An exhibition designed and curated by Paul Hardy The Animal Kingdom and Its Influence Kaleidoscopic Animalia: As Glenbow’s artist in residence for 2015, The subject of this exhibition is also an An exhibition designed acclaimed Calgary-based fashion designer opportunity to reflect on societal views towards and curated by Paul Hardy Paul Hardy was inspired by our vast collection the use of animals for things such as fashion, to curate an exhibition on how animal imagery and how those views have changed through Our bond with animals has existed in several forms: and symbolism have influenced human creativity time. Like many museums, Glenbow’s collection from a primeval interplay of hunter versus prey; to an across time and cultures. contains historical objects made from evolution with fibers, textiles and tanning; to utilitarian now-endangered species, or materials no needs for farming and transport; to a union in sports, Paul has brought a unique curatorial and longer considered acceptable for use, regardless entertainment and the domestication of pets; and to a Contents design perspective to Kaleidoscopic Animalia. of purpose. In displaying these historical artifacts, visual appreciation of animal aesthetics as seen in arts Animal-inspired artifacts and artwork from every our aim is to encourage thought and discussion and interiors. Trapped in Tradition 2 area of the museum’s collection are juxtaposed about the history associated with those items, Artificial Tundra 4 with iconic fashion items and original designs Paul changes in values and how we see our place in the Regardless of the reason, it is evident that this created for the exhibition. It is this kind of unique world relative to other species. alliance has permeated every facet of the landscape Beyond the Looking Glass 6 of life – design in particular. In view of this subject’s insight into the collections that we hope our artists Eclipsed Wings of Freedom 8 in residence will discover during their residency, The complex relationship between people and transcendent impact in global society, as Glenbow’s and then find a way to share it with visitors. animals is revealed in the social, symbolic and artist in residence, I opted to gleefully examine the Everything Isn’t Always Black and White 10 historic influence animals have had on design and artistic expression of many cultures. It is our Abundant Life 12 This exhibition is engaging on many levels. hope that Kaleidoscopic Animalia will prompt culture, with highlights reflecting the multiculturalism In some of the windows, Paul purposefully chose conversations about consumption, conservation, of Canadian Life. Sized Up 14 to mix items from different cultures as a way creation, inspiration, art and design. to highlight the universal appeal of animals; My desire in creating this exhibition was to startle the Harvie’s Blue Plate Special 16 illustrate the significance of animals to many viewer by creating a collision with tradition, and by Beastly Fetish 20 different cultures; or emphasize the timeless desire presenting a fresh outlook on how we view this influence – whether functional, fashionable or both – for in art, interiors, lifestyle, music and pop culture. On with the Show… 22 animal-inspired products. My intention, although elusive in meaning, is to Man’s Best Friend 24 One can also appreciate the aesthetics of the art, engage viewers’ minds and eyes by demonstrating a Homestretch 26 knowing historicism reflected in the items selected artifacts and fashion presented and consider G’Ma’s Curio Cupboard 28 each item individually – how was it made, what from Glenbow’s collection, and by presenting a visual materials were used to make it, and what about kaleidoscope of contemporary life punctuated by Curtain Call 30 colour and design? There is also the cultural animal influences. Positioned for a Z-twist Spin 32 significance of these items – who made them, how and when were they used and what importance - Paul Hardy did they have in the time and place where they were created? And, of course, consideration of the animals represented – whether through form or materials – invites us to question the significance of animals to a particular time and culture. KALEIDOSCOPIC ANIMALIA 1 Trapped in Tradition Canadians’ relationship with animals is ingrained in our history. This window is a unique portrayal of these deep-rooted connections, referencing the fur trade and the importance of the beaver; 2. the influence of animals in our provincial and territorial identities; and how animal imagery is used to brand products we consume every day. 1. Emblazoned on each province and territory on this map • Alberta: The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is Alberta’s is a logo for a product (made in that province or territory) official mammal. Prehistoric remains have been found in that uses an animal as a way to brand that product. most of the river valleys across Alberta, showing that at one time some of the largest herds of Rocky Mountain The Canadian marketplace is filled with products that bighorn sheep roamed the province. use iconic animals (and their associated characteristics) 1. • Saskatchewan: The sharp-tailed grouse is a popular game to help market food (cheeses, creams, packaged fish) bird and does not migrate south for the winter. and beverages (coffees, wines and beers) from across the • Manitoba: The bison is featured prominently on the country. Our thanks to each of these companies for allowing shield in the centre of Manitoba’s coat of arms. us to reproduce their logos here. 4. • Ontario: The common loon can be found on many lakes • Yukon: Yukon Brewing, Rapscallions Cousine and rivers in the province. • Northwest Territories: Sapsucker, Sapsucker Birch Syrup • Quebec: The snowy owl is one of the largest species of owl in the world. • Nunavut: Truly Wild, Truly Wild Arctic Char • New Brunswick: The black-capped chickadee is a small, • British Columbia: Phillips Brewing, Amnesiac tame acrobatic bird. 3. • Alberta: Grizzly Paw Brewing, Rutting Elk Red • Prince Edward Island: The blue jay is common on the • Saskatchewan: Paddock Wood Brewing, Loki Double IPA Island throughout the year. • Manitoba: Half Pints Brewing, Isolator Dopplebock • Newfoundland: The woodland caribou, found • Ontario: Kensington Brewing Co., Baldwin Fish Eye throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, was adopted • Quebec: Fromagerie Les Folies Bergères, Le Jupon Frivole by members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment as their animal mascot. • New Brunswick: Picaroons Brewing Company, Feels Good Imperial Pilsner 3. Paul Hardy designed this custom corseted gown, made • Nova Scotia: Laughing Whale Coffee from Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) wool point blankets • Prince Edward Island: Upstreet Craft Brewing and trimmed in beaver fur repurposed from a vintage Commons, Czech Style Pilsner beaver fur coat, as a nod to the role of the HBC – and the Trapped in Tradition • Newfoundland: Screech Rum, Screech Rum beaver – in Canada’s history. List of Artifacts, Artwork and Fashion (Collection of Glenbow unless otherwise noted) 2. Each Canadian province and territory has chosen an animal 4. The mannequin is holding a beaver fur muff (ca. 1950s) – Top row, from left to right – Raven by Chief Henry Speck: watercolour on paper, undated; Gyrfalcon by Louis Agassiz Fuertes: watercolour on paper, (sometimes a bird, mammal or both) to help form part of a reference to the beaver’s importance in the founding of undated; and Big Dog by Lizzie Saggiak [artist], Iyola Kingwatsiak [printer]: stonecut on paper, 1963 their identity. Featured on this wall are images of 13 of these the first colonies in Canada and in the expansion of the Middle row, from left to right – Steller’s Jay by Allan Cyril Brooks: watercolour on paper, 1913; Adult and Yearling Mountain Sheep by William Jacob Hays: animals by some of the most highly regarded wildlife artists country through the fur trade. In the late 1600s and early oil on canvas, undated; Sharp-Tailed Grouse by Frank L. Beebe: gouache on paper, undated; Bird by Bruno Bobak: woodcut on paper, undated; of their eras, including Allan Cyril Brooks (1869-1946); 1700s, beaver fur hats were the fashion of the day, resulting Snowy Owl by John James Laforest Audubon: mechanical reproduction, undated; Blue Jay by Louis Agassiz Fuertes: gouache on paper, 1921; Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874-1927); William Jacob Hays in the demand for beaver pelts. There were an estimated six and Caribou Study by William Jacob Hays: oil on board, undated (1830-1875); and John James Audubon (1785-1851). million beavers in Canada before the start of the fur trade; Bottom row, from left to right – Buffalo Study by Albert Bierstadt: oil on canvas, undated; Chickadee by Dale DeArmond: woodcut on paper, 1980; during its peak, 100,000 pelts were being shipped to Europe and Osprey by A.W. Seaby: woodcut on paper, undated • Yukon: The raven is seen everywhere in Yukon and is an intelligent bird and an opportunistic feeder. each year. But due to changes in fashion and silk fabric On the mannequin – Muff: fur, ca. 1950s; Hat: sealskin and sateen, ca. 1900-18; Custom Paul Hardy corseted gown made from Hudson’s Bay Company • Northwest Territories: The gyrfalcon is the largest of the being a cheaper alternative to beaver felt, by the 1840s silk wool point blankets and trimmed with beaver fur from a vintage beaver fur coat falcons and breeds throughout the tundra. hats became the fashionable choice. • Nunavut: The Canadian Inuit dog is called Qimmiq in Inuktitut and, from archaeological evidence, is known to Since 1867, the beaver has appeared on the official coat of have been resident in the Arctic for at least 4000 years. arms of the Canadian Government and it acquired official • British Columbia: The Steller’s jay is found throughout status as an emblem of Canada in March 1974. BC and is a lively and smart bird.