Specimens
by Anne Grant, Nicola Hooper & Chrys Zantis
Zantis created her Specimens installation in response to her love of curiosity cabinets where the obscured and grotesque sit comfortable alongside with the beautiful and charming. Cabinets of curiosity and wonder rooms of the Victorian era were often categorized as Naturalia (specimens of nature) Artificialia (specimens of man including textiles, coins, weapons, furniture, and prints), and Scientifica (scientific instruments). The dream specimens cross the line and borrow parts from each other. New and absurd classifications are created not unlike what can be found in the scientific world of genetic engineering.