The People's Museum of Revisionist Natural Itstory
My work was included in a collaborative revisionist museum that humorously topples the dominant scientific and cultural narratives found in many natural history museums. This group exhibition was presented at SPACES in Cleveland from November 2015-January 2016.
For the exhibition, I presented "Selections from the Museum of Canine Eugenics." Skilled artisans at a rural Victorian Era museum supposedly created this grouping of miniature models assembled from the fur of purebred canines. The mythical Museum of Canine Eugenics prides itself as the guardian of international pedigreed dog breeding standards. Museum authorities have repeatedly stated their views on the desired goal of eradicating all undesirable mixed breed specimens.
Also included is the "Hall of Faux Moon Rocks," a work that investigates the history of the Goodwill Moon Rock scandal and the subsequent black market for counterfeit moon rocks. President Richard Nixon's ceremonial gifts of Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 lunar samples were intended to portray the United States as the undisputed leader in global scientific achievements. While the NASA moon rocks are considered priceless pieces of human history, unfortunately 180 of the 270 gifted moon rocks were lost, misplaced or thrown away due to shoddy museum management and the bureaucracy of governmental paperwork. Counterfeit moon rocks soon began popping up everywhere.
Selections from the Museum of Canine Eugenics, 2015
From The People's Museum of Revisionist Natural Itstory, SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Models of dogs made from the fur of dogs, models range in scale from 4" in height to 12" in height.
Selections from the Museum of Canine Eugenics, 2015
Installation view of dog fur models, SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Models of dogs made from the fur of dogs, models range in scale from 4" in height to 12" in height.
Selections from the Museum of Canine Eugenics, 2015
Audience engagement at SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
The People's Museum of Revisionist Natural Itstory, 2015
Installation view of Hall of Faux Moon Rocks, SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Hall of Faux Moon Rocks, 2015
Hall of Faux Moon Rocks, SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Installation view including faux Goodwill Moon Rocks with text labels presented in museum vitrine, 40" x 50" x 20"; NASA photograph of Neil Armstrong's footprint on the Moon, 8"x 10"; Crime Lab table and salesman's valise filled with confiscated counterfeit moon rocks.
A Brief History of the Missing Goodwill Moon Rocks, 2015
Detail view of Goodwill Moon Rock of Holland (foreground), at SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Faux moon rocks made from plaster, sand, paint and graphite with text labels on velvet in museum vitrine. Complete vitrine is 40" x 50" x 20".
Proof, 2015
NASA's photographic proof that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon within installation at SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
8" x 10" photograph, framed.
The Evidence Room: Captured Counterfeit Moon Rocks, 2015
Crime Lab examination scene with tools of the trade at SPACES, Cleveland, OH.
Fragments of counterfeit moon rocks made from plaster, sand, paint and graphite with cardboard and tools on metal lab table.
Guaranteed Imitation Moon Rock at Museum Gift Shop, 2015
Like any reputable museum, The People's Museum of Revisionist Natural Itstory features a gift shop. Included is a limited edition of Guaranteed Imitation Moon Rocks, made in the USA, patent pending at SPACES, Cleveland, OH
Box with moon rock, 5" x 5" x 5"