Art & Nature
By Marcelle Gianelloni
Have you ever noticed objects like masks , statues , and other cultural reminders when visiting the Zoo ’ s exhibits ? Most of us first look for the animal we ’ ve come to see — but hopefully , you ’ ve taken the time to look around and see some of the “ props ” that have been included to immerse you not only into the animal ’ s habitat but also into a part of the world far away .
One of my mentors over the years , Jon Coe , taught me a great deal about the importance of “ cultural resonance .” Jon Coe has been a planning and design expert for over thirty years . His firm , CLR design , Inc . was the firm that helped us design the award-winning Islands and Gorilla Forest exhibits . There are many factors that go into designing zoo exhibits : animal welfare and care , safety , visitor viewing and interpretative messaging . It ’ s also important to create a story line , signage , and cultural connections . We want to connect you , our guests , to the issues of today ’ s conservation efforts and help you be part of the solution . Conservation measures , many of them community based , are key to the future of ecosystems around the world and people must play a part in the story . It all goes back to the Zoo ’ s mission “ to better the bond between people and our planet .”
Above : I . Wayan Puja ,
( center ) creator of many sculpture pieces found outside temples in Bali , was teaching his son this generational trade when they met Marcelle .
At Right : Marcelle with sculpture at the Zoo
In the “ Islands ,” guests are transported to many exotic places around the world . Did you notice the Indonesian theme ? The outdoor exhibits , Kebyar House and Banjar House , look like a meeting place or a home in Bali . Look around and observe the patterns , masks , wooden windows and sculpture pieces . But , where did the artifacts come from ?
Two years before the opening of Islands in 1994 , my husband and I were heading to Indonesia . Jon Coe asked me if I would be willing to pick up a few artifacts for the exhibit while I was there . I agreed , not knowing that our trip would now include meeting artists in Yoyakarta ( Java ) and Bali . On your next visit to the Islands , look up in the Banyar and Kebyar Houses and you will see some created by artists in Bali . The wooden windows and batik
patterns also came from Indonesia . The batik materials were laminated and placed in the Kebyar House to create spaces for the interpretive signage . Indonesia is far away but through these pieces of art , we were able to bring the flavors of Indonesia to you .
Glacier Run was another wonderful challenge . I was fortunate to be able to visit Churchill , Canada , known as the “ Polar Bear Capital of the World ” with a few of our teens as part of a Polar Bear International education program . While there , I was able to do some research about local Inuit art . I really wanted
12 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Summer 2017