Updates on the Morbid Anatomy Museum
In December, we told you (via DNAinfo) that Gowanus was getting a Morbid Anatomy Museum. It’s an expansion of the blog and website of the same name, run by artist and historian Joanna Ebenstein, which has produced lectures and workshops highlighting “books bound in human skin, postmortem photography, forgotten mail-order smut, pre-cinematic fright shows, 18th century Italian anatomical waxes, moulage making, Victorian hair art jewelry, and anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy.” Now we have some updates.
According to Tracy Martin, the CEO and Board Chair of the museum, the cafe, gift shop, and lecture space will open April 26th with a book launch party for the Morbid Anatomy Anthology. On June 6th, the first exhibition will open, honoring Victorian taxidermist Walter Potter, known for his anthropomorphic dioramas. That’s the same day that the new library will open, as well. Morbid Anatomy will renovate and occupy a three-story, 4,200 square foot building at the corner of 3rd Ave and 7th St., in Gowanus; demolition began today, according to Martin.
Recently, the group behind the museum launched a Kickstarter, which will go towards covering capital expenses, mounting the first exhibitions, and finishing the build out of the museum.
