{"id":1045607,"date":"2013-04-30T03:52:57","date_gmt":"2013-04-30T07:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.immortalitymedicine.tv\/anatomy\/tonight-masonic-slapstick-with-mike-zohn-of-oddities-forthcoming-topographical-anatomy-morbid-curiosity-taxidermy-hair-art-dance-of-death-and-insects-london-morbid-anatomy-prese.php"},"modified":"2024-08-17T17:24:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T21:24:44","slug":"tonight-masonic-slapstick-with-mike-zohn-of-oddities-forthcoming-topographical-anatomy-morbid-curiosity-taxidermy-hair-art-dance-of-death-and-insects-london-morbid-anatomy-prese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/anatomy\/tonight-masonic-slapstick-with-mike-zohn-of-oddities-forthcoming-topographical-anatomy-morbid-curiosity-taxidermy-hair-art-dance-of-death-and-insects-london-morbid-anatomy-prese.php","title":{"rendered":"Tonight: Masonic Slapstick with Mike Zohn of "Oddities!" Forthcoming: Topographical Anatomy; Morbid Curiosity; Taxidermy, Hair Art, Dance of Death and Insects; London… Morbid Anatomy Presents This Week and Beyond!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tonight (Tuesday, April 30th) we hope to see you at our \"Masonic Slapstick\" event devoted to the work of the DeMoulin Brothers, leading makers of Masonic and other lodge \"initiation prank devices;\" this event will feature an illustrated lecture by John Goldsmith, Curator of the DeMoulin Museum, along with a special one-night-only exhibition of initiation devices curated by Mike Zohn, co-star of TV's \"Oddities\"<\/a>.<\/p>

In the following weeks, we will also be offering classes in taxidermy, Victorian mourning hair art, anthropomorphic insect shadow boxes, and Dance of Death linocuts. If none of this intrigues, perhaps you might enjoy our newly announced lecture on “topographical anatomy” with the amazing Michael Sappol<\/a> (May 23) or an illustrated lecture with professor Eric G Wilson<\/a> about the history and science of \"morbid curiosity\" (June 6); or perhaps a special London-based 2-month series of events, workshops, special backstage tours, screenings and spectacles surveying the interstices of art and medicine, death and culture (June 2 - July 25).<\/p>

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Full details for all follow. Hope to see you at one or more of these terrific events!<\/div><\/div>

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\"\"<\/a>Masonic Slapstick - The DeMoulin Brothers and their Odd Initiate Prank Devices<\/b>
An Illustrated lecture by John Goldsmith, Curator of the DeMoulin Museum accompanied by a one-night-only exhibition of initiation devices curated by Mike Zohn, co-star of TV's \"Oddities\"<\/a>
Date: Tuesday, April 30th
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $8
Presented by Morbid Anatomy<\/a>

Between 1890 and 1930, hundreds of thousands of men belonged to the Masons, the Elks, the Kiwanis, or another of the over one hundred lodges which provided American men with a social outlet, a sense of importance, and sometimes even health and life insurance. One way these many lodges competed for members was with the use of inventive, theatrical and unlikely gadgets used in lodge initiations.<\/p>

In 1892, Ed DeMoulin, a small town photographer who had more than a passing interest in the gadgets of the day, founded the DeMoulin company which went on to become one of the leading manufacturers of these lodge initiation devices. The DeMoulin brothers (Ed, U.S. and Erastus) held patents on many of the best known of these including \"The Lifting & Spraying Machine,\" \"The Lung Tester,\" and \"The Low Down Buck Goat.\" The DeMoulin’s motto was “Fun in the Lodge Room” and there’s little doubt that these water shootin’, electric shockin’, blank firin’, collapsin’ devices could do the trick.<\/p>

Who were the DeMoulin brothers? And how did they become the zany geniuses behind these lodge initiation pranks? Tonight John Goldsmith, curator of the DeMoulin Museum, will share their story and demonstrate some of the devices. He’ll also provide a virtual tour of the DeMoulin Museum. There will also be a one-night-only mini exhibit of initiation devices curated by Mike Zohn, co-star of TV's \"Oddities.\"<\/a><\/p>

John Goldsmith<\/a> is curator of the was the DeMoulin Museum<\/a>. He was also a consultant on Catalog 439: Burlesque Paraphernalia<\/i><\/a> published by Fantagraphics in 2010 and The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions<\/a><\/i> published by Perigee in 2011. The DeMoulin Museum has been featured on KSDK’s “Show Me St. Louis” and WSEC’s “Illinois Stories”.
Mike Zohn<\/a>--co-star of TV's \"Oddities\"<\/a> and co-owner of Obscura Antiques<\/a>--is a long term DeMoulin enthusiast and collector.<\/p>

Image: \"The DADDY Uv-Um ALL,\" parade goat by The DeMoulin Brothers.
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\"\"<\/a>Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop with Former AMNH Senior Insect Preparator Daisy Tainton<\/b>With Daisy Tainton, Senior Insect Preparator at the American Museum of Natural History
Date: Saturday, May 11th
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Admission: $75
***Tickets MUST be pre-ordered by clicking here<\/a>
You can also pre-pay in person at the Observatory during open hours.
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy<\/a>

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 doing 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; 1:12 scale work best.<\/p>

BEETLES WILL BE PROVIDED. Each student receives one beetle approximately 2-3 inches tall when posed vertically.<\/p>

Daisy Tainton<\/a> <\/b>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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\"\"<\/a>Naturalistic Squirrel Taxidermy Class with Divya Anantharaman<\/b>***** This is a 2 part class
Dates: Sunday, May 12 AND Sunday, May 19
Time: 12-3 PM
Admission: $250
Advance Tickets Required; Click here<\/a> to purchase
Email divya.does.taxidermy at gmail dot com<\/a> with questions or to be put on wait list
Class limit: 5
This class is part of the Morbid Anatomy Art Academy<\/a><\/p>

In this intimate, hands-on class (limited to only five students), we will study the nutty ways of the squirrel! Students will create a fully-finished classic squirrel mount in a natural sitting position. Students will learn everything involved in producing a finished mount - from initial preparation, hygiene and sanitary measures, to proper technique and dry preservation. The class will teach how to use and modify a pre-made form to suit the nuances of each unique animal. The use of anatomical study, reference photos, and detailed observation will also be reviewed as important tools in recreating the natural poses and expressions that magically reanimate a specimen. A selection of natural props will be provided, however, students are welcome to bring their own bases and accessories if something specific is desired. All other supplies will be provided for use in class.
This class is now split in two sessions. Each student will leave class with a fully-finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.<\/p>

Also, some technical notes:<\/p>