California Academy

[installation shots] [video documentation] [academy collections]

This installation was part of the exhibition "150 Years of the California Academy" at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco from February 2003 until January 2004. It was commissioned to poetically represent the transition of the old academy to its new architectural incarnation, designed by architect Renzo Piano.

By using traces of animals in transition (snake skins, butterfly chrysalis), "Sheds" and "Chrysalis" incorporated the scientific mission of the Academy as well as responding to the unique architecture and artifacts in the exhibition space.

In addition to the print installation, the exhibition included "Media Wall," an interactive multimedia piece. This work invited viewers to discover the depth and breadth of the Academy's collections, personnel and mission.