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Thought this paper  by Jon Coe was very interesting

Just become aware of this organisation http://www.isaz.net/

I was fascinated last night by the  ‘Interspecies’  contemporary art exhibition which opened at  the Cornerhouse, Manchester UK recently  See: http://www.artscatalyst.org/projects/global/interspecies.html. It will tour to London, Edinburgh and Northumberland, and, I understand  new work thereafter will allow it to extend to other venues

This has been put together by a remarkably innovative organisation called Arts Catalysts that puts together projects that bridge the art and science worlds

http://www.artscatalyst.org.

Art Galleries are places of exhibition and encounter, and so are (good) zoos.  Forward looking zoos also constantly look for new ways to engage and challenge the quite massive and inclusive audience that visit them ( far larger and more democratic, I am afraid, than most contemporary art venues).

Is there an opportunity to somehow merge the two approaches in some way?

http://zoowork.blogspot.com/

Most international professional communities have a programme of regular events whereby they come and physically display the latest most exciting developments in the appropriate field. ( as distinguished from a conference or symposium as interchanges solely of people and ideas)  The art world has its Biennale, science promotes international science festivals, the film community get together and show films, etc.

Yet, despite the fact that our ‘product’ in one sense is actually a physical display, I don’t know that in any sense ( it could involve filmic, photographic or 3d representations rather than anything with live animals) the zoo world has done this.  The botanic and horticultural sector, perhaps our nearest equivalent,  does it of course all the time.

Is this because of understandable sensitivities around the movement of animals ( although as above this might not be required) or simply because we are not a big enough global industry – otherwise our suppliers would have already organised it for us – to sell us stuff!!

Have you ever been to the sea?  For a holiday, or a day out, maybe?

Have you ever just stood and looked at it?  Got in it?  Walked beside it? 

Have you ever simply sat and gazed and the waves, at the seabirds, at the patterns made in the sand, at the cliffs or marshlands, at the other people enjoying themselves, at the way the colours of the sea and the sky play together..?

Good, isn’t it?

And it doesn’t need bloody interpretative panels telling the kiddies how much salt there is in it. Or broken interactive games on tidal fluid dyamics.  Or f…. ing puppet shows about Captain Birdeye!!!

If children – or anyone – are at all receptive , on the basis of the natural wonder at the sea or elsewhere, to learning more, to learn more, they will seek themselves seek out the information ( and by all means let  make this as easy to find as possible).

The thing that draws people in their increasing millions to zoos is the sight, smell, sound and actuality of live animals.  The very fact of an elephant is wonderful enough, and doesn’t require smothering and debasing in prosaic and vulgar ‘educational’ packaging

We are aware that much of the zoo and aquaria audience is driven by the interest of children (  – I remember some interesting research years ago that showed in fact that it is young girls in particular that disproportionately stimulate a decision to visit).

We are also know that inevitably many people cannot but help but view the animal characters they encounter through the lens of one or other form of fiction. In fact, it is hard to think of a classical children’s work of literature that doesn’t prominently feature animals.

Is there something the zoo community has missed here? Of course, it is important that we provide some form of objective information on animal life, rather than promote sentimental and anthromorphic cliches. It is also true that all the great fictional animal icons are jealously guarded intellectual property. One can hardly badge a bear enclosure as Paddington Bear, or name ones’s elephant after Bar-Bar.

However, given that that fictionalisation is inevitably one of the great avenues whereby the public approaches and engages with the entire animal world,  is there some alliance with this world, or  some greater, more imaginative borrowing of  its techniques that could both increase our audiences, and perhaps boost our educational output?

In the final analysis, after all a zoo exhibit and an ‘animal book’ do  exactly the same thing – tell stories to the public about animals – just in different media.

John

I remember someone at EAZA referencing this idea a few years ago: a grouping of zoos established back in the 19th or early 20th centuries, situated in the centre of large cities.  Such organisations would typically have certain common assets and problems:

• old buildings and structures probably past their useful life but with important heritage and community links
• possibly national preeminence as the zoo in their country’s capital city
• parking, access and similar problems being surrounded by busy cityscapes
• a special degree of national and community affection,  and  a sense of history , place and tradition that other newer zoos might not quite claim

 Unfortunately I have never been able to track down the originator of this beguiling idea ( which may well open access to funding in some form)

 Anybody out there ever heard of this before?  Any comments on the idea?

 This is a new site largely of interest to USA zoo visitors, but with some international dimensions.  The following is their own email message

The magazine will be accompanied by eNews, a weekly newsletter sent via email. Subscription to eNews is free, and we encourage you to submit items that would be of interest to our readers including new or discounted trips, humorous events, and interesting wildlife encounters. To subscribe to eNews please visit our web site at http://www.zandavisitor.com/enewssubscription.To submit items for eNews, please email us at eNewsEditor@zandavisitor.com.