extinct birds previously consumed by human press release

Extinct Birds Previously Consumed by Humans: From the Brink of Extinction to the Supermarket
A New Installation by Christy Rupp at Frederieke Taylor Gallery, January 17–February 16, 2008.

Frederieke Taylor Gallery is pleased to announce its fourth one person show with Christy Rupp. Rupp’s exhibition will include 13 life-size skeletal reconstructions of several species of birds for whom the trap door of survival has been slammed shut. Reconstructed primarily from chicken bones collected by the artist, extinct species include the Dodo, the Great Auk, the Moa, the California Condor, the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, and a small flock of Carolina Parakeets. All are life size and have been reproduced from observation.

This work ponders diversity and how we have come to accept living in a time of great extinction. Because environmental systems are much more easily destroyed than replaced, the work muses on the premise that once gone, species can be replaced by the use of human ingenuity and cleverness.

The sculpture was constructed with the assistance of numerous scientists and university websites, a visit to the American Museum of Natural History’s dark lockers, and many friends who have donated the remains of barbecues and holiday dinners.

Christy Rupp has been making artwork which puts the stain back in sustainability since the 1970s. From rats and snails to genetic engineering her work has traced the relationship of animal behavior to habitat. As we stampede headfirst over the chemical cliff of oil addiction, the artist has noted ways in which our perception of abundance shields us from the need for responsible consumption.

Christy Rupp is known as a social and political art activist. She participated in the legendary “The Times Square Show” and “The Real Estate show” of 1979-80 and was affiliated with Colab and Group Material. Her most recent shows include “Democracy Was Fun” at White Box Gallery, NYC; the “L.A. Road Show” curated by Larry Litt ; “The Downtown Show” at the Grey Art Gallery, NYC, curated by Carlo McCormick; “The Drop” at Exit Art, NYC curated by Amy Lipton & Jeanette Ingberman; “Hybrid Fields” at the Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa CA, curated by Tricia Watts; “Person of the Crowd”, curated byThom Collins, at the Neuberger Museum SUNY Purchase, NY and “Ornithology” curated by Barry Rosenberg at the Contemporary Art Galleries, U Conn, Storrs, CT.