If you’re looking for a wild time for the kiddos this school year, you’ll find it (and a yellow submarine and a Star Wars Tauntaun) at DFAC’s “Zoo-topia” takeover of the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum. With 45 activity stations and three additional display cases with objects related to the theme of animals, Zoo-topia provides a treasure trove of education wrapped in grrrrrreat fun!
What was the starting point for imagining Zoo-topia?
Usually, a basic theme or focus comes from the Exhibitions Department of Catherine Bergman and Nathan Beard which [this time] was animal related. From there, I start the dance with what was, is and what can be.
Who helped you realize the vision?
The overall vision develops from my previous experiences through life and travels coupled with 23 years of changing/creating the DLM space. I look to see what activity stations/environments can be brought back to life in a different theme (examples would be like the yellow submarine was originally a space shuttle…then an aborigine hut…then a submarine…then a monster mouth, then a French café/bakery then a mad science lab and on and on till it turned back into a submarine).
The Summer Academy kids and instructors worked with “Zoo-topia” as one of the themes in summer camp to add to the overall look and feel. In the past, my father-in-law, Andy Von Eitzen would help with building, painting, and troubleshooting but sadly he passed last fall. Bob Hartman helped with securing the big screen TVs in the safari tent while Ashley Williams and Shannon Pattee helped with painting, setting up and distributing activity materials and placing signage.
What all is going on in here? Tell us about the animals and interactive experiences:
My favorite areas are the safari tent, and the yellow submarine. Both areas create an exciting environment for drawing and Gyotaku (fish prints). The videos showcase animals in 1. warmer regions like Africa, Caribbean, Galapagos, etc. 2.
Cooler regions like Antarctica and Churchill Canada. And 3. Underwater from all around the world. These videos were shot by my wife and me. The deep-sea diver telling dry underwater jokes while you draw on a Greek vase is also a fun one.
What’s up with the blacklight?
When the kid’s area moved down to the newly constructed space in 2010, we had a space exhibit called “Blast OFF” and the ceiling light fixtures turned into giant black light solar panels for a space station. Since then, I have been adding upgrades—thanks to the Pougialis/Anastasakis Foundation for Art, Sterling Society, Dunedin Youth Guild and more—upgrades like black light cannons, interactive floor computers, new theater lighting, touch screens, iPads, etc. The black lights work in conjunction with traditional lighting and scenery to transport the space to a magical place.
Any fun behind the scenes stories to share?
Being that it is an art environment, I have a friend of the Art Center who donated a giant fan-made Tauntaun costume based on The Empire Strikes Back. I am always trying to use and work with donated items, so I incorporated it into the projection screen drawing activity. The trick was to get this giant costume weighing a considerable amount, assembled, up and over track lighting resting securely on top of an “ice shelf” that the yellow submarine is peaking up through.
What do you hope visitors will come away with?
To appreciate how lucky we are to live in a world with such diverse and interesting, colorful, textural critters and to be inspired by a unique environment that was created from re-purposed items and materials that you can easily find around you.
Care to divulge your spirit animal and its meaning?
Not so much spirit animal since I associate the idea with Native Americans or other indigenous peoples but I do have some favorite animals. I like the monkey because they seem fun and mischievous, panther for being strong, graceful and mysterious, octopus because they just look and move cool and finally the shark as it is efficient, graceful and misunderstood.
Interview & Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz