Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy - Brossura

Milgrom, Melissa

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0547395701 ISBN 13: 9780547395708

Casa editrice: Mariner Books, 2011

Riassunto

Taxidermy is everywhere these days—from hip restaurants to posh clothing stores. Yet few realize that behind these "stuffed" animals is a world of intrepid hunterexplorers, eccentric naturalists, and museum artisans, all devoted to the paradoxical pursuit of creating the illusion of life.

Into this subculture of intensely passionate animal lovers ventures journalist Melissa Milgrom, whose trek stretches from the family workshop of the last chief taxidermist for the American Museum of Natural History to the studio where an English sculptor preserves the animals for Damien Hirst’s most disturbing artwork. Milgrom tags along with a Canadian bear trapper and three-time World Taxidermy Champion as he re-creates an extinct Irish elk using DNA studies and Paleolithic cave art for reference. She even picks up a scalpel and stuffs her own squirrel. Transformed from a curious onlooker to an empathetic participant, Milgrom takes us deep into the world of taxidermy and reveals its uncanny appeal.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

"Hilarious but respectful." —Washington Post

"Engrossing." —New Yorker

"[A] delightful debut ... Milgrom has in Still Life opened up a whole world to readers." —Chicago Tribune

"[A] literate, fascinating history." —People

"If you’re an outdoorsman, museum-goer, or a pragmatic animal lover, find this book, grab a shopping bag and stuff it." —Yankton Press & Dakotan

"An absorbing tour." —Boston Globe

"Milgrom’s eye for detail and sense of humor makes Still Life an entertaining and educating look at this intriguing subculture." —Florida Times-Union

"Under Milgrom’s direction, readers may find themselves more interested in – and entertained by – the world of taxidermy than they thought imaginable." —Christian Science Monitor

"A delightful, illuminating journey through a passionate subculture that prizes the natural world (even if nature's inhabitants are dead when taxidermists work their magic on them)." —Shelf Awareness

An "absorbing blend of bright-eyed reportage and hands-on participation...a genuine appreciation for a true art form, an enthusiasm the author imparts with style in this substantial study." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Dalla quarta di copertina:

"Who knew a book about dead animals could be so lively? This is a wonderful look at a quirky, passionate, sometimes fanatical subculture." —A.J. Jacobs, Author of The Know-It-All

Taxidermy is everywhere these days—from hip restaurants to posh clothing stores. Yet few realize that behind these "stuffed" animals is a world of intrepid hunter-explorers, eccentric naturalists, and gifted museum artisans, all devoted to the paradoxical pursuit of creating the illusion of life.

Into this subculture of intensely passionate animal lovers ventures journalist Melissa Milgrom, whose journey stretches from the family workshop of the last chief taxidermist for the American Museum of Natural History to the studio where an English sculptor preserves the animals for Damien Hirst's most disturbing artworks. Milgrom tags along with a Canadian bear trapper and three-time World Taxidermy Champion as he re-creates an extinct Irish elk using DNA studies and Paleolithic cave art for reference. She even picks up a scalpel and stuffs her own squirrel. Transformed from a curious onlooker to an empathetic participant, Milgrom takes us deep into the world of taxidermy and reveals its uncanny appeal.

"Milgrom has pulled back the curtain on a surprising and intense culture within which meat and animals--both dead and living--are very real." —The New York Times

Melissa Milgrom has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, the Daily Beast and Salon, among other publications; she has also produced radio segments for public radio. Visit www.melissamilgrom.com.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Mariner Books
• Data di pubblicazione: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0547395701
• ISBN 13: 9780547395708
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 285