Cabinets of Curiosity opens at Calgary's Glenbow Museum
A strange world has opened at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary — one that visitors can explore with both their eyes and hands.
The creation of Edmonton artist Lyndal Osborne, Cabinets of Curiosity is an installation inspired by the 17th-century tradition of "Wunderkammer" (wonder-rooms). These collections and elaborate displays were essentially the precursors of museums filled with exotic curiosities, thrilling and macabre items and the natural wonders of the world.
Osborne herself is a collector, and her artwork is made from the natural material that she has gathered from both the Australian coast and Alberta's Prairie landscape.
"Some of it has a little bit of a dark feel to it, and others I think are very humorous," Osborne said. "Putting something that looks funny or whimsical next to something that implies threat or danger, I think it's great."
Emu eggs, rubber spiders, animal skulls and ant nests are just a few of the oddities that Osborne has put all together in one room. Many of the displays are built for hands-on exploration, something she hopes kids of all ages will enjoy.
"For kids, there aren't very many different exhibitions they can go to where they can actually touch things, get the feel of it. So I hope that's something they'll be excited by," she said.
Cabinets of Curiosity is open at the Glenbow Museum through to Jan. 17, 2016.
