Andrew Garn is the artistic mastermind behind this piece – as well as many other pieces of art, including photography – and we are proud to announce the unveiling of a new art piece at The Windows at the Wild Bird Fund. From the artist:
Doctor Auzoux’s Lost Pigeon is a 5x life-size anatomical pigeon; a re-imagined vision of the mid-19th century papier mache models of Louis Thomas Jerome Auzoux.
While a medical student in Paris in the 1820s, Auzoux noticed a constant shortage of human cadavers available for study and dissections. Even when bodies were available, they were only usable once, as the lack of modern refrigeration hastened decomposition.
Since the late 16th century, wax models of human bodies were commonly used to study anatomy, but heat and constant handling could cause the wax to lose its form. Auzoux saw an opportunity and formulated a secret papier-mache mixture to create sturdy, highly accurate and reusable models for a fraction of the cost of wax.
With assistance from the French state, Auzoux started a factory to produce his human anatomical models. The products were a great commercial success, purchased by almost every medical school, university and hospital in the world. A finely detailed, full human facsimile, with removable organs cost $15,000 in today’s dollars.
As the Auzoux workshop expanded, they began producing replica human embryos, horse and monkey models, insect and plant reproductions, continuing well into the 20th century. However, no record has been found of an anatomical pigeon.
This exhibit will be on display from June 17, 2016 to July 23, 2017. All sales will benefit the programs of the Wild Bird Fund.
For more information contact:
Sebastian Piccione