Mark Pellegrino Joins Cast of The Tomorrow People

Mark Pellegrino is adding yet another line to his resume.

The very busy actor (Lost, Supernatural, Person of Interest, Being Human) is the latest name to be added to The Tomorrow People cast, as Deadline reports Pellegrino will portray a biologist looking to contain this group of superhuman individuals.

His character of Dr. Jedikiah Price believes they are a threat to regular folks on Earth, much like the opposition to The X-Men.

Mark Pellegrino as Bishop

The Tomorrow People is based on a British series and will also star Luke Mitchell, Peyton List and Robbie Amell.

It will be produced by Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries) and Greg Berlanti (Arrow).

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/02/mark-pellegrino-joins-cast-of-the-tomorrow-people/

Once Upon a Time Considering Mad Hatter Recast, Spinoff

Unexpected and potentially excited news tonight out of ABC and Once Upon a Time:

According to Deadline sources, the series will bring back the Mad Hatter for an episode later in Season 2.

HOWEVER, the role would be recast because the network is considering a spinoff involving the character and Sebastian Stan is unavailable for such a commitment.

Sebastian Stan on Once Upon a Time

The Mad Hatter grew into one of the show's more popular recurring players during his handful of appearances, but it's hard not to wonder if that was due to the character or Stan's portrayal of him.

Would a new actor catch on in the same fashion? Enough to build an entire series around him?

Insiders say the new actor would be brought on as a guest star with a series option in the contract, similar to deals made with Emile de Ravin and Meghan Ory.

So what do you think, Once Upon a Time fanatics? Can you imagine anyone other than Stan as the Hatter? Would you want to see such a spinoff? And which actor would you cast in it?

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/02/once-upon-a-time-considering-mad-hatter-recast-spinoff/

Nikita Review: Will Division’s History Repeat Itself?

Amanda returned with a masterful and vengeful plan in "Black Badge.

After a way too long hiatus, Nikita season 3 returned with an epic hour that put one of their own in harm's way. While Sean may not have been officially part of Division, he was a member of the team in the way that mattered the most: in their hearts. While the old Division discarded the damaged, the loved and those who made errors, as Nikita pointed out to Ryan, the new Division was different.

They wouldn't leave Sean out to take the fall for something he didn't do. Also, they didn't force him into a new, secret life either. He had a choice, took it, and officially became a Division recruit saved from the law and given a new life.

Nikita's Plan

Amanda was always diabolical. She enjoyed the power of Division, torturing recruits, and the nefarious side of the business. She's been manipulative, but not unbeatable until now. This time, she put together a plan that was masterful and stayed steps ahead of the new Division team from start to finish. She used the mission of the new Division against itself to take Sean's life as he knew it. 

What initially appeared to be a government leak to a CIA analyst, Naomi, was much more than it appeared. It was the first step in Amanda's elaborate plan to assassinate Kendrick and blame it on Sean. It wasn't clear if she actually wanted Division outed as an illegal arm of the government or not, but Ryan and Nikita were able to protect that secret at least.

When Division figured out that Amanda was going after Kendrick, they put together a plan to protect him and all seemed good until the car exploded. They didn't account for it being an inside job. That's where Amanda won this battle. She implicated Sean with the altered video footage and sent the team searching for the real guy on the street. Even after they realized he was just a common criminal, they didn't pursue the inside traitor.

They followed the clues that Amanda left for them, which gave her the time to further set up Sean with a faked motive, while protecting her inside source. I never saw the reveal that Naomi was working with Amanda coming. Nice job, writers!

Watching Amanda's plan unfold was a highlight of the episode and only outdone by the action packed fight between Nikita and Naomi. That was outstanding fight choreography, right up there with the best on television right now on Arrow. Nikita's move to distract Naomi with the comment of the shoes worked well. And, after putting a knife in Naomi's chest, Nikita took those shoes as a fight prize.

Did Amanda ultimately win? Tough call. She did get away with killing Kendrick and ruined Sean's life, so I'd count that as a victory that was only slightly incomplete. Amanda's lesson that every operative is disposable went against everything that Nikita and Ryan are trying to accomplish. And, Amanda failed in her teaching.

Sean has a tough road ahead of him now that he has left his family and career behind. And, as a Navy SEAL it will be difficult for him to continue knowing he "died" with the world believing he was a killer and traitor. He never wanted to work at Division because he didn't believe in it, but now he is stuck there presumably forever. At least he has Alex, but will she be enough?

As much as Ryan and Nikita believe they are running a new Division, it is still an illegal arm of the government. Most of the people working there are "dead" and the assignments they will be given are unofficial. It's a slippery slope and the new Division gets closer to the edge every day. Amanda failed at her lesson today, but how long before that lesson is learned? Or will Ryan and Nikita be able to keep their power in check and say no to an operation if it is outside the lines of what they deem ethical?

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/02/nikita-review-black-badge/

Sung Jang Hair On Canvas

Sung Jang vertebrae 2005

Sung Jang vertebrae 2005

Sung Jang vertebrae 2005

Sung Jang vertebrae 2005

Sung Jang Untitled 2005

Sung Jang Untitled 2005

What may look like the energetic lines of an artist sketching with a pen, is actually the work of Illinois-based artist Sung Jang who uses hair as his medium.

Jang began studying the possibilities of hair as a drawing medium in 2005 and says that,

Posses a peculiar duality: a duality of beauty and waste. It is something beautiful and alive, yet, when detached form the head, it instantly loses its value. It then becomes an insignificant object, nothing more than messy garbage. Creating images with the “fallen” hair, I tried to bring it back to an object of life.
Aside from the symbolism, Hair shows certain qualities as an object. It is a precisely thin line with graceful curves. I am exploring the possibilities of hair as a drawing medium. –sung-jang.com

Jang is currently an Adjunct Professor a The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology. View more of his work at sung-jang.com.

 

Sung Jang’s work will be presented at our upcoming gallery show, Dissecting Art, Intersecting Anatomy: Merging Contemporary Art with the Works of Pauline Lariviere, opening March 9th, 2013 in Chicago.

Keep up-to-date with show show via Facebook!

Dissecting Art Intersecting Anatomy curated by Vanessa Ruiz and Phillip Schalekamp March 9 2013 Chicago

 

 

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/streetanatomy/OQuC/~3/drVE1C5LLiY/

The Vampire Diaries Round Table: All Jeremy Gilbert Edition!

Tragedy stuck The Vampire Diaries on "Stand By Me," as the residents of Mystic Falls lost one of their own. Again.

In this special edition of the TV Fanatic Round Table, staffers Matt Richenthal, Steve Marsi, Miranda Wicker and Leigh Raines pay homage to the man, the myth, the wife beater-wearing legend... Jeremy Gilbert. Grab a Kleenex and gather around, readers.

----------------------------------

Were you surprised Jeremy really died?
Matt: Flabbergasted. Between the ring or Silas or some spell from Bonnie, I figured the show would find some way to resurrect Jeremy. But those thoughts went up in literal flames to close the episode and I can say I'm legitimately impressed TVD took this bold step.

Steve: I was, and pleasantly so. Not in the "hahaha yeah - you suck Jeremy!" sense, but in the "some major TVD deaths should actually stick" sense. I think it needed to happen to advance the narrative of The Vampire Diaries Season 4 as we head into the spring, and had he miraculously come back, it would've cheapened last week's climactic raising of Silas.

Miranda: Actually, yes. I didn't realize I'd grown so fond of Elena's annoying kid brother. But wow. It's a little dusty in my house after watching that. Ditto Steve, though. It had to happen. Some deaths just have to stick and perhaps that realization will be what pulls Bonnie back from the brink of disaster.

Leigh: Last week I was, but he was pretty dead after Katherine and Silas were through with him. Plus, Vampire Diaries spoilers revealed there would be a life altering tragedy and Jeremy was Elena's last living relative. This week wasn't a surprised, but was powerful nonetheless.

Vampire Diaries Round Table logo

Who should Jeremy date on The Other Side, Vicki or Anna?
Matt: Wait... Lexi is on The Other Side, right? Lexi, Jeremy. You should totally aim high and set your newfound, muscular sights on Lexi.

Steve: Why limit himself. The Other Side is notorious for kinky supernatural threesome action.

Miranda: Anna. Hands down, no question. Anna.

Leigh: They're both deceitful... how about someone new? I'm sure Grams has some hot young witches to introduce him to.

What is your favorite Jeremy Gilbert memory?
Matt: That first time he died. No, maybe that second time he died. Although that third time he died was pretty awesome, too. Let's just say every time he kicked it with the ring on - and we all knew he'd return and just be really annoyed over it - was pretty darn funny.

Steve: When he finished off Kol. Members of The Five come and go over the centuries, but with that Original kill, this young hunter really made his mark (see what I did there?! Up top.).

Miranda: Jeremy and the crossbow-meat cleaver, vampire slaying combo. That moment was when he began to show promise as a character.

Leigh: Tough call. I can't think of anything specific but I became fond of Jeremy when he started standing up for his family, kicking ass, and taking names...and wearing beaters. Amen.

Sadder death: Jeremy or Alaric?
Matt: Sorry, Jer Bear, it's Alaric. Last night was sad stuff and I'll miss you and everything - but that concluding scene with Alaric? Outside the cave? When we panned around to see all his loved ones silently say goodbye? I need a drink and a hug just thinking about it.

Steve: To me, Ric, because I loved his character so much. For the core characters - with the exception of Damon who probably does miss his drinking buddy more - it's hard to argue Jeremy's demise won't be even more devastating.

Miranda: Ooh, tough one. Alaric's death gave us man tears from Damon, but Jeremy's gave us man tears from Matt (in that sweet new truck he's affording with all the double shifts he pulled while everyone else was traipsing through the wilderness!). I'm calling it a tie.

Leigh: Please, I cry when I watch the rerun of Alaric's death. That whole scene outside the tomb with everyone holding candles was so emotional. Ric was truly a fan favorite of mine. Jeremy's death was definitely sad in the sense that Elena's last relative was a goner and he was a good kid, but he wasn't Ric.

And, of course, pen a eulogy for Jeremy Gilbert.
Matt: A man of many affections, from Vicki to Anna, Xbox to dinner at the Grill, you rarely smiled, yet often soared. Through the air when getting in the way of supernatural beings, that is. But you rarely backed down. You were a loyal brother to Elena and BFF to Matt. And you totally tapped Bonnie! May you cross bow in heaven until your heart is content, dear pal. One love.

Steve: Jeremy Gilbert. Stoner. Brother. Friend. Wearer of wife-beaters. Crush of many adolescent females. Lover of life ... well not really. Dude was kind of depressed. But through it all, a good guy with a big heart - and later in life, with bigger biceps as well. He meant well, and cared for those around him. May you find peace, or whatever it is peeps on The Other Side do all day. Gonna miss you man.

Miranda: Jeremy Gilbert, descendant of a crazy man, seer of ghosts. Vampire hunter. We'll miss your new muscles and shirt-ripping capabilities as much as Elena will miss the only family she had left. Matt says thanks for all the tables. Rest in peace in the great stoner pit in the sky.

Leigh: RIP, younger Gilbert. You were a wonderful brother, friend, hunter, ghost portal and wife beater-wearer. As much as we will all miss you, I think Mystic Grill might miss you more because, damn, they are understaffed.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/02/the-vampire-diaries-round-table-stand-by-me/

The San Gaudioso Catacombs and Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità, Naples, Italy

A few days ago, I visited the San Gaudioso Catacombs and the Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità above it in Naples, Italy.

The catacombs were in use by at least the 5th century, though much of its current features date from a 17th Century baroque "rediscovery and intervention." They are located deep in the Capodimonte hillside, which was the traditional burial place in Roman days; here, in a series of warrens constituting what was once a vast necropolis, Pagans and Christians--who coexisted peacefully in Naples, unlike Rome--were interred side by side.

The nearby San Gennero catacombs (8th down), which I had visited the day before, boasted an underground church in the which zealous Christians would worship surrounded by rotting corpses placed in a series of niches to "dry" (i.e. be reduced to skeletal material). San Gaudioso had no such chapel, but it had something even more interesting: a room filled with arresting frescoes of life-sized and costumed skeletons topped with what looked like real human skulls (images 3, 4 and 5) as well as a very handsome and striking life-sized fresco of anthropomorphized Death (image 1-2) with His attendant symbols, topped also with a real human skull.

To my astonished questions, my guide explained something along these lines (quote from The Catacomb brochure):

One of the peculiar practices of the Dominicans was embedding skulls of certain people in the walls of the ambulatory and depicting their bodies with frescos, accompanied by explanatory, chronological notes indicating the social status of the deceased. The Dominicans created a true gallery of the macabre in their exhibition of the skulls of aristocrats and clergy. These include Lady Sveva Gesualdo, Princess of Montesarchio; a praying Dominican, and in front of him a representation of Death (the image I sent)  dominating time and power with a crown, sword and sand-glass; magistrate Diego Longobardo; Marco Antonio d'Aponte; Scipione Brancaccio; and Florentine painter Giovanni Balducci who, in the 17th Century, did a whole series of paintings os which only traces remain...

What the brochure did not mention, but which my guide explained to me upon further questioning, is that the Dominicans also chose an anonymous skeleton to serve as "the guard of the catacombs." This took the form of a full human skeleton crudely set into the wall (see 6 down). Also, (if I understood my guide correctly), all the little niches you see would have been filled with bones that have only as recently as 1984 been moved to the Cimitero delle Fontanelle (more on that in a future post) on orders of the Archbishop, who thought it was no longer appropriate to have such macabre artifacts on display in this important artistic and historic site. This room also had a wonderful fresco depicting the souls in purgatory--a Neapolitan favorite, also to be explored in a future post.

Stay tuned for more posts about the ever-astounding Naples as soon as I have the time to put them together!

All photos are by my own; Image details, top to bottom:

  1. Fresco of Death personified topped with real human skull, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  2. Detail, Fresco of Death personified topped with real human skull, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  3. Skeleton fresco topped with human skull, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  4. Skeleton frescoes toppe
    d with human skulls, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  5. Male and female frescoes topped with human skulls, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  6. Dominican "Guard of the Catacombs," San Gaudioso Catacombs,
  7.  Fresco of souls in purgatory, San Gaudioso Catacombs, 17th Century
  8. San Gennero Catacombs
  9. Entryway to Basilica San Gaudioso Catacombs, Santa Maria della Sanità
  10. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  11. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  12. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  13. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  14. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  15. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità
  16. Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità

Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-san-gaudioso-catacombs-and-basilica.html

A Few Slots Left for "The Art and Science of Preserving Animal Specimens at Home…D.I.Y Style" with Susan Jeiven

We have just a few more slots left for Monday's D.I.Y. Wet Specimen class with the fabulous Sue Jeiven! If you are interested, please email Laetitia Barbier at Laetitia [at] atlasobscura.com!

Full info follows:

The Art and Science of Preserving Animal Specimens at Home...D.I.Y Style!
Lecture and Wet Specimen Workshop with Susan Jeiven
Date: Monday, February 25
Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
Admission: $75
Observatory: 543 Union Street (at Nevins), Brooklyn, NY 11215

Presented by Morbid Anatomy
***Must RSVP to Laetitia [at] atlasobscura.com to be added to class list; 15 person limit
This class is part of the Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

In this class, Susan Jeiven--instructor of our popular Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class--will teach students the arcane art of wet specimens, or organic material suspended in liquid preservative such as formalin, with the aim of preserving that within for ongoing study and contemplation. These stunning artifacts fill natural history, medical and anatomy museums; deceptively simple to the eye, they, in fact, demand special skills to do properly. These skills are generally taught only in professional apprenticeships rather than classes for the general public.

Tonight's class will begin with a brief illustrated lecture showcasing the history of artful preparations, featuring such artists of the specimen as 17th century doctor, dissector, museologist, and wet specimen innovator Frederik Ruysch. Following, Jeiven will lead students in the creation of their very own wet specimen in a vintage jar. Students will also learn to make beautiful labels with waterproof ink using the classic scientific system. All students will leave class with their own finished piece, and the knowledge to source their own materials and create their own pieces in the future. They will also learn how to care for and maintain their pieces.

All materials will be provided, and all animals are ethically sourced.

Directions:

R train to Union Street in Brooklyn: Walk two long blocks on Union (towards the Gowanus Canal) to Nevins Street. 543 Union Street is the large red brick building on right. Go right on Nevins and left down alley through large black gates. Gallery is the second door on the left.

F or G train to Carroll Street: Walk one block to Union. Turn right, walk two long blocks on Union towards the Gowanus Canal, cross the bridge, take left on Nevins, go down the alley to the second door on the left.

More info here.

Image: Photo by Elaine Duigenan, bat specimen from The Hunterian Museum; from her "Mysteries of Generation" series. More here.Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-few-slots-left-for-art-and-science-of.html

Pole Ka’s Anatomies II

Pole Ka Cutting 3

Pole Ka Cutting 2

Pole Ka Cutting 1

Pole Ka Sur Le Murs

Pole Ka Coloriages

Pole Ka Momento Mori

We’ve featured the work of paris-based artist Pole Ka before and if you attended OBJECTIFY THIS, you’ll remember seeing one of her fabulous pieces in the show. Here are a few of her more recent whimsical anatomical drawings to feast your eyes upon.

Her anatomical inspiration comes from growing up with parents who were doctors, of which she says,

I’ve always drawn and I had a special affection for the skeletons being kid…I’ve always had my nose in books of medical imaging. My family is steeped in the medical community, this is a great source of inspiration.

View more of Pole Ka’s work at poleka.fr and an awesome interview with her at culturetoi.com!

 

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

Wonderful Napoli (and Apologies)

... I really wanted to rediscover Naples, the most macabre of cities. Naples, the mouth of Hades. The dead are played with there like big dolls...
--The Necrophiliac, Gabrielle Wittkop

Sorry for the radio silence. I have been busy rediscovering what might well be my favorite city on earth--Naples, Italy. More soon. I promise. For now--some photos to tide you over.

Thanks very much to Mark Splatter for recommending tje wonderful book from whence the above quote is drawn.Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/wonderful-napoli-and-apologies.html

Macabre Saints and "Holy Bones," From the Book "Several Ways to Die in Mexico City," Kurt Hollander

 

Just before I left New York, Kurt Hollander--Mexico City-based writer, photographer, filmmaker, editor and translator--sent me a copy of his new book Several Ways to Die in Mexico City: An Autobiography of Death in Mexico City. I was so taken with it that I asked if I could publish an excerpt, along with a series of his photographs of unusually macabre saints and martyrs featured in the book. Thankfully for us, Mr. Hollander kindly obliged; text (slightly abridged) follows and images--all by Kurt Hollander--above:

Holy Bones

After the conquest of Mexico, the Catholic Church, which viewed all indigenous beliefs of life after death as superstition and blasphemy, prohibited Aztec burial ceremonies and quickly monopolized the afterlife, establishing itself as the indispensable intermediary between life and eternity. Just as it altered the way natives were to live, the Spanish Conquest radically transformed the way human beings in Mexico City died and the way in which their bodies were disposed.

A Catholic death in Colonial Mexico consisted of a funeral service presided over by a priest and with the corpse being buried in a grave. Before they were laid into the ground, however, the eyes and mouth of the deceased were shut, the body covered in a white sheet or cloth, placed in a wooden coffin and stretched out in the same way as Christ when taken down from the cross (on one’s back, arms crossed over the chest, one foot on top of the other). The coffin was then carried from the deceased’s home and mourners carrying torches (symbolizing the soul) accompanied the coffin into the church. The corpse and tomb were sprinkled with holy water to keep the deceased’s soul safe from the devil and the priest prayed for their safe passage into heaven.

In Mexico, funerals were often national events of the highest order. Between 1559 and 1819, dozens of major funeral services were held in Mexico City for local archbishops and royalty (as well as funerals in abstensia for the kings, queens and popes in Spain). The funeral pyres that housed the noble corpses, usually erected inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, provided the centerpiece of the elaborate ceremonies. These funeral pyres, also called catafalques and commonly referred to as death machines, were multi-floor temples covered in black cloth and gold leaf and often constructed in the shape of a pyramid. Prominent architects, sculptors, painters, poets and artisans adorned these death machines with images, figures and texts depicting the life and death of the dearly departed (accompanied by skeletons and skulls). More than just mourning a public figure, these funerals served to illustrate the divine status of certain human beings. According to the Catholic Church, death is punishment for one’s sins. Sins, however, affect more than just a person’s death and the final destination of their soul, they also affect their physical remains.

As the state of a corpse revealed the spiritual purity and divinity of the departed, the preservation of the bodily remains of the ruling elite was an important affair. Perfume and anointing processes (a nice word for embalming) ensured that the mortal remains of these personages did not give rise to gossip or speculation. Either as the result of natural gases or from post-mortem procedures, the corpses of religious figures that eventually mummified instead of becoming worm meat stood a much better chance of attaining sainthood, and they also provided living proof that Catholics, if they live a righteous life, can attain immortality in their death.

When these grand funeral processions ended, certain of the personage’s body parts (eyes, heart, liver, intestines, bones) would be donated to different churches or convents where each body part would receive its own elaborate funeral ceremony. Post-mortem organ and skeletal donations were warmly welcomed, although churches and royalty often bought body parts on the black market, as well.

The physical remains of saints have always been considered holy relics, believed to possess curative, even magical powers. No matter how small the fragment, each relic contains all of a saint’s miraculous power. As the existence of holy relics within a church meant an increased influx of worshippers and alms, there was a great demand for such objects. The wealthy in Mexico would often pay large sums of money to obtain body parts or relics of saints, which conferred not only social distinction but also provided their owners with extra spiritual blessings. To meet the demand, priests began to hack up the corpses of Christian saints into increasingly smaller bits.

Relics are given Latin names depending upon their origin: corpois (from the body), ex capillus (hair), ex carne (muscle), ex ossibus (bones), ex praercordis (stomach or intestines), ex pelle (skin) and ex cineribus (ashes). Body parts of saints, including their bones, blood or cremated ashes, are considered first-class relics. Second-class relics are a saint’s clothes or religious accessories, while items that have come in contact with the body or grave of a saint are referred to as representative relics. Many exotic body parts or paraphernalia from saints and religious figures have been collected and are prominently displayed in the Vatican and other reputable houses of worship, including: mother’s milk from the Virgin Mary; Christ’s circumcision knife and foreskin (14 churches claim that theirs is the one, true foreskin); the tail of the donkey that Christ rode into Jerusalem; a sneeze from the Holy Spirit and a sigh from Saint Joseph. The holiest of all relics in Mexico, safeguarded within the Metropolitan Cathedral, is a splinter from the cross Christ was crucified upon.

After the Conquest, a large number of saints’ body parts were sent by boat to Mexico to help convert souls in the New World. The arrival of these relics would often be accompanied by a large procession from the port town of Veracruz all the way to Mexico City. Relics are still very popular, and major collections travel from church to church around the world, bringing in the crowds of faithful who believe that proximity to the bones and other sacred scraps will provide them with miracle cures. (In order to receive blessings or pardon from the saints, the Church insists that worshippers must approach these relics without any morbid curiosity.) Pope John Paul II, who passed away in 2005, had somewhat of a revival in 2011 when a vial of his blood was flown to Mexico
City and displayed in churches around the country.

The Chapel of Relics, located within the Metropolitan Cathedral, contains the skeletons, craniums, molars, hands, fingers, feet, intestines, hair and bones of 150 saints, including Maria Magdalena, Saint Gonzaga, Saint Francis, Saint Augustine, as well as a few of the legendary 10,000 Virgins. Within the exquisitely carved wooden floor-to-ceiling altar inside this chapel lie two wax figures of women encased in elaborate glass cubicles. These life-size figures are themselves merely display cases for the bits of bone that are set within their wax bodies, a window having been sewn into their clothes to permit them to be seen. Several bone fragments are also displayed within gold and silver hands and trophies and inside framed tapestries.

Like Catholic saints, Mexican political leaders also have a history of being brutally murdered. Depending on which history you believe, Moctezuma was killed either by an angry mob throwing rocks while he was paraded around on a roof by Cortés, or he was stabbed in the groin by Cuauhtémoc as punishment for allowing himself to become Cortés’ chicken boy. The great warrior Cuauhtémoc became emperor of Mexico-Tenochtitlan after Moctezuma’s successor Cuitlahuac died from small pox, but he was soon captured by the Conquistadores trying to escape the siege of the city in a canoe dressed as a woman, and was tortured and eventually murdered.

Miguel Hidalgo was shot by a firing squad in 1811, as was José Maria Morelos in 1815, both leaders of the Mexican Independence movement. Mexico’s Emperor Agustin de Iturbide and President Vicente Guerrero were both shot and killed by a firing squad in 1831, and Emperor Maximilian and President Miguel Miramón were also both shot and killed by firing squad in 1867. President Manuel Robles Pezuela was assassinated in 1873, President Francisco I. Madero in 1913, Emiliano Zapata in 1919, President Venustiano Carranza in 1920, Pancho Villa in 1923, and President Álvaro Obregón in 1928. Colossio, the man who would have been president in 1994, was shot and killed (the mystery of his murder has never been cleared up although his predecessor, ex-President Carlos Salinas, is generally believed to have been behind the assassination).

Death is not always a leader’s last act. Emperor Maximilian’s corpse was embalmed in order to keep it from rotting on its way back to Mexico City, but during the trip the coffin fell out of the cart and his corpse was thrown into the mud. In Mexico City, his body was embalmed once more and black glass balls were placed in his eye sockets. His corpse was by then so degraded that even his own mother couldn’t recognize him. The doctor who performed the second embalming and others who passed through the room he was kept in stole several items of his blood-stained clothes, the bullets extracted from his body, and even some hair off his head and chin. The bronze cast of Emperor Maximilian’s face, the table upon which the second embalming was performed, and the coffin he had been transported in are currently displayed in three different museums, while the face cast and the deathbed of Benito Juarez, the man who killed Maximilian, are exhibited in the National Palace. The bones of Emperor Iturbide are currently on display in the Metropolitan Cathedral, while Anastasio Bustamante, the man responsible for bringing Iturbide’s bones back to Mexico City, requested his own heart be plucked from his body and placed in an urn to be buried alongside Iturbide...

You can find out more about this fantastic book--and order a copy of your own!--by clicking here. All photos are © Kurt Hollander and are drawn from the book. You can find out more about Kurt by clicking here.

Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/holy-bones-from-book-several-ways-to.html

Open Spots in Two Raccoon Head Taxidermy Classes–Feb 23 and March 2– with Rogue Taxidermist Katie Innamorato

We have one open spot available for each of our two previously sold out raccoon head taxidermy classes--One this Saturday, February 23 and the other the following Saturday, March 2.

If anyone is interested in either slot, please email Laetitia [at] atlasobscura.com as soon as possible! The slot will go to the first respondent.

Full details follow:

Raccoon Head Taxidermy Class with Rogue Taxidermist Katie Innamorato
Date: Saturday, February 23 and March 2
Time: 11 – 5 PM
Admission: $350
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

This course will introduce students to basic and fundamental taxidermy techniques and procedures. Students will be working with donated raccoon skins and will be going through the steps to do a head mount. The class is only available to 5 students, allowing for more one on one interaction and assistance. Students will be working with tanned and lightly prepped skin; there will be no skinning of the animals in class. This is a great opportunity to learn the basic steps to small and large mammal taxidermy. All materials will be supplied by the instructor, and you will leave class with your own raccoon head mount.

Rogue taxidermist Katie Innamorato has a BFA in sculpture from SUNY New Paltz, has been featured on the hit TV show "Oddities," and has had her work featured at La Luz de Jesus gallery in Los Angeles, California. She is self and professionally taught, and has won multiple first place ribbons and awards at the Garden State Taxidermy Association Competition. Her work is focussed on displaying the cyclical connection between life and death and growth and decomposition. Katie is a member of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, and with all M.A.R.T. members she adheres to strict ethical guidelines when acquiring specimens and uses roadkill, scrap, and donated skins to create mounts.

Her website and blogs-
http://www.afterlifeanatomy.com
http://www.afterlifeanatomy.tumblr.com
http://www.facebook.com/afterlifeanatomy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/afterlifeanatomy

More here.Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/one-open-spot-in-this-saturdays-raccoon_19.html