Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
QÜESTIONS - An Interview with Noah Scalin
Here at the Mütter Museum we are fortunate to have a collection that inspires artists and craftspeople the world over. In our Museum Store we carry some of their creations. From the cute and clever to the genuinely thought-provoking, we are pleased to offer a wide variety of interpretive work. It's a truly symbiotic relationship which benefits both artist and institution.
Since most of these folks are also really interesting people, we thought it would be fun to interview them. Our second QÜESTIONS interview features artist and graphic designer Noah Scalin. Noah is the creator of the Skull-A-Day project and author of the book SKULLS. Naturally, we carry Noah's book in the Mütter Museum Store, but we also have a small selection of the ACTUAL art pieces created during the famed 365 days of his project.
Noah has visited the Mütter Museum as a guest and also as a speaker during our 2009 Day of the Dead festival. More recently he visited us to complete a special temporary art installation: A skull made entirely of brain slices (the brain slices are a recent addition to the Mütter Museum's collection). See the youtube video of this exciting one-of-a-kind creation here. And watch this insightful interview with Noah by the Mütter Museum's curator, Anna Dhody.
Noah has even written a song inspired by the Mütter Museum. It's called "Enlarged Heart."
Now on to our QÜESTIONS:
Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
I’m an artist, graphic designer, and activist based in Richmond, Virginia.
In 2001 I started the socially conscious design and consulting firm Another Limited Rebellion, which works with wide range of organizations including many theaters in New York City.
I also started the Skull-A-Day project, which began as my personal creative project to make a unique skull image every day for a year and now has now progressed into its fourth year as an international community art project.
What do you think motivates your work?
The knowledge that life is extremely brief and that there are opportunities every day to create unique experiences that can bring some moment of discovery, and hopefully joy, to both myself and the people that encounter my work.
If your life was a book, what genre would it be?
Magical Realism. I like to live life as if anything is possible; and considering some of the strange things that have happened so far, it seems to be working.
What fictional character most resembles you and why?
I’d like to think I’m like Gomez Addams of The Addams family. He has a wonderful joie de vivre, is comfortable being different, is passionate about the things & people he loves (including the darker side of life), and has excellent fashion sense!
That said, I asked my friends what they thought and they said: The Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, Gargamel, Professor Snape, Captain Orlok from my own League of Space Pirates project, and myself! So take that how you will.
What non-fictional character most resembles you and why?
Well in a very literal sense there’s a guy here in Richmond that’s apparently my doppelganger and looks so much like me that even my own father said so. He’s also a graphic designer. I’m considering hiring him to go to events in my place to see if anyone notices.
What's your poison?
Tea, in all its forms. Iced or hot, green or black or white, I just can’t get enough of it.
What is the last song you had on repeat?
I recently discovered the wonderful “My Woman” by Al Bowlly, from 1932, which is the source of the sample used in 1997’s catchy “Your Woman” by White Town.
Name three things that scare you.
– People that prioritize money, stuff, and power over the health & wellbeing of others.
– People that only see things in terms of black & white dichotomies.
– Evil Robots
In your opinion, what is the greatest invention that has occurred in your lifetime?
The internet. I can barely remember how I got anything done without it!
If you saw a red door, what color would you paint it?
Black and white striped. Then you would think something very exciting is behind it, like maybe a pirate.
Direct attack or subterfuge?
I prefer direct subterfuge.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
Discovering that it has inspired others to be creative! I love finding out that people have made art or created their own daily project because of mine. My current favorite is being done by a friend who is a jeweler; she’s making a reliquary a week!
If you could influence human evolution, what do you think a good physical trait would be?
Fur. Less money spent on clothes and more time getting petted.
How about non-physical?
A greater empathy for the plight of others.
How did you first learn about the Mütter Museum?
I read about and ordered one of the fantastic Mütter calendars shortly after they first came out and became obsessed with the museum.
What is your favorite specimen?
There was a photo of a girl with a condition called “enlarged heart” that was part of a traveling exhibition that came to NYC many years ago that struck such a chord with me that I wrote a song about it.
How does the Mütter's collection inspire you?
The collection is such an incredible peek into of the diversity of the human experience. Just being in the presence of so many amazing things serves as the ultimate life-affirming memento mori. Just talking about it makes me want to get back to making things before my time runs out!
What's next for you?
My next book, 365: A Daily Creativity Journal, is a functional guide to creating your own yearlong project and will be published by Voyageur Press in December!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Cephalothoracopagus Mousepads!
We now have mousepads featuring a close-up view of one of our most iconic specimens. The Cephalothoracopagus conjoined skeleton mousepad will make even the most boring corporate cubicle look edgy and interesting.
Go here to purchase!
Go here to purchase!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Soap Lady on a Rope!
In the marble halls of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, there is one subject that has come up over and over again. It has been whispered about behind closed doors, clandestine meetings have taken place, secret notes have been furtively passed, and fingers have been crossed by those who dared to believe... And now -- finally -- IT IS HERE.
An idea whose time has come: Soap Lady Soap!
We have both a smaller hand soap and the much-coveted Soap on a Rope version. Created exclusively for the Mütter Museum by Bubble Genius.
An idea whose time has come: Soap Lady Soap!
We have both a smaller hand soap and the much-coveted Soap on a Rope version. Created exclusively for the Mütter Museum by Bubble Genius.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
QÜESTIONS - An Interview with Madame Talbot
Here at the Mütter Museum we are fortunate to have a collection that inspires artists and craftspeople the world over. In our Museum Store we carry some of their creations. From the cute and clever to the genuinely thought-provoking, we are pleased to offer a wide variety of interpretive work. It's a truly symbiotic relationship which benefits both artist and institution.
Since most of these folks are also really interesting people, we thought it would be fun to interview them. It's fitting that our first QÜESTIONS interview should be with Madame Talbot who not only creates incredible medically-inspired one-of-a-kind curios and dolls, but she also created one of our best-selling custom items: the Mütter Museum poster.
QÜESTIONS: An Interview with Madame Talbot:
Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
My name is Ashleigh Talbot. I am known as Madame Talbot of Madame Talbot's Victorian Lowbrow™ and Gothic Lowbrow™
I create One-of-a-Kind Hand-Made Bibelots, Arcane Monstrances, Framed Curios, Mourning Dolls, Dark Objet d'Art and Hand-Illustrated Pen-and-Ink Poster Prints.
I am a reclusive artist and I do not take part in the gallery scene. But I am fortunate that with the Internet I have been able to make a full-time living making and selling my artwork by mail order. I live with my husband and five cats in a 140-year-old haunted house located on the edge of the Oregon Coast.
My main interests are Extreme Crafts, Old School Illustration, Handmade Dolls, Victorian and Gothic History and Strange Medical, Undertakers and Death History.
My website is located at MadameTalbot.com.
I try to post at least once a week on my blog about the projects I am currently working on, which is located at madametalbot.com/34blog.htm.
I also have a Fan Page on Facebook, please come by and say hello!
What do you think motivates your work?
The Fear of Regret.
If your life was a book, what genre would it be?
Victorian/Gothic-Horror with a Medical Nightmare foreword, Undertaker Anatomy footnotes, Gallows Humor Bibliography and a Dedication to Extreme Crafters Everywhere.
What fictional character most resembles you and why?
Victor Frankenstein, the ultimate Extreme Crafter.
What non-fictional character most resembles you and why?
František Rint, the woodcarver who was employed by the Schwarzenberg family to put the human bone heaps of plague victims in a fashionable sort of order at what is known as The Sedlec Ossuary in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutná Hora located in the Czech Republic.
Frederik Ruysch, the Dutch anatomist who made incredible developments in anatomical preservation as well as creating dioramas and scenes incorporating human parts.
What's your poison?
Consumable: Strong coffee with a hint of milk, and chocolate cocoa-dusted Belgian truffles.
Non-consumable: Non-fiction books, specifically topics from the Victorian-era or older.
What is the last song you had on repeat?
Thunder and Rain - a half hour mp3 of just rain and thunder. We don't have much thunder here on the North Coast. www.rainymood.com
Name three things that scare you.
-- Hypodermic Needles.
-- The sudden sight of my own blood flowing from an accidental cut.
-- Bees. While I was asleep a few years ago, I awoke with an angry bee caught in my hair, and in my frantic attempt to get it out, it stung me while I was half asleep. Nothing like waking up to the feeling of a bee sting to the back of your head!
In your opinion, what is the greatest invention that has occurred in your lifetime?
The Mute Button.
If you saw a red door, what color would you paint it?
I would repaint it a lovely shade of . . . red.
A red door on a house brings good luck, prosperity, happiness, good fortune, celebration. Also it is the color that is used to ward off mean ghosts and evil spirits.
Direct attack or subterfuge?
Oh, definitely subterfuge.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
The last line inked on a poster.
If you could influence human evolution, what do you think a good physical trait would be?
Bring back the tail!
How about non-physical?
To be more compassionate towards animals and the earth, to not be so gullible when it comes to organized religion and politics.
How did you first learn about the Mütter Museum?
I found a copy of Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia By College of Physicians of Philadelphia, published in 1898. Because of my interest in strange medical anatomy, medicine and apothecary, it was chock full of strange and wonderful discoveries.
What is your favorite specimen?
Cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros
How does the Mütter Museum's collection inspire you?
It makes me want to add more to my own collection. I am almost there :)
What's next for you?
Mostly working on posters, my goal is 12 new posters by the end of this year, all of which I have already started. More Foetal Skull Widow Dolls and of course, more framed curio exhibits, one utilizing a human ribcage and a sleeping vampire bat. After that, I plan to work on my own Tarot deck.
In my spare time, I have been working on what I call my Never-Ending book, something I have been researching for over 8 years now. Most of the topics are based on many of my favorite topics: death, bones, anatomy, medical weirdness and medieval apothecary. I am almost done researching it and now I'm starting the writing.
Thanks so much to Madame Talbot for taking the time to answer our qüestions.
Since most of these folks are also really interesting people, we thought it would be fun to interview them. It's fitting that our first QÜESTIONS interview should be with Madame Talbot who not only creates incredible medically-inspired one-of-a-kind curios and dolls, but she also created one of our best-selling custom items: the Mütter Museum poster.
QÜESTIONS: An Interview with Madame Talbot:
Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
My name is Ashleigh Talbot. I am known as Madame Talbot of Madame Talbot's Victorian Lowbrow™ and Gothic Lowbrow™
I create One-of-a-Kind Hand-Made Bibelots, Arcane Monstrances, Framed Curios, Mourning Dolls, Dark Objet d'Art and Hand-Illustrated Pen-and-Ink Poster Prints.
I am a reclusive artist and I do not take part in the gallery scene. But I am fortunate that with the Internet I have been able to make a full-time living making and selling my artwork by mail order. I live with my husband and five cats in a 140-year-old haunted house located on the edge of the Oregon Coast.
My main interests are Extreme Crafts, Old School Illustration, Handmade Dolls, Victorian and Gothic History and Strange Medical, Undertakers and Death History.
My website is located at MadameTalbot.com.
I try to post at least once a week on my blog about the projects I am currently working on, which is located at madametalbot.com/34blog.htm.
I also have a Fan Page on Facebook, please come by and say hello!
What do you think motivates your work?
The Fear of Regret.
If your life was a book, what genre would it be?
Victorian/Gothic-Horror with a Medical Nightmare foreword, Undertaker Anatomy footnotes, Gallows Humor Bibliography and a Dedication to Extreme Crafters Everywhere.
What fictional character most resembles you and why?
Victor Frankenstein, the ultimate Extreme Crafter.
What non-fictional character most resembles you and why?
František Rint, the woodcarver who was employed by the Schwarzenberg family to put the human bone heaps of plague victims in a fashionable sort of order at what is known as The Sedlec Ossuary in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutná Hora located in the Czech Republic.
Frederik Ruysch, the Dutch anatomist who made incredible developments in anatomical preservation as well as creating dioramas and scenes incorporating human parts.
What's your poison?
Consumable: Strong coffee with a hint of milk, and chocolate cocoa-dusted Belgian truffles.
Non-consumable: Non-fiction books, specifically topics from the Victorian-era or older.
What is the last song you had on repeat?
Thunder and Rain - a half hour mp3 of just rain and thunder. We don't have much thunder here on the North Coast. www.rainymood.com
Name three things that scare you.
-- Hypodermic Needles.
-- The sudden sight of my own blood flowing from an accidental cut.
-- Bees. While I was asleep a few years ago, I awoke with an angry bee caught in my hair, and in my frantic attempt to get it out, it stung me while I was half asleep. Nothing like waking up to the feeling of a bee sting to the back of your head!
In your opinion, what is the greatest invention that has occurred in your lifetime?
The Mute Button.
If you saw a red door, what color would you paint it?
I would repaint it a lovely shade of . . . red.
A red door on a house brings good luck, prosperity, happiness, good fortune, celebration. Also it is the color that is used to ward off mean ghosts and evil spirits.
Direct attack or subterfuge?
Oh, definitely subterfuge.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
The last line inked on a poster.
If you could influence human evolution, what do you think a good physical trait would be?
Bring back the tail!
How about non-physical?
To be more compassionate towards animals and the earth, to not be so gullible when it comes to organized religion and politics.
How did you first learn about the Mütter Museum?
I found a copy of Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia By College of Physicians of Philadelphia, published in 1898. Because of my interest in strange medical anatomy, medicine and apothecary, it was chock full of strange and wonderful discoveries.
What is your favorite specimen?
Cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros
How does the Mütter Museum's collection inspire you?
It makes me want to add more to my own collection. I am almost there :)
What's next for you?
Mostly working on posters, my goal is 12 new posters by the end of this year, all of which I have already started. More Foetal Skull Widow Dolls and of course, more framed curio exhibits, one utilizing a human ribcage and a sleeping vampire bat. After that, I plan to work on my own Tarot deck.
In my spare time, I have been working on what I call my Never-Ending book, something I have been researching for over 8 years now. Most of the topics are based on many of my favorite topics: death, bones, anatomy, medical weirdness and medieval apothecary. I am almost done researching it and now I'm starting the writing.
Thanks so much to Madame Talbot for taking the time to answer our qüestions.
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