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Birds of a Feather …
The study and representation of birds have occupied humankind across the ages, continents and cultures. Birds have been observed, depicted, collected, caged, dissected and preserved by visual artists, scientists, writers, ornithologists and musicians. They have inspired music, stories and myths, and they have served as links to and symbols of other worlds.
What is it that fascinates us so about birds? They exist in the visible world, in nature, while occupying an infinite domain. They are real and ephemeral - they offer a feast of colour and form but can disappear as quickly as they appear before our eyes. We marvel at the intricate engineering of their nests and their sublime patterns of courtship. For earthbound creatures like ourselves birds are free like the air, unlimited in their movements. Since recorded history there have been winged figures and creatures and attempts to fly like birds. A sky without birds and birdsong is motionless and mute. They tantalise and satisfy our senses; their plumes decorate our bodies and our environments and give meaning and magnificence to ritual and religion. They remain mysterious and enigmatic and occupy our dreams, yet they can concretise the world of the spirit and in some cultures they have come to be divine messengers of the human soul and human fate.
The title of the exhibition, 'Birds of a Feather…' is inspired by the idiomatic expression "birds of a feather flock together" and serves here as a metaphor for, and celebration of, the coming together of the vast and rich collections that now comprise Iziko Museums of Cape Town. The exhibition explores the universe of birds from the beginning of time until today; it brings together, as does Iziko, nature and culture. The viewer will encounter exquisite phenomena of nature and extraordinary artefacts created by human hands and be stimulated and challenged to a greater, and different, understanding of science and art. The archaeopteryx takes us back to a time before human life; the bones of the extinct Dodo remind us of the great diversity of species (some 8,600) there once was, and of the threats that we as human beings pose to nature, biodiversity and ecology. Museum methods and displays come under the spotlight. The exhibition also chronicles the way in which artists have been inspired to use and depict birds - from scientific illustrations and realistic paintings to imagined bird-like images; from political comment and expressionistic interpretations to surrealistic projections of dreams and desires.
In the atrium visitors will find a real, live component to complete this exhibition - owls generously made available by The World of Birds in a habitat created by the Public Works Department.
The material related to birds has been drawn from the following museums: Michaelis Collection, South African Cultural History Museum, South African Museum and South African National Gallery. It has enabled us to bring from our storage areas objects that have rarely, or never, been seen by the public. Many fascinating objects could not be removed from display and our visitors are encouraged to visit the other museums to view more avian treasures from the collections of Iziko Museums of Cape Town.
Jill Joubert, of the Frank Joubert Art and Design Centre, will lead an exciting education and creative project. Artworks produced by learners will be exhibited in the Annexe Gallery from 8 December.
Marilyn Martin
Curator