Is this the most bizarre art project ever? Taxidermy class teaches students how to stuff dead mice and pose them up 'as if they were humans'

By JENNIFER MADISON

How do I look? A student poses her taxidermied mouse in front of a miniature mirror in an anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy class in Brooklyn, New York

It's not a hobby for the faint of heart.
But Susan Jeiven's class on anthropomorphic taxidermy has been sold out since December.
The one-day workshop, which teaches students how to stuff dead mice and pose them up as if they were humans, is becoming a popular pastime in New York.
White-haired mice styled in tutus and polka dot hair bows; their spindly paws strumming miniature guitars - even reading the New York Times - were photographed in Ms Jeiven's class last Tuesday.

Rocker mouse: The four-hour class is for people to learn the art of anthropomorphic taxidermy - the practice of mounting and displaying taxidermied animals as if they were humans

An educator and tattoo artist, she begins the four-hour lesson handing out the lifeless little creatures, having sucked out their blood with a syringe beforehand. A statement on the class website warns only feeder mice are used for the arts and crafts session.
Students gather around at the Observatory art and events space in Gowanus, Brooklyn as she takes them through each step of the process, from the first slice to the final stitch.

In today's news: Students pose their mice with tongues out and hair bows - and even a miniature front page of the New York Times


Curious: A mouse holds a miniature wine glass, another poses in a teeny tiny tutu

Masterpiece: Student Sara Stryjewski takes an admiring look at her taxidermied mouse

But strange or morbid as it might seem to some, anthropomorphic taxidermy – the practice of mounting and displaying taxidermied animals as if they were humans or engaged in human activities – has a long and storied history, beginning with the most privileged classes.
It was a popular art form during the Victorian and Edwardian eras; the best known practitioner of the art form being British taxidermist Walter Potter, whose works included The Kitten Wedding and The Kitten Tea Party, which the mind immediately wants to imagine.
An ad for the class promises to help students to create their own museum of curiosities.

Taxidermist: Tattoo artist and educator Susan Jeiven holds a dead mouse during her Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class on February 21

Gather 'round! Students look on as Ms Jeiven, right, demonstrates how to slice open her art project

Gather 'round! Students look on as Ms Jeiven, right, demonstrates how to slice open her art project

Stuffing: With intense focus, students stuff their dead mice in class

Halfway there: Student Sara Stryjewski sews up her mouse

Final touches: Sara Stryjewski wipes her little guy clean after wrapping his paws around a miniature guitar

Ready to go: Student David Edelman shows off his incision during the anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy class

Morbid, sir: Student Josh Klausner eyeballs the camera as he nuzzles his new friend

We're about to begin: Ms Jeiven hands out dead mice to her eager students

'Each class member will leave at the end of the day with their own anthropomorphic taxidermied mouse,' the website exclaims.
For those daring enough to partake in the hobby, not to worry, no former taxidermy experience is required.
They only ask you don't bring your own dead animal. Fair enough.

source: dailymail