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Pretty Little Liars Round Table: "Gamma Zeta Die!"

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"Gamma Zeta Die!" wasn't the best Pretty Little Liars episode of all-time.

Still, TV Fanatic Round Table participants Carissa Pavlica, Nick McHatton, Leigh Raines and Teresa Lopez are here to break down the college-based Season 4 installment. What worked? What failed? Gather around and let's debate!

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The girls are planning for college. What are the odds they all go to Cicero?

Nick: The odds are pretty stellar that they'll end up going to the same school, but will the join the same sororities?

Leigh: I think they'll all go in the area with at least two going to Cicero. Or they'll probably all only get accepted there. Good point about the sororities Nick.

Teresa: Well I have my doubts that Hanna could even get in to college. But it would make things easier for A... all the targets were in one location.

Carissa: I think we've seen their future. A lot of lies seem to be tied up in that school, and those lies mean answers.

PLL RT LOGO

Who is house mother Carla Grunwald? Any thoughts on how she might fit in?

Nick: She was probably the house mother to someone in the older crowd. She had a pulse for everything that was going on, and I doubt that is a recent development.

Leigh: Definitely someone the older crowd knew like maybe Cece. I bet Ali ended up running to he for help a time or two.  Maybe getting caught by her.

Teresa: Maybe Carla Grunwald caught "board shorts" guy messing around with Ali and then disappeared. I just hope it's not some elaborate conspiracy involving an insane house mother. 

Carissa: I hadn't thought about it until just this very minute, but "board shorts," who could have also been Wilden in his younger days, might have been the son of this woman. It would explain a lot about why he was so friggin involved in all the A and Liars crap.

What did Spencer mean by "It ain't that big a bird?"

Nick: I thought she was referring do the bird saying the phone number over and over again. I thought she was just making a deadpan joke.

Leigh: This seems like a metaphor for Spencer not being intimidated by A. She's gonna do what she's gonna do for answers.

Teresa: I thought Spencer said "It ain't big bird," cause that kinda made sense. Otherwise,  I have no idea.

Carissa: Frankly, I thought I was going insane. I can't think of a time I was more lost than during that comment.

Were you surprised that nobody seemed to know but Ashley and Hanna how deeply involved with Wilden they were?

Nick: Those involvements go back towards the beginning of the show when Hannah shoplifts at the mall and Ashley helps get her charges dropped by sleeping with Wilden. This is pre-Liar formation, so I doubt Hannah was going to bring up the fact that her mom boned Wilden to get her shoplifting dropped.

Leigh: I thought they were all a little more clued in but I guess it makes sense. Even the liars have some secrets from each other.

Teresa: I'll bet Wilden kept his involvement with the Marins a secret due to his own shady involvement with them and Ali (and the A team).

Carissa: It made me think that A sets traps for those involved to get themselves so wrapped up in her games that they makes themselves suspects without her help. She makes them think she'll do something, but in the end she just sits back and watches while her prodding makes people get sucked down into quicksand just because of their fears. Pretty good tactic.

Is A's plans to tear the girls away from their families failing?

Nick: Like all things A, I think the method matters as long as the results are the same. Aria's Mom is still heading out; Spencer's parents are glorified wall decorations at this point; whether Hannah is ripped away from Ashley or vice-versa the results are the same; and the investigations are probably ongoing for Emily's parents.

Leigh: I think it's still on. Was that first bee a camera bee? It looked like surveillance. Ashley is also so screwed. Spencer's dad was once in the hot seat. The Fields are feeling it now. A gets around.

Teresa: It seems to be working but I expected A to be way more deadly. Remember when Caleb's mom was run off the road? Ella got bees, which could have been a disaster if she was allergic.

Carissa: It feels like something has changed, as if A needs a reminder of what it was like to have family of her own. Maybe it's having Mrs. D so close again? 

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/pretty-little-liars-round-table-gamma-zeta-die/

Olga Fonda Cast on The Vampire Diaries As…

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Olga Fonda is about to get her big break.

The actress - who has appeared in small roles on How I Met Your Mother and Nikita - has been cast on The Vampire Diaries Season 5.

Fonda Pic

The brunette Russian model will recur on The CW drama as Nadia, one of three recurring characters who will debut on the October 10 premiere. Look for this network-described "emotional chameleon" to be willing to align herself with anyone at any time in order to further what the casting notes outline as a "mysterious agenda."

We will first meet Nadia when she runs into Matt and Rebekah in Prague.

The series is still looking for two more new players, including a college upperclassman who will cozy up to Caroline.

UPDATE: Not anymore! Kendrick Sampson has been cast in this role.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/olga-fonda-cast-on-the-vampire-diaries-as/

Anne Heche Added to The Michael J. Fox Show

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During a major week for casting news - Justin Hartley to Revenge! Lisa Edelstein to Castle! - a new show is getting in on the fun.

Entertainment Weekly confirms that Anne Heche (fresh off the disaster of Save Me) has been cast on multiple episodes of The Michael J. Fox Show.

The veteran actress will recur as an anchor at NBC 4, the New York City station where Fox's main character goes back to work after a hiatus for Parkinson's. Look for her reporter to have a long-standing rivalry with Fox's Mike.

Anne Heche Pic

The Michael J. Fox Show will air at 9 p.m. slot on Thursday nights this fall, starting September 26. Watch a trailer now:

The Michael J. Fox Show Trailer

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/anne-heche-added-to-the-michael-j-fox-show/

Casting News in Review: Revenge, OUAT, Arrow and More!

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We may be two months away from the return of fall television, but various hit shows across the dial went on a casting rampage this week.

In case you missed any of the major roles and the actor/actress who will be filling them, we've rundown the biggest pieces of casting news from the past few days below. Hopefully we can churn out this list before another bombshell drops...

Victoria Smiles On the OutsideHood in Trouble

  • Justin Hartley will portray Victoria's long lost son on Revenge season 3.
  • Natalie Zea will reprise her role as Claire on The Following season 2.
  • Sonya Walger will appear on numerous Parenthood season 5 episodes as an architect who works with Joel.
  • Giancarlo Esposito will return for an early episode of Once Upon a Time season 3.
  • Kristen Bell will play a Councilwoman from Eagleton on Parks and Recreation season 6.
  • Chi McBride will stop by the season premiere of Hawaii Five-0 when it moves to Fridays.
  • Adam Lambert will play an unknown role on Glee Season 5.
  • Cote de Pablo will exit NCIS on the Season 11 premiere.
  • Lisa Edelstein will help Beckett make up her mind on Castle season 6.
  • Summer Glau will recur as a possibly evil businesswoman on Arrow season 2.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/casting-news-in-review-revenge-ouat-arrow-and-more/

TV Ratings Report: Few Play Hollywood Game Night

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Thursday night network ratings are in and they depict a Hollywood Game Night few folks played, a series low for Motive and a rise for those racists on Big Brother.

Scroll down now for a full report...

Hollywood Game Night Image

8 p.m.
Wipeout: 3.9 million viewers
Hell's Kitchen rerun: 2.9 million
The Big Bang Theory rerun: 7.9 million/Two and a Half Men rerun: 6.7 million
The Winner Is… rerun: 3.4 million
The Vampire Diaries rerun: 620,000

9 p.m.
Big Brother: 6.1 million
Hell's Kitchen: 5.1 million
The Winner Is…: 3.9 million
Motive: 4.6 million
Beauty and the Beast rerun: 520,000

10 p.m.
Hollywood Game Night: 4.1 million
Rookie Blue: 5.1 million
Elementary rerun: 4.5 million

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/tv-ratings-report-few-play-hollywood-game-night/

Falling Skies Exclusive: Drew Roy on Evil Hal, The Return of Karen and More

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Evil Hal took over in a big way on last Sunday’s Falling Skies... but what happens next now that the Mason men are on the search for missing Anne and her not-quite-right baby?

In a TV Fanatic exclusive, Drew Roy - who showed off his impressive acting chops on "Be Silent and Come Out" - gives us some insight into the key scenes of that episode and also previews the bumps in the road coming for Hal and Maggie.

When will we see the diabolical Karen? Read on for excerpts from my Q&A with Roy...

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TV Fanatic: Congratulations on the fourth season renewal!
Drew Roy: Thank you very much. You know, it’s always a nice to know you still have a job!

TVF: Let’s talk about last week’s episode first. I have to say I loved seeing you rough up Noah Wyle!
DR: (Laughs) It was fun. To be completely honest, that was one of the biggest challenges of that episode was just knowing that I was going to have to go toe-to-toe with Noah because Noah, as we all know, is a fantastic actor because he doesn’t back down so you’re supposed to, you know, back down, but the fact that I was his son on the show gave me a tremendous amount [of room] as far as being able to respect him and [it] didn’t have to just be a physical altercation, but we definitely showed up and went at it toe-to-toe each day.

TVF: We’d seen glimpses of Evil Hal throughout the season so far, but this was the first time he really kind of took over for a while. Was that different for you to play at that point?
DR: I knew that it was going to culminate with me taking Tom [Mason, Wyle’s character] hostage and so I really had to come up with a whole character and how this guy was going to act and a new version. I basically just had to come up with that character not knowing what this guy was going to do or was capable of.

I just decided that since Hal at this point was in such a confused and really just a weak state, the best way to combat that was have this evil side of him just be very cunning and manipulative and confident and that really works well with a lot of that part. When it actually came down to it was just finding that fun stuff that makes an evil guy do what an evil guy does and I’d never gotten to do that before. And it was definitely fun.

Hal with a Gun

TVF: You also had some like really tough emotional scenes last week. Is crying something that comes easy for you on screen?
DR: It’s definitely not easy, but I know how to get myself to do it. It’s really just putting the work in. I’m very critical of when a guy cries on a movie or a TV show, because if you over-do it, it loses its power, because just like you, I am a sucker for it.

If you see a dude break down, oh it tears me up. And so, I always try to pick and chose when I think that the best time to do that is otherwise, you know, it loses its power. So that particular scene when Tom is finally getting through to Hal, a little bit or he thinks he is I’m also a sucker for talking about family.

TVF: When they do the procedure to extract the eye worm from Hal, were you aware of what the special effects would be? They were so cool.
DR: A little bit. I always try to find a visual set supervisor that day and tell him what I’m thinking, see what he’s thinking and then get on as close a page as possible, because you do nothing but help each other if you’re on the same page…so I went out there and squealed and screamed and made noises and basically wore myself out.

After every take, I’d have to just lay there for a good 10 seconds to just catch my breath, because on top of doing everything that was going on in the scene, thrashing around and what-not, you’ve got to remember that I ended up with cardiac arrest. So, I’m holding my breath at that point, basically I’m completely exhausted and I’m holding my breath, so then by the time they call it cut, I was about ready to die.

TVF: A lot of people in the show assume that Hal is the mole and that that part of the story is over. What can you tell me?
DR: Well, when we actually got to that point in the season, I wondered that myself, I thought you know, 'is there still a little bit of this evil Hal that’s still in there, is that going to come back out?' That would be kind of interesting or is he completely freed? So it is a mysterious little moment, but you know, he is a Mason. I don’t think we can let Masons venture too far, but I was a little curious myself. The other thing is, that Hal wasn’t necessarily not a mole, he wasn’t single it doesn’t look like, but he still kind of was a mole.

TVF: Do we see Hal have to atone for some of what he did in this Sunday’s episode?
DR: A little bit, but the amount of hostility in Charleston floors the Masons at this point. It’s so high that we just leave town. One, because we need to go get Anne and Lexi, but two, I don’t even think that the Mason’s would be safe in Charleston. I think that they’re better off out there in the wilderness by themselves than they are in Charleston right now, because between Tom having had his alien encounters and eye bug, then, being scrapped in Hal’s full-blown flipping out on everybody, the Masons are not too loved right now.

So we don’t see him go through that there in Charleston, but we see it somewhat on the road, but just as different as the episodes are, we quickly get into some trouble. And so they have to take that into consideration and not so much looking back and worrying about what he’s done.

TVF: What can we expect through the rest of the season with Hal and Maggie? She’s been such a trooper through all this!
DR: She was but it’s funny because through of all of that, she was right there, but now that things are good we’re about to see the two of them have a little friction, which I always really liked between our two characters because when we’re just happy in love, that’s really boring to me. I like it when we’re at each other’s throats and we’re going to find ourselves stuck in a room here on the brink of death here in the next couple episodes, which was a real fun film experience to play with her and as the season progresses, the anxiety between the two of them continues to build until it culminates in this moment that when I read it on the page, all I could think was, oh, my goodness did the writers really just take it there? I’m thrilled to see how that’s going to play out.

TVF: Do we see Karen again anytime soon?
DR: Oh, Karen. Karen, yeah that would be a disappointment for everybody. I think at this point everybody wants to see what in the world is Karen doing. What mischief is she up to, how in the world did she become the head alien? What does that even mean? So yes, we will see Karen again and as always she’s up to no good, because I’m waiting to see something we’ve never seen from her and also a little interaction between our Charleston hero’s and Karen takes a very unexpected turn.

TVF: Are you doing anything else right now or just enjoying downtime, or are you working on some other stuff?
DR: I’ve been doing a ton of traveling, which has been fantastic and actually, Connor Jessup is over in Japan right now on our rice farm. So I said, let me get my ticket, and so after Comic Con I’m flying over to Japan. I’m just going to hang out with him for about nine days. I get to see all of Japan and then, go work the rice farm.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/falling-skies-exclusive-drew-roy-on-evil-hal-the-return-of-karen/

Justin Hartley Cast on Revenge as …

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Justin Harley has been cast on Revenge in a crucial role, and multi-episode arc, this fall.

We'll meet him in the Revenge Season 3 premiere as Patrick, Victoria's long lost son.

Justin Hartley Photo

The Revenge Season 2 finale ended with a bang as Patrick appeared at the Graysons' door. We never saw his face, but the mere sight of him shocked Victoria to the point where her glass shattered on the floor.

Revenge fans don't know much about Patrick, but we do know Vicki gave birth to him at 16 and then gave him away to a nun when he was only six months old so that she could attend art school in Paris.

When Patrick started looking for Victoria, she handled it like you'd expect, paying him $5 million to disappear. Guess that didn't take, because after teasing us at length, the show dropped the bombshell in May.

ABC previously confirmed that Ashley Madekwe (Ashley) and Connor Paolo (Declan) would not return as series regulars for Season 3, while creator Mike Kelley is also out, so it'll be a different Revenge this fall.

Hopefully in a good way, as the sophomore season was a bit inconsistent at best.

Hartley was a fan favorite on Smallville, playing Oliver Queen (now played by Stephen Amell on Arrow) in later seasons as a series regular. He also appeared on Emily Owens M.D. and failed CW pilot Aquaman.

Excited to meet him as Patrick in the Hamptons? Discuss in the comments!

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/justin-hartley-cast-on-revenge-as/

True Blood Sneak Peeks: Devil of a Question

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True Blood left viewers with quite the cliffhanger last week, as Sookie concluded "At Last" with a ball of light over Warlow's half-naked body.

Ben is Warlow, right? But then why hasn't he already killed Sookie? And what's to stop her from using her faeries powers to take him down once and for all?

Sookie has these same questions in the following True Blood clip, as "F**k the Pain Away" picks up immediately where last Sunday's installment left off. Watch now:

Elsewhere, Jessica is freaking out over her daughter-killing actions, running over to Jason for comfort and advice. And she has an important question of her own to ponder: What if Bill isn't God? What if he's The Devil?!?

Check out another sneak peek and visit TV Fanatic as soon as this episode ends for a complete review:

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/true-blood-sneak-peeks-devil-of-a-question/

Nychos – I’d Like To Meat You Solo Show in Detroit

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Nychos Daughter Slaughter I'd Like To Meat You! gallery show Inner State Gallery Detroit June 21 - July 18, 2013

Nychos Xray Doberman I'd Like To Meat You! gallery show Inner State Gallery Detroit June 21 - July 18, 2013

Nychos I'd Like To Meat You! gallery show Inner State Gallery Detroit June 21 - July 18, 2013

Nychos I'd Like To Meat You! gallery show Inner State Gallery Detroit June 21 - July 18, 2013

If there was ever a street art show I’d like to see, it would be Nychos (with ROA following close behind). One of my favorite street artists out there right now, Nychos is known for his amazing exploded views of human, animals, and whatever else he can manage to stuff with anatomy and blow up. His style is fun and slightly shocking which I imagine fits his personality quite well.

I’d Like to Meat You is Nychos’ first solo show in the U.S. taking place at Inner State Gallery in Detroit, Michigan. The theme of the show draws upon Detroit’s Eastern Market, an area known for its public murals, produce, and freshly butchered meat.

Compiling his anatomic knowledge with sliced cross sections, x-ray peek-ins and detailed dissections “I’d Like To Meat You!” will be a colorful exploration of new works on paper, canvas and wood highlighting Nychos’ skilled range across graffiti, illustration and street art. –Inner State Gallery

I didn’t want to remain stagnant with my use of anatomy, so with my new work I wanted to slice everything up and play with the slaughterhouse feel a bit. Overall the show will play with the idea of humans and animals, along with how interact with the food chain. You don’t think twice about the steak you eat. You see it everyday, but don’t take notice of the muscles and bones that make up a cow when you eat a steak. –Nychos

If you’re in or around Detroit, I highly suggest going to see this show. I might make the drive from Chicago to Detroit myself to see it!

Nychos I'd Like To Meat You! gallery show Inner State Gallery Detroit June 21 - July 18, 2013

Inner State Gallery

June 21 – July 18th, 2013

Detroit, Michigan

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/streetanatomy/OQuC/~3/wI4vL2qcU3M/

Once Upon a Time Scoop: Who’s Returning?

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Mirror, mirror on the wall... who will return to Once Upon a Time this fall?

In news first broken by TV Line, Giancarlo Esposito will take a break from wielding swords on Revolution to return to Storybrooke in September or October.

The actor will reprise his role as Sidney Glass (or the Magic Mirror... or possibly the Genie of Agrabah) on an early installment of Once Upon a Time Season 3. ABC is yet to announce the premiere date for any of its returning shows, however.

Giancarlo Esposito on OUAT

Esposito (also revered for his role on Breaking Bad as Gus Fring) recurred throughout Once Upon a Time Season 1.

When we last saw his character, he had been imprisoned by Regina for failing to frame Snow White for Kathryn's alleged murder.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/once-upon-a-time-scoop-whos-returning/

Morbid Anatomy in Brooklyn and Mexico (!!!): Upcoming Classes, Lectures and Field Trips!

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Taxidermy, ex voto, Terra Nullius, insect shadowboxes and A TRIP TO MEXICO FOR DAY OF THE DEAD!

Following is a complete list of upcoming Morbid Anatomy Presents events based in Brooklyn and Mexico. Hope to see you at one or more of these great events!

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Guinea Pig Taxidermy Class - Intro to Basic Taxidermy with Rogue Taxidermist Katie InnamoratoDate: Sunday, July 14
Time: 12 – 6:30 PM
Price: $150
Email: katie.innamorato(at)gmail(dot)com or afterlifeanatomy(at)gmail(dot)com to sign up.
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
This class will introduce students to the process and techniques behind basic taxidermy. Students will learn how to skin, prep, preserve, mount, and position the animal. The class instructor will provide all specimens, materials, and tools for the class. Each student will leave with their own finished mount!
***Nothing was harmed for this class, these animals were raised to feed large reptiles and would otherwise be discarded if not sold.

Katie Innamorato, artist and Rogue Taxidermist, is a member of the M.A.R.T. or Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. She is professionally and self taught in taxidermy; winning awards and ribbons every year at the GSTA. She explores the commercial relationships between animals and our society and her work questions the idea of bringing nature inside. She also examines the cyclical connections between life and death, and growth and decomposition. As with all M.A.R.T. members she adheres to strict ethical guidelines when acquiring specimens. She uses roadkill, scrap skins from other taxidermists and the garment industry, and donated skins to create her artworks; almost every part of the animal is utilized.

Her work has been featured recently on the new Science Channel show, "Odd Folks Home," on the hit Science and Discovery Channel TV show, "Oddities," and exhibited at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, CA.
Her website and blogs-
http://www.afterlifeanatomy.com
http://www.afterlifeanatomy.tumblr.com
http://www.facebook.com/afterlifeanatomy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/afterlifeanatomy
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The Unclassifiable Body: Australia and the Unknowable
Illustrated lecture by Ian Haig, RMIT University, Melbourne
Date: Monday, July 15
Time: 8 PM
Price: $8
To the British explorers, the newly discovered Australian continent was Terra Nullius, 'empty land' or 'land belonging to nobody', a land mass at the end of the known world, the end of known geography. Tonight Ian Haig of RMIT University, Melbourne will discuss the mythology of Australia as a zone of the unclassifiable, along with other antipodean notions of the geographical, biological and culturally unclassifiable and unknowable. He will detail the disbelief of English naturists upon first seeing renderings on paper of unthinkable animals--such as kangaroos, platypuses, and black swans-- that exist no where else in the world, and examine Australia’s outback as a post-apocalyptic space. The discussion will range from The Howling 3.
Ian Haig - The marsupials--featuring a breed of marsupial werewolves based on the extinct Tasmanian tiger-- to prehistoric Australian marsupials (mega fauna) and finally to his own art work responding to the notion of the unclassifiable body. is an artist and art instructor who works at the intersection of visual arts and media arts. His work explores the strangeness of everyday reality and focuses on the themes of the human body, devolution, abjection, transformation and psychopathology, often seen through the lens of low cultural forms. Previous works have explored  the science fiction of sexuality, the degenerative and malign aspects of pervasive new technologies, to cultural forms of fanaticism and cults, to ideas of attraction and repulsion. Over the years the trajectory of Haig’s vision has encompassed everything from site-specific installation projects, interactive sculpture, comics, noise music, to animations, videos, drawings, web projects, to large-scale gallery installations.
Image: Early depiction of Cygnus atratus, given the title "Black Swan", native name "Mulgo." Published in 1792. From First Fleet Artwork Collection at The Natural History Museum, London. Found on Wikipedia.
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Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop with Former AMNH Senior Insect Preparator Daisy Tainton
With Daisy Tainton, Senior Insect Preparator at the American Museum of Natural History
Date: Saturday, July 20
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Admission: $75
***Must purchase tickets either in person or at http://beetleclass.bpt.me/
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
Today, join former AMNH Senior Insect Preparator Daisy Tainton for Observatory's popular Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop. In this class, students will work with Rhinoceros beetles: nature's tiny giants. Each student will learn to make--and leave with their own!--shadowbox dioramas featuring carefully positioned beetles do
ing nearly anything you can imagine. Beetles and shadowboxes are provided, and an assortment of miniature furniture, foods, and other props will be available to decorate your habitat. Students need bring nothing, though are encouraged to bring along dollhouse props if they have a particular vision for their final piece; 1:18 scale work best.
BEETLES WILL BE PROVIDED. Each student receives one beetle approximately 2-3 inches tall when posed vertically.
Daisy Tainton was formerly Senior Insect Preparator at the American Museum of Natural History, and has been working with insects professionally for several years. Eventually her fascination with insects and  love of Japanese miniature food items naturally came together, resulting in cute and ridiculous museum-inspired yet utterly unrealistic dioramas. Beetles at the dentist? Beetles eating pie and knitting sweaters?
Even beetles on the toilet? Why not?
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Death in Mexico: A Special Field Trip to Mexico for Day of the Dead, Obscure Macabre Museums, and other Sites Important to the History of Death in Mexico October 31 - November 4
A 4-day trip to Mexico focusing on sites influential to the Mexican history of death, organized by Mexican writer and scholar Salvador Olguín and Morbid Anatomy
Dates: October 31  -  November 4 2013 (**Must reserve by July 20)
Includes: Two Day of the Dead Festivals; Special tours of The Museo de las Momias (Mummy Museum), The Museo Nacional de la Muerte (National Museum of Death), and The José Guadalupe Posada Museum, and a visit to historical Hidalgo market in Guanajuato, the Zacatecas Cathedral, the Temple of the Jesuit Order and other beautiful places.
Cost: $600.00 USD (Includes all hotels, luxury ground transportation, museum admissions, and breakfasts; airfares not included)
PLEASE NOTE: non-refundable down payment of $250.00 required by July 20 to reserve) Email info@borderlineprojects.com info [at] borderlineprojects.com with questions.

This Halloween season, why not join Morbid Anatomy and Mexican scholar Salvador Olguín for a very special 4-day, 4-night trip to Mexico for our favorite holiday, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead?
With Mexican writer and history of death in Mexico scholar Salvador Olguín as our guide, this tour will introduce attendees to some of the of lesser-known macabre destinations in Mexico holding unique gems associated with the culture of death. Our journey will take us to two off-the-beaten-track Day of the Dead celebrations, special tours of obscure museums, markets selling Day of the Dead and Santa Muerte artifacts, churches, cemeteries, and, throughout, great regional cuisine (and drink!) and luxury transportation.
Departing from Monterrey, the trip will take us to the beautiful, historical colonial cities of Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes to experience an area traditionally described as wild and untamed within Mexico. This region of Mexico is uniquely important to the history of death in Mexico in that it was the home of both José Guadalupe Posada and Joaquín de Bolaños, author of the first official Mexican biography of Death La Portentosa Vida de la Muerte published in 1792.
Attractions include:

October 31
We recommend arriving in Monterrey on the evening of Halloween, October 31. We will have a Halloween celebration, Mexican style, and we will depart to our first destination early in the morning of November 1st.

November 1st  - Monterrey/Guanajuato
We will convene in Monterrey, Mexico at 7:30 in the morning, and leave for the city of Guanajuato by bus. Mexico’s Museo de las Momias (Mummy Museum) makes the small Colonial city of Guanajuato the star of this tour. The Mummy Museum has been displaying the naturally mummified bodies of people buried in the local cemetery for almost 150 years. A combination of dry weather, a mineral-rich soil, and a potent concentration of minerals in the water makes every person who has lived and died in Guanajuato a potential mummy, according to local lore. The museum itself is a wonderful combination of the macabre and the kitsch. You can visit the actual cemetery and see real mummies, but you can also visit the ‘modern’ Halloweenesque section of the museum, and eat charamuscas, a sugary candy shaped like a mummy.

November 2nd – Zacatecas
Zacatecas, another small Colonial city in Northern Mexico, was the home of Joaquín de Bolaños, author of the first official Mexican biography of Death. La Portentosa Vida de la Muerte was first published in 1792, and was
quickly condemned by the literary elites and some prominent officers of the Inquisition. The book managed to survive, and nowadays the City of Zacatecas honors Bolaños, its prodigal son, with a festival named after him around Day of the Dead.

November 3rd – Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes was the birthplace of José Guadalupe Posada. Posada’s Calaveras have become icons of the festivities around Día de Muertos. In this city, we will visit the José Guadalupe Posada Museum, which houses original illustrations by Posada and other engravers of the time. The tour includes an exclusive visit of the Museo Nacional de la Muerte (National Museum of Death.)

We will be back in Monterrey by November 4 after 5:00 p.m. Please consider this for your traveling arrangements. For more information, contact  info [at] borderlineprojects.com

Cost: $600.00 USD - airfares not included, non-refundable down payment of $250.00 required by July 20 to reserve . Email info [at] borderlineprojects.com for questions.

The $600 fee covers land transportation in a luxury bus, traveler insurance, lodging (double rooms at hotels), taxes, breakfasts, guided tours, tickets to all museums, special visits to some of the sites, and special treats.

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English Sparrow Taxidermy Class with Divya Anantharaman
Date: Sunday, July 21
Time: 12 – 6:00 PM
Price: $185.00
This class is part of  The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
In this class, students will create a fully finished mount from an English sparrow. An awfully cute, yet highly invasive species commonly seen in city and country alike, this class will cover introductory basic techniques used for small bird taxidermy. Each student will begin with their own sparrow, which they will proceed to skin, flesh, and mount in the pose of their choice. A selection of anthropomorphic and naturalistic props will be provided, although attendees are also welcome to bring their own, allowing the student to customize their bird. Students will create forms and poses using the technique of wrapping (a very traditional method of creating forms for small animals). We will also discuss the various methods of maintaining feet, beaks, and the delicate nature of grooming feathers. Reference images will be provided, though students are more than welcome to provide their own props and inspiration. We will also discuss federal and state bird laws, as well as the MBTA (a copy of which will be provided).
And please note: No animals were killed for the class.
Divya Anantharaman is a Brooklyn based artist whose taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with natural mythology and everyday oddities. After a journey filled with trial and error, numerous books, and an inspiring class (Sue Jeiven's popular Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class at Observatory!), she has found her calling in creating sickly sweet and sparkly critters. Beginning with mice and sparrows, her menagerie grew to include domestic cats, woodchucks, and deer. Recently profiled on Vice Fringes, the New York Observer, and other publications, she will also be appearing in the upcoming season of Oddities-and is definitely up to no good shenanigans. You can find out more at http://www.d-i-v-y-a.com.
Also, some technical notes:
  • We use NO harsh or dangerous chemicals.
  • Everyone will be provided with gloves.
  • All animals are disease free.
  • Although there will not be a lot of blood or gore, a strong constitution is necessary; taxidermy is not for everyone
  • All animals were already dead, nothing was killed for this class.
  • Please do not bring any dead animals with you to the class
Image found here.
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Wearable Taxidermy Workshop with Beth Beverly, Rogue Taxidermist and Fashion Designer at Diamond Tooth
Date: Saturday, July 27
Time: 12 - 6:30 pm
Admission: $150
Must RSVP to RSVP Email: diamondtoothtaxidermist(at)gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
Students will be provided with pre-skinned and tanned chicken hide elements (wings, tails, heads, etc) along with millinery hardware and all the glues, threads, chain, and miscellaneous decorative elements to create a one of a kind custom taxidermy headpiece.
Starting with the malleable hide parts, students will be instructed on how to manipulate, fill and and position the feathered sections while anchoring them to the metal hardware using foam mannequin heads (provided) for stability.  Millinery accents like netting, crinoline, jewels and metal embellishments can then be added to complete the students' own personal design, finishing off the workshop with instruction on lining the inside and adding a personalized garment tag.
Students will leave with their new wearable piece of fashion taxidermy, along with printed out lesson sheets and sourcing info so that they may employ these new skills for life.
Philadelphia’s premiere rogue taxidermist, Beth Beverly specialises in wearable taxidermy. Her hats have won awards at the Devon Horse Show, Brandywine Polo and Radnor Hunt Clubs. Her work has been featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, plus galleries such as La Luz de Jesus, Art in the Age and Michael Vincent Gallery. In 2010 Beverly won "Best in Show" at the annual Carnivorous Nights competition in New York. Currently featured as an "Immortalizer" on AMC's series about competitive taxidermy, she relishes in being photographed wearing her work and defying common stereotypes of taxidermists.
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Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class with Divya Anantharaman
Date: Saturday, August 10
Time: 12:30 - 5 PM
Admission: $110
Advance Tickets Required; Tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/392363
Email divya.does.taxidermy at gmail dot com with questions or to be put on wait list
Class limit: 10
This class is part of the Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

Anthropomorphic taxidermy--in which taxidermied animals are posed into human attitudes and poses--was an artform made famous by Victorian taxidermist and museologist Walter Potter. In this class, students will learn to create--from start to finish--anthropomorphic mice inspired by the charming and imaginative work of Mr. Potter and his ilk. With the creative use of props and some artful styling, you will find that your mouse can take nearly whatever form you desire, from a bespectacled, whiskey swilling, top hat tipping mouse to a rodent mermaid queen of the burlesque world.

In this class, Divya Anantharaman--who learned her craft under the tutelage of famed Observatory instructor Sue Jeiven--will teach students everything involved in the production of a fully finished mount, including initial preparation, hygiene and sanitary measures, fleshing, tail stripping, and dry preservation. Once properly preserved, the mice will be posed and outfitted as the student desires. Although a broad selection of props and accessories will be provided by the instructor, students are also strongly encouraged to bring their own accessories and bases; all other materials will supplied. Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.

Also, some technical notes:

  • We use NO harsh or dangerous chemicals.
  • Everyone will be provided with gloves.
  • All animals are disease free.
  • Although there will not be a lot of blood or gore, a strong constitution is necessary; taxidermy is not for everyone
  • All animals were already dead, nothing was killed for this class.
  • Please do not bring any dead animals with you to the class.

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Ex Voto Making Workshop with Master Jeweler Karen Bachmann
With Art Historian and Master Jeweler Karen Bachmann

Date: Sunday, August 11
Time: 1 - 5 pm
Admission: $150
***Must pre-purchase tickets at http://exvoto.brownpapertickets.com; 8 person limit
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy
An Ex-voto is an offering made in fulfillment of a vow, usually offered to a particular saint or other divinity. The term is Latin in origin, short for ex voto suscepto –“from the vow made." Ex-votos are placed in chapels, shrines, and other places of pilgrimage to offer thanks for blessings, healing, and to seek grace. Such places of pilgrimage have been found throughout history and in such diverse places as Egypt, Italy, and Mexico.
As ex-votos are often associated with miraculous healing, the forms they take reflect the healed body part. Hearts, lungs, legs, arms, heads, breasts, crutches, etc. often find themselves replicated in embossed and sometimes painted metal which adorn the walls of chapels in fantastic array. They are sometimes accompanied by written verse as well. Such ex-votos stand not only as tokens of thanks, but also as testaments of faith to other viewers.
This class will demonstrate how to construct from sheet metal an ex-voto of one’s own choosing. Using metal sheers and embossing tools, students will learn how to lay out a design and create their own individualized ex-voto suitable for hanging on a wall (chapel or otherwise). Metal and tools will be supplied. Samples will be shown, as well as anatomical images suitable for reproduction. Please bring sketchpad and pencil.
Karen Bachmann is a fine jeweler with over 25 years experience, including several years on staff as a master jeweler at Tiffany and Co. She is a Professor in the Jewelry Design Dept at Fashion Institute of Technology as well as the School of Art & Design at Pratt Institute. She has recently completed her MA in Art History at SUNY Purchase with a thesis entitled Hairy Secrets:... In her downtime she enjoys collecting biological specimens, amateur taxidermy and punk rock.
Image found here.
Full list and more information on all events can be found here. More on the Morbid Anatomy Art Academy can be found here.

You can find out more about all events here. Image sourced here.

Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/07/morbid-anatomy-in-brooklyn-and-mexico_10.html


  1. Anatomy