proper technique and dry preservation. The class will teach how to create a wrapped body form using the ermine's own body as reference. Students will have the choice of cleaning and reconstructing the skull, or carving one using the natural one as reference. The use of anatomical study, reference photos, and detailed observation will also be reviewed as important tools in recreating the natural poses and expressions that magically reanimate a specimen. A selection of props will be provided, however, students are welcome to bring their own bases and accessories if something specific is desired. All other supplies will be provided for use in class.
Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.
Divya Anantharaman is a Brooklyn based artist whose taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with natural mythology and everyday oddities. After a journey filled with experimentation, numerous books, and an inspiring class (Sue Jeiven's Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class at Observatory!) and other professional training, she has found her calling in creating sickly sweet and sparkly critters. Beginning with mice and sparrows, her menagerie grew to include domestic cats, woodchucks, and deer. Recently profiled on Vice Fringes, the New York Times, and other publications, she will also be appearing in the upcoming season of Oddities-and is definitely up to no good shenanigans.
www.d-i-v-y-a.com
Also, some technical notes:
We use NO harsh or dangerous chemicals.
All materials are provided, including gloves and sterilized equipment.
Student will leave with a fully finished mount, and the knowledge to create small taxidermy pieces on their own.
All animals are disease free.
Although there will not be a lot of blood or gore, a certain level of maturity is necessary.
All animals were already dead, nothing is killed for this class. Animals used in this class are discards from farms, the feeder/pet food industry, naturally deceased, or discards from the food service industry.
Please do not bring any raw dead animals with you to the class.
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LocationFabriscope (View)
41 Willow Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 0 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
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