ELAINE WARNER
EDMOND — Usually when I write about museums, I encourage you to bring your children or grandchildren. Not so much this time — unless they have great attention spans and like to read.
Though the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is one of the best destinations for children, there are a couple of exhibits there now that fascinated me so much I wanted to read every single panel — something I couldn’t do with kids in tow.
Two of these exhibits, “Darwin at the Museum” and “Drawing the Motmot” close on Jan. 18, so time is limited to catch them.
On the origin of
Darwin’s work
“Darwin at the Museum” draws on the University of Oklahoma’s amazing History of Science collection in the Bizzell Library.
This collection is full of rare books, including all of Charles Darwin’s works. OU is one of the few institutions to possess a complete set of his 18 books in first editions. The books were removed from the library and brought, under armed guard, to the museum. The books are accompanied by a number of enlarged images of the illustrations.
This whole exhibition is part of the campus-wide observation of the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. This is the perfect time to get better acquainted with one of the world’s greatest scientists. Most people have at least heard of his “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.” This exhibition puts that book into the context of the totality of his work.
One of the earliest works is his “Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.” Published between 1838 and 1843 in several volumes, the book contains 180 lithographs, half of which were hand-colored. This magnum opus ranges from fossils and living mammals through birds and reptiles.
Darwin’s adventures began in 1831. Although his degree from Cambridge was in theology, he always had been interested in natural history and enjoyed association with experts in botany, geology and other endeavors during his college career.
Upon his graduation, one of these experts recommended him for the position of naturalist and captain’s companion to Capt. Robert Fitzroy of the H.M.S. Beagle. The around-the-world voyage took five years. Upon his return, Darwin abandoned his previous plan to become a parson and devoted his life to scientific endeavors.
The exhibition features a model of the H.M.S. Beagle. The actual ship was 100 feet long and 40 feet wide. The description card makes these figures understandable by adding that the ship was about the same size as the gallery in which the model is housed.
Observations, both zoological and geological, brought many questions about variety and variations of species. One of Darwin’s first publications dealing directly with change in species was published in 1851, the result of eight years of study of both fossil and living barnacles.
It was not until 1859 that Darwin’s thinking was synthesized into “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.” The exhibits in this area include reproductions of some of his original, hand-written notes, including a rudimentary “tree” diagram, dated 1837, and annotated with the words, “I think.”
Explanatory material notes that “Origin of Species” only contains the word “evolve” in one sentence at the conclusion of the book. The quote, which is displayed at the museum, provides insight into Darwin’s respect and awe of creation — “There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
Upstairs at the museum is a marvelous supplement to the temporary exhibition. A semi-permanent exhibition, “Explore Evolution” examines the work of seven scientists and their teams. Each of the areas of study is intimately entwined with principles based on Darwin’s investigations. Endeavors range from research on the HIV virus and demonstrated evolution of diatoms to comparisons of human and ape DNA.
Art meets science
Meanwhile, back at the temporary exhibits — the other exhibition to see before it closes in January is “Drawing the Motmot: An Artist’s View of Tropical Nature.” The exhibition features the drawings and paintings of nature artist Debby Kaspari, a Norman resident.
Kaspari has contributed to a number of scientific publications, textbooks, field guides and “Bird Watcher’s Digest.” The works in this exhibition were based on her studies in rainforests in Central and South America. With an artist’s eye and a scientist’s precision, she offers insight into the wildlife, particularly birds, from the forest floor to the tops of the trees.
One case shows how her field studio is set up. Video gives illustration to the actual setting and audio recordings bring the sounds of the jungle to the visitor. There’s even a video of her hands as she re-creates the jungle setting on paper.
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the marriage of art and science. Once you’ve seen it, go to her Web site, www.drawingthemotmot.
wordpress.com. You’ll find lots of art, lots of travel and even some poetry — truly the product of a Renaissance woman.
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is at 2401 Chautauqua Ave. in Norman. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. There is a small admission charge. For more information, check www.snomnh.ou.edu.
ELAINE WARNER is an Edmond resident.
