Abstract
Taxidermy, the practice of preserving animals' bodies through stuffing, poses ethical and environmental challenges that are relevant to current discussions on human-nature entanglements and Romanticism. This paper examines the intersection of taxidermy, mythology, and Romantic Gothic from multiple perspectives, including cultural studies, environmental humanities, and critical animal studies.
Drawing on Masahiro Mori's concept of "The Uncanny Valley," which describes the eerie feeling that humans experience when facing objects that are almost, but not quite, human-like, this paper explores the uncanny effects of taxidermy on viewers. It argues that, unlike other art forms that imitate life, taxidermy produces a hybrid form that blurs the boundaries between life and death, nature and culture, reality and myth. Thus, it exemplifies the Romanticist longing for the sublime, the eerie, and the infinite.
However, the history of taxidermy also reveals its problematic ties to colonialism, capitalism, and class dynamics. The story of Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, illustrates how taxidermy, as a practice of collecting and displaying exotic animals, has contributed to their extinction and erasure from the natural world. Moreover, the fact that wealthy collectors and museums have dominated the field of taxidermy perpetuates systemic inequality and exclusion in contemporary society.
This paper argues that a critical rethinking of taxidermy and its Romanticist legacies could contribute to the development of a more ecologically and socially just relationship between humans and animals. It proposes that the emerging art form of rogue taxidermy, which challenges traditional norms and conventions through affect-driven techniques and surreal aesthetics, can be a site for critical engagement with the ethical and political dimensions of taxidermy. By examining the intersectional and historical contexts of taxidermy, this paper aims to enrich our understanding of Romanticism as a complex and multifaceted cultural phenomenon that shapes our relationship with the natural world.
Drawing on Masahiro Mori's concept of "The Uncanny Valley," which describes the eerie feeling that humans experience when facing objects that are almost, but not quite, human-like, this paper explores the uncanny effects of taxidermy on viewers. It argues that, unlike other art forms that imitate life, taxidermy produces a hybrid form that blurs the boundaries between life and death, nature and culture, reality and myth. Thus, it exemplifies the Romanticist longing for the sublime, the eerie, and the infinite.
However, the history of taxidermy also reveals its problematic ties to colonialism, capitalism, and class dynamics. The story of Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, illustrates how taxidermy, as a practice of collecting and displaying exotic animals, has contributed to their extinction and erasure from the natural world. Moreover, the fact that wealthy collectors and museums have dominated the field of taxidermy perpetuates systemic inequality and exclusion in contemporary society.
This paper argues that a critical rethinking of taxidermy and its Romanticist legacies could contribute to the development of a more ecologically and socially just relationship between humans and animals. It proposes that the emerging art form of rogue taxidermy, which challenges traditional norms and conventions through affect-driven techniques and surreal aesthetics, can be a site for critical engagement with the ethical and political dimensions of taxidermy. By examining the intersectional and historical contexts of taxidermy, this paper aims to enrich our understanding of Romanticism as a complex and multifaceted cultural phenomenon that shapes our relationship with the natural world.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 25 Oct 2023 |
| Event | The 120th Annual PAMLA Conference: Shifting Perspectives - Portland, United States Duration: 25 Oct 2023 → 29 Oct 2023 https://www.pamla.org/pamla2023/ |
Conference
| Conference | The 120th Annual PAMLA Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Portland |
| Period | 25/10/23 → 29/10/23 |
| Internet address |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Arts and Humanities(all)
