Blaschka Invertebrate Models Relocated to Museum of the Earth for Extended Exhibition
Blaschka Invertebrate Models Relocated to Museum of the Earth for Extended Exhibition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2024
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PRI Marketing Dept.
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Dr. Leslie Babonis, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Cornell University
Email: lsb257@cornell.edu
(ITHACA, NY– September 5, 2024)
Cornell University and the Museum of the Earth are pleased to announce that Cornell’s collection of Blaschka Invertebrate Models, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and scientific accuracy, will be temporarily relocated to the Museum of the Earth. This move comes as Corson Hall, the previous home of the collection at Cornell University, undergoes significant renovations.
The models were created by father-and-son artists Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka and purchased by the University in the 1880s. They are celebrated for their detailed and lifelike representations of soft-bodied marine invertebrate animals such as jellyfish and anemones. They are both historical educational tools and magnificent works of glass artistry.
During the renovation period at Corson Hall on the Cornell University campus, which is expected to span the next 3-4 years, the Museum of the Earth will host the Blaschka models in a special exhibit. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for the public to explore these extraordinary pieces in a new and engaging setting.
“I’m delighted that this magnificent collection will be appreciated by so many people now that it is housed at the Museum,” said Dr. Leslie Babonis, Assistant Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Curator of the Blaschka collection at Cornell University.
The Museum of the Earth, known for its dynamic exhibits on the history and diversity of life on Earth that frequently unite art and science, will provide a fresh perspective on the Blaschka Models. Visitors will be able to appreciate both the intricate details and scientific significance of the models within the museum’s broader mission to inspire a better understanding of the natural world.
“We are honored to host the Blaschka Invertebrate Models and to share these remarkable works with our visitors,” shared Warren Allmon, Director of the Museum of the Earth’s parent organization the Paleontological Research Institution. “This exhibit will highlight the intersection of art and science, showcasing the Blaschkas’ unparalleled skill and contributions to both fields.”
The Blaschka Invertebrate Models exhibit is now open at the Museum of the Earth and will be on display during the Corson Hall renovations.
For more information about the exhibit and the Blaschka Invertebrate Models, please visit www.museumoftheearth.org/blaschka-glass-invertebrates.
About the Paleontological Research Institution
The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) pursues and integrates education and research, and interprets the history and systems of the Earth and its life, to increase knowledge, educate society, and encourage wise stewardship of the Earth. PRI and its two public venues for education, the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center, are separate from, but formally affiliated with Cornell University, and interact closely with numerous University departments in research, teaching, and public outreach.
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