Just in case...

The Guardian's Apocalypse Survival Guide.

Biblical...

Steve Bishop, Suspension of Disbelief, Taxidermied fox, fluorescent
tubes, electronic ballasts in wood and perspex housing, wires 170 x
170 x 160cm, 2007 , In the collection of J. Helgesen, Oslo

I heart Mark Dion

Mark Dion has recently emulated the eighteenth-century American naturalist, William Bartram, and traveled through the South to collect stuff. Spiel:

Once on the road, Dion will collect specimens and man-made artifacts found in the landscape, which has clearly changed a great deal since the Bartrams’ travels 200 years ago. In keeping with Dion’s longstanding interest in “mail art,” he will send his findings back to Bartram’s Garden. The artifacts and specimens will be installed in souvenir cabinets that Dion will be designed and built for the exhibit in John Bartram’s historic house.

The website that catalogues the project is great.

Collecting, taxonomy, world making, kitsch

Lest we forget

Fire!

Quick, bury your valuables!

I'm an In Our Time addict. I even hoard the podcasts on my lapdog. Last week's show focused on the Great Fire of London - I found it really interesting, especially in light of our CofC course. A few weeks previous to this they did a show on the Baroque - a truly excellent introduction to the topic if, like me, your art history lacks a little ecstasy.

The definition of collection...

has obviously already been given to us.

a trove which contains:
- gadgets and gizmos aplenty
- whosits, whatsits galore
- twenty thingamabobs
- etc.

collection

I wish I had written my paper about this song instead.