The “Flora + Fauna: A Bounty of Beast and Botanicals” exhibit located in the Lilly Library at Indiana University Bloomington is open for spectators from February 6th to May 20th. The exhibit examines the relationship between humans and the natural world around them.
Since the beginning of humanity, plants and animals have been documented and depicted in many different ways. Cave paintings from as far back as 15,000 BCE show pictures of plants and animals, showing humanity’s fascination with capturing nature.
The exhibit is split into four categories including feast, fantastical, fearsome, and folio, all containing pieces that have to do with plants and animals in some way.
Drawing and paintings of plants and animals are not the only things in the exhibit. There are books made from various animal skins, cookbooks using unique combinations of ingredients, and even an ancient paper that features a curious cat’s paw print on it.
Reference librarian and co-curator Isabel Planton explains the process of creating and maintaining the exhibit.
Isabel Planton is one of the co-curators of the exhibit along with Erin Chiparo.
The concept of the exhibit was thought of by Jenny Mack, the museum exhibition specialist at the Lilly Library, according to Planton, and both curators took it from there.
“That idea was floating around the staff for a while. Erin was the one who thought we could split the gallery with one side being flora and one being fauna, and then it was just thinking of how to narrow it down even further,” Planton said.
Planton and Chiparo were responsible for selecting the material for the exhibit and deciding the orientation of each piece throughout the room. They also designed and wrote each label for the pieces.
After the initial set up, which can take weeks, daily work includes general upkeep and answering questions for visitors.
“Once installation is done, the cases are cleaned on the outside. But for the most part the pieces are just left to be for people to observe,” Planton said.
A description of the fauna section in the exhibit.
A variety of pieces located in the fauna section of the exhibit.
One of the smallest books featured depicting a cat in the fauna section.
A cookbook written for recipes using unique ingredients.
The largest artifact showcased in the flora section.
Artifacts ranging in size from a book that could easily fit in the palm of a child, to a spread almost as tall as an adult all capture the natural world in different ways. Some of the favorites include bright paintings of tropical fruits and a realistic drawing of a flying squirrel that captures the animal in motion.
The exhibit has been a success according to museum observers and workers, with many people letting the staff know their approval after visiting.
“It really connects you with nature in a way that I haven’t experienced before,” distingsuished IU professor, Roger Hangarter said.
Tours are offered to visitors that take them through the entire exhibit with explanations on many of the pieces. Not only do the tours detail the Flora and Fauna section, but they also explain other sections of the library. This includes the thousands of books, artifacts, and even puzzles all on display.
The exhibit will be retired with the end of the semester, so museum staff urges those interested to visit before it is gone.
