“Ravishing Beasts”

The Museum of Vancouver explores the world of taxidermy with “Ravishing Beasts”, on display until February 28, 2010. The exhibit features pieces from the museum’s natural history collection that have not been shown for half a century and were acquired mainly by Vancouver residents from 1894 to 1950. Educational vignettes round out the show along with displays of contemporary art from the likes of Vancouver artist George Vergette and French artist Pascal Bernier. “This show gives us an opportunity to question the legacy, current value, and future relevance of taxidermy,” says guest curator Rachel Poliquin. Some must-see pieces include a giant moose with antlers spanning more than one and a half metres, as well as the now-extinct huia bird and the passenger pigeon.