Vivarium

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Throughout history, people have collected nature for the purpose of being displayed in domesticated spaces. 17th century naturalists brought found specimens of nature into home collections. Natural history museums collect and replicate nature in mass quantities to be observed by public viewers. Today, nature has been fetishized into decorative man made objects of home décor. As humans have fetishized nature over time, it has gradually disappeared. An idea of nature has been artificially replicated to be made a product. The exhibition, Vivarium, points to society's longing to own nature and display it in the home. This work sells an idea of nature through painted samples of fur and photographed commodities. Although nature no longer exists in our lives, we believe that by purchasing decorative objects that resemble nature, it is still present. These objects give consumers hope that nature still exists.