It’s a cruel world that allows children to become obsessed with their stuffed animals when later in life that same interest can seem so very odd.
At the third annual “Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest,” however, preserved animals will be prized as adult contestants show off their favorite homemade, purchased or found examples of expired, stuffed creatures. But if you’re thinking of going just to gawk, you might want to make other plans.
“We need specimens, not spectators,” said Michael Crewdson, one of the event’s organizers. “Last year’s party was standing room only, but I’d say there were 15 specimens.”
Any taxidermy is welcome — wet specimens are to be kept in jars, however — and all entries will be reviewed by the esteemed panel of judges: Darrine Lunde, collections manager for mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History; Robert Marbury, co-director of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists; and Dorian Devins, a curator at Union Hall’s “Secret Science Club.”
It’s about time, said Crewdson, that Brooklyn showed the same enthusiasm for taxidermy that is apparent elsewhere:“I guess New York City has to catch up with the rest of the country. It’s extremely popular.”
The “Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest” will take place at 8 pm on Nov. 2 at Union Hall (702 Union St. at Fifth Avenue in Park Slope). Free. For information, call (718) 638-4400 or visit www.unionhallny.com.
