In the heart of The Field Museum, two majestic African elephants, crafted by Carl and Delia Akeley, have stood proudly since 1909. These masterpieces of taxidermy, known as the Fighting African Elephants, have captivated visitors for over a century. But what does it take to preserve such historical artifacts for future generations?
When Carl Akeley first prepared these elephants, he faced numerous challenges. The smaller elephant, in particular, has shown signs of cracking along its edges. Initially, it was thought that Akeley tried to make the elephant appear larger, but it’s now believed that the damage occurred during the skinning process. This was Akeley’s first attempt, and he had to contend with harsh weather conditions and the threat of decomposition.
Today, museums use advanced techniques to preserve their collections. These include controlling environmental factors like light, temperature, and humidity, as well as pest management and strategic storage. However, the Akeley elephants present a unique challenge due to their continuous display for over a century.
Recently, The Field Museum enlisted a team of conservators to assess the condition of the elephants. George Dante, a renowned taxidermist and founder of Wildlife Preservations, is part of this team. He explains that they meticulously examine every inch of the elephants, looking for cracks, delaminations, and structural damage.
One of the significant issues identified is the loosening of the trunk and the cracking of the skin, particularly around the ears. The internal structure, made of wire lath and plaster, has also shown signs of wear. To address these issues, conservators may use x-rays to understand the internal structure better and apply techniques to relax and repair the skin.
With modern technology like photos, videos, and 3D modeling, one might wonder why so much effort is put into preserving the original specimens. The answer lies in the unique experience and historical significance they offer. Being in the presence of these elephants is a visceral experience that cannot be replicated by digital means.
Moreover, these elephants are not just taxidermy specimens; they are works of art. Carl Akeley’s innovative methods involved creating intricate armatures and sculpting the skin to achieve a lifelike appearance. This artistry makes them invaluable cultural artifacts, akin to the Sistine Chapel of taxidermy.
John Janelli, a former president of the National Taxidermist Association, emphasizes the importance of conserving these elephants. He argues that preserving them is as crucial as conserving any form of art. Akeley’s work demonstrated that art and taxidermy could merge to create something extraordinary, and maintaining these pieces ensures they continue to inspire future generations.
Conservation and preservation, while related, serve different purposes. Preservation aims to keep artifacts intact for future study, while conservation involves active intervention to prevent further deterioration. By conserving the Akeley elephants, we ensure they remain a source of inspiration and education for years to come.
In conclusion, the Akeley elephants are more than just museum exhibits; they are a testament to the intersection of art, science, and history. Through careful conservation efforts, we can ensure that these magnificent creatures continue to educate and inspire for another century.
Research the taxidermy techniques used by Carl Akeley and compare them with modern methods. Prepare a presentation highlighting the evolution of taxidermy, focusing on the challenges and innovations in preserving large specimens like the Akeley elephants.
Engage in a simulation exercise where you manage the environmental conditions of a museum exhibit. Adjust factors such as light, temperature, and humidity to see how they affect the preservation of artifacts. Discuss the outcomes and propose strategies for optimal preservation.
Analyze a case study on the conservation efforts for the Akeley elephants. Identify the key challenges faced by conservators and the techniques used to address them. Present your findings in a report, emphasizing the importance of conservation in preserving historical artifacts.
Participate in a debate on the value of preserving original specimens versus creating digital replicas. Consider the educational, cultural, and historical significance of each approach. Develop arguments for both sides and engage in a structured debate with your peers.
Create a project that explores the intersection of art and science in taxidermy. This could be a visual art piece, a written essay, or a multimedia presentation. Highlight how Carl Akeley’s work exemplifies this intersection and its impact on museum exhibits.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Oh, now it’s not going. (male)
Just always convert. Whoop, wrong way. (male)
There’s a big elevation change, so half of it was filmed. Bye, here we go. Whoa! ♪ (Emily Graslie)
Carl and Delia Akeley’s Fighting African Elephants were on display at The Field Museum in 1909 and are still in Stanley Field Hall 109 years later. We made a video in 2013 about how they were prepared. We’ll leave a link in the description. I want to focus on something I mentioned about the smaller elephant. Carl’s elephant is cracking along the edges, presumably because he tried to make it appear larger than it was. We no longer think that. It’s more likely a result of something that happened during the skinning process. This was their first one, and a learning curve along with inclement weather resulted in an uphill battle against decomposition as they struggled to work quickly. The hide was saved, but it sustained some damage. Today, museums employ a variety of strategies to preserve their specimens and artifacts, from controlling environmental factors like light, temperature, and humidity, to pest management, special storage, and rotating objects out of displays. The Akeleys’ elephants provide a different challenge. They’ve been on continuous display for over a century, and 100 years of exposure to the elements can take a toll. The Field Museum recently hired a team of conservators to assess the Akeleys’ elephants and talked to them about why it’s so important to conserve artifacts like these for future generations. We’re going to go over every little nook and cranny, looking for cracks, delaminations of skin, and any kinds of damages. (Emily)
This is taxidermist George Dante, the founder of Wildlife Preservations. What are some of the things you’ve noticed during your evaluation? What we look for is existing cracks that are immediately visible with no fill in it, and we look for older repaired areas. If you look here, you see this has actually been filled. We look for structural damage. We’re looking at the piece, and this section of the trunk is actually a bit loose. We can take an x-ray to see what the structure is on the inside and better assess how to stabilize it. What’s going on with this ear? So, as taxidermy ages, a lot of things happen. It dries out, but you also get these environmental factors that contribute to its deterioration. The skin has cracked in several places, the edge of the ear is cracked, and the skin has pulled away from the armature. There is a wire lath and plaster armature inside. You see the movement in there. That is a big problem. We’re going to assess it and see if we can relax the skin, glue this back down, and then repair these cracks. Something like this, there’s a seam here that’s been repaired. How long do these repairs last? It’s hard to tell how long, but most of the people who repaired these did submit documentation on their repairs. So, sometimes we do have great notes to know a couple of years or several years. It really depends. You can’t really know for sure based on the current technologies used to fix them if this is going to be a ten-year fix or a hundred-year fix. (George)
Correct, because it’s skin, it’s something organic, it’s unstable. We try to use the very best materials and methods, and we hope that it’s going to outlast us, but we don’t know because it all depends on the stability of the piece and how it’s cared for from this point on. (Emily)
George shared with me some of the other parts of the elephants they’re assessing and the challenges they’ll face in repairing them, and it got me thinking. Between photos, videos, and 3D scanning and modeling, why are we putting all of this effort into preserving the original specimens? It’s a very visceral experience to be this close to these, and the zoo just isn’t the same, and a video is nothing compared to this. Aside from that, these are historical artifacts. I mean, Carl Akeley was Carl Akeley, so to have these and the method he used, these are as good as it gets. I mean, this is the Sistine Chapel of taxidermy. These were direct sculptures, so he would build this elaborate iron and wood armature, cover it with wire lath and plaster, and then mount the skin over the top of that directly, and then inject this stucco into it and actually sculpt the wrinkles from the outside. It’s incredible, so if you look at these, that’s what actually gives this elephant that softness. If you look at the wrinkles, they’re very supple. It’s very natural-looking. Our taxidermy methods could never allow you to do this. It’s the work of a genius sculptor. Wouldn’t anybody want to preserve these, keep them, and make sure they’re here for the next generation and the generation after that? (Emily)
This is John Janelli. He’s the advisory staff for Conservation Force. And you’re the former president of the National Taxidermist Association. Wow, we got a celebrity in the house. So, why is it important to conserve these elephants now today? They’re over a hundred years old. They visibly have some signs of aging and wear. Why is it important that they’re still around for the next hundred years? Not only is it important, Emily, it’s as important as conserving any form of art today. Akeley showed the world that art and taxidermy must come together to do things like this. Because his ultimate goal was not just in recreating, not just in portraying the truth of nature, but doing it in such a permanent style. And a hundred years for any mounted animal to be with us is extraordinary. (Emily)
This touches on how conservation and preservation aren’t exactly the same thing. We preserve artifacts and specimens to keep them for future study and research, like how Carl and Delia preserved these elephants for us a century ago. But the conservation of these objects is a necessary intervention involving repairs to ensure they won’t further deteriorate so they can continue contributing to society. If we think of the Akeleys’ elephants as sculptures or works of art, then you could argue that their purpose lies in remaining on display, as John said, to inspire current and future generations and be admired for the next century. We’ll get you taken care of. He’ll be okay. Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education. ♪ (Emily)
It still has remnants on it.
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Art – The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. – The art exhibition at the university gallery showcased a range of contemporary pieces that explored the intersection of technology and nature.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and environments to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect. – The environmental studies department is conducting a research project on the conservation of wetlands to maintain biodiversity.
Preservation – The act of maintaining, protecting, or keeping something in existence, often referring to historical sites or artifacts. – The preservation of ancient murals in the cave was a collaborative effort between art historians and environmental scientists.
Elephants – Large mammals of the family Elephantidae, known for their intelligence, social behavior, and significant role in their ecosystems. – The documentary highlighted the crucial role elephants play in seed dispersal, which is vital for forest conservation.
Taxidermy – The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals with lifelike effect, often for display or study. – The museum’s taxidermy exhibit provided insight into the historical techniques used to preserve specimens for educational purposes.
Techniques – Methods or skills needed to bring about a certain result, often used in the context of artistic or scientific processes. – The workshop focused on advanced painting techniques that can be used to create realistic environmental landscapes.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often examined through artifacts, documents, and other sources. – The history of environmental art reveals how artists have responded to ecological challenges over the centuries.
Culture – The social behavior, norms, and practices found in human societies, often reflected in art, traditions, and shared values. – The course explored how indigenous cultures use art to express their relationship with the natural world.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits, often within formal settings like schools and universities. – Environmental education programs aim to raise awareness about sustainability and conservation among students.
Challenges – Difficulties or obstacles that require effort and determination to overcome, often encountered in various fields of study or practice. – One of the main challenges in art conservation is finding materials that do not harm the original artwork while ensuring its longevity.
