Extra Credit Event 2 - Natural History Museum

I visited the Los Angeles Natural History Museum this Saturday! 

Me at the Becoming Los Angeles exhibit!

 It had been a long time since I last went to a natural history museum so I was extremely excited. I spent the first half hour in the “Becoming Los Angeles” exhibit; it displays certain items and photographs that showed Los Angeles at a point in time. It showed how technological advances pushed the Los Angeles community to progress in its culture and art. The Fender Stratocaster guitar was displayed as it was first developed by Southern California inventor Leo Fender, and thus shaped the sound of popular music worldwide. 

Fender Stratocaster guitar

Perhaps the most impressive displays that embodies both science and art are the lifelike animals in their respective region halls. The backdrop paintings are incredibly realistic in order to show the public a close-up view of the natural environments where are sadly becoming rare due to pollution and man-made problems. The diorama artists are talented painters, like Frank J. Mackenzie who studied at the Royal Academy and won the Turner gold medal. 

Elephants in Africa

Apart from the background painting, the animals are also pristinely preserved. With the art of taxidermy, a sculpture of the animal is created over its skeleton with clay. Then the skin is pulled over the lightweight mannequin. This process requires a sculptor’s dexterity and expert knowledge of animal anatomy. So this undoubtedly shows a merge between art and science. 

Chimpanzees in a rainforest

I highly recommend all animal lovers to visit the Natural History Museum! You will definitely see at least one rare animal species that you have yet to see! This entire museum displays the collaboration of art and biology, as explored in some of our lectures. 

Sources:

"Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County." Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.