Date: Sunday, January 11th
Time: 1 to 6pm
Admission: $200 ( Tickets Here )
Location: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 Third Avenue, 11215 Brooklyn
Lepus temperamentalus, more commonly known as the jackalope, is a crypto-zoological beast that combines elements of pygmy deer with those of killer rabbits. Existing specimens are exceptionally rare since they mate exclusively during winter electrical storms, and as a result, jackalope hunting licenses are only valid one day of the year – on June 31st. Given their scarcity, examples of the jackalope’s skeleton are almost never encountered, except in the most exotic cabinets of curiosities.
In this workshop, we will examine and practice all the necessary steps to produce a convincingly real osteological gaffe. Students will also have the opportunity to sculpt his/her own set of jackalope horns/antlers/fangs, according to personal vision. Additionally, pupils will learn the intricacies of skeleton articulation, from cleaning the bones, to posing and assembling the finished piece. All materials, including rabbit skeletons, wooden bases, superglue, sculpting epoxy, wire, calligraphy pens, and necessary tools will be provided. Students will leave the class with a magnificent, “lifelike” jackalope skeleton mounted on a wooden plaque.
Wilder Duncan is an artist whose work puts a modern-day spin on the genre of Vanitas still life. Although formally trained as a realist painter at Wesleyan University, he has had a lifelong passion for, and interest in, natural history. Self-taught rogue taxidermist and professional specimen preparator, Wilder worked for several years at The Evolution Store creating, repairing, and restoring objects of natural historical interest such as taxidermy, fossils, seashells, minerals, insects, tribal sculptures, and articulated skeletons both animal and human. Wilder now works on creating new pieces for future exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History and continues to do work for private collectors, giving a new life to old mounts, and new smiles to toothless skulls.
