You know how it is. You’re walking around the zoo, checking out the animals, and suddenly you’re like, “Whoa, these zebra stripes are gorgeous!” Or maybe the orangutan’s crazy hairdo inspires you. Next thing you know, you’re itching to bust out your sketchbook. We feel you. The creatures at the zoo can totally spark your creative spirit. That’s why we put together this guide to capturing their beauty through art. We’ll cover what supplies to pack, tips for drawing live animals, and how to use the zoo as inspiration even after you leave. Let your inner artist run wild on your next zoo trip!
An Introduction to Arts of Zoo
Arts of Zoo is a hidden gem in the city, tucked away in a historic warehouse. This contemporary art gallery showcases up and coming artists in a raw, industrial space.
Diverse Exhibits
At any given time, Arts of Zoo has multiple exhibits featuring various mediums – from avant-garde sculptures and vivid paintings to thought-provoking installations. There are new shows rotating every 4 to 6 weeks, so there’s always something fresh to experience. The diverse, eclectic mix of art means there’s something for everyone.
Beyond the Gallery
In addition to the gallery exhibits, Arts of Zoo hosts regular events like artist talks, live music performances, and creative workshops. They frequently collaborate with other local arts organizations to bring unique experiences to the community. Check their event calendar to see what’s coming up.
A Space for Creativity
The sprawling, open-concept warehouse that houses Arts of Zoo exudes an air of creativity. Massive windows flood the space with natural light, accentuating the texture of the original wood beams and concrete floors. It’s an inspiring place where you can immerse yourself in art and imagination.
Admission and Hours
General admission to Arts of Zoo is always free. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm, except for event nights when they stay open later. Arts of Zoo is a nonprofit organization, so any donations are greatly appreciated to help keep the doors open.
Overall, Arts of Zoo is a pioneering institution in the city’s art scene that cultivates creativity and brings people together through art. Pay them a visit and get inspired!
The History and Origins of Arts of Zoo
To understand Arts of Zoo, you need to know how this unique form of artistic expression came to be.
Around the mid-1800s, European explorers started bringing back exotic animals from their travels to populate newly established zoos and menageries. This sparked a fascination with wildlife that soon spread into popular culture.
In the late 1800s, posters, paintings, and sculptures featuring animals became all the rage. This art movement celebrating nature and wildlife became known as “Arts of Zoo”.
The Rise of Big Cat Art
Exotic big cats like tigers, lions, and leopards were particularly popular subjects. Images of these fierce felines conveyed a sense of power and danger that captivated viewers. Paintings and posters of regal big cats lounging, prowling, and roaring helped fuel public interest in zoo animals.
Sculptures Take Center Stage
As the Arts of Zoo movement grew, sculptors began creating life-size bronze statues of various beasts to display in zoos, museums, and public squares. These massive works of art brought zoo animals to life in an exciting new way and became tourist attractions in their own right.
A Lasting Legacy
Though the Arts of Zoo movement declined in the early 1900s, it has left a lasting legacy. Striking wildlife artwork and sculptures in this style can still be found in zoos, museums, and private collections around the world today. Arts of Zoo also helped inspire modern artists to explore and celebrate the beauty of nature.
The Arts of Zoo introduced exotic animals into popular culture in a creative way that shaped how we view and value wildlife today. This pivotal art movement gave rise to enduring works of art and fueled a passion for conservation that lives on.
Key Characteristics and Styles of Arts of Zoo
The Arts of Zoo movement encompasses a wide range of artistic styles, subjects and mediums. Some of the most well-known characteristics include:
- Bright, vibrant colors: Arts of Zoo art is typically very colorful, using intense shades of red, blue, yellow and green. The vibrant palettes are meant to evoke a sense of playfulness and whimsy.
- Distorted perspectives: Many Arts of Zoo works employ forced perspective, skewed angles, disproportionate figures or surreal juxtapositions of objects to create an exaggerated, fantastical style. The distorted perspectives are meant to spark the imagination.
- Whimsical themes: Arts of Zoo art often depicts whimsical, nonsensical scenes and subjects. Common themes include anthropomorphized animals, strange creatures, peculiar objects or fantastical landscapes. The whimsical themes are meant to evoke feelings of delight and amusement.
Within the Arts of Zoo movement, there are many distinct styles. Some of the most well-known include:
- Pop Zoo: Inspired by pop art, featuring bright colors, popular cultural references and mass-produced objects in whimsical, zoo-themed compositions.
- Surreal Zoo: Incorporates surrealist elements like strange juxtapositions, illogical scenes and bizarre creatures in fantastical, whimsical works.
- Fauvist Zoo: Characterized by bright, intense colors and simple forms, inspired by the Fauvist art movement. Scenes typically depict zoo animals and habitats.
- Cubist Zoo: Inspired by Cubism, featuring fragmented, abstracted forms and multiple perspectives in whimsical zoo-themed works.
The Arts of Zoo movement has produced a menagerie of colorful, playful artworks in a variety of whimsical styles. Though diverse, these works are united in their ability to spark imagination and evoke delight. The Arts of Zoo has enduring popularity and influence, inspiring generations of artists and art lovers.
Notable Artists and Artworks in Arts of Zoo
Arts of Zoo is home to many remarkable works of art by famous artists. Some of the most well-known pieces are:
- The Tiger by Henri Rousseau. This vivid jungle scene from 1891 is one of Rousseau’s most recognizable paintings. Despite never leaving France, Rousseau was fascinated by tropical landscapes and wildlife. His paintings are characterized by their bright colors, flattened forms, and dreamlike quality.
- The Hallucinogenic Toreador by Salvador Dali. This bizarre and cryptic work from 1970 depicts a Venus de Milo statue in a surreal desert landscape. Dali was a leader of the Surrealist movement, creating strange and thought-provoking paintings exploring the subconscious mind.
- The Son of Man by René Magritte. This iconic 1964 painting depicts a man in an overcoat and bowler hat standing in front of a cloudy blue sky. Magritte’s surreal and witty paintings often challenge our usual way of looking at things by placing familiar objects in unfamiliar spaces.
In addition to these renowned masterpieces, Arts of Zoo contains contemporary art from up and coming artists in a variety of mediums like multimedia installations, performance art, new media art with technology, and experimental films. Some notable current artists featured are:
- Cory Arcangel – Creates modified old technology and software in new ways for an amusing take on popular culture.
- Paul Chan – Works with video, drawing, performance, and publishing addressing issues of politics, literature, and philosophy.
- Ernesto Neto – Installation artist who creates interactive sculptures out of translucent fabrics that invite the viewer to touch, smell and engage with the work.
From Post-Impressionism to Surrealism to new media art, Arts of Zoo has a diverse collection sure to spark your imagination. There’s something for art aficionados and casual visitors alike.
The Impact and Legacy of Arts of Zoo
Arts of Zoo has had an enormous impact on architecture and design. Its innovative styles and forms have influenced building designs around the world. Many notable architects cite Arts of Zoo as an inspiration.
The open plan and minimalist style pioneered by Arts of Zoo revolutionized interior design. The simple yet elegant fixtures and furnishings have become popular and widely imitated. The Arts of Zoo esthetic is clean, uncluttered and focuses on natural light, open spaces and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor areas.
Arts of Zoo’s beautiful landscaping and masterful use of negative space have transformed landscape architecture and garden design. Its meditative rock gardens, raked sand gardens and pond gardens have popularized and spread elements of traditional Japanese garden design around the globe.
The Arts of Zoo has also greatly contributed to modern art. Its striking yet minimalist artworks have inspired many contemporary artists. The museum’s tranquil atmosphere and harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces have made it an iconic work of art in itself.
Arts of Zoo has enduring influence and timeless appeal. Its style and philosophy have spread internationally, yet the museum remains a profoundly unique place. Arts of Zoo is a living work of art that continues to inspire wonder and shape new ideas. It is a global cultural treasure and its impact on art, design, and architecture will be felt for generations to come.
Overall, Arts of Zoo has revolutionized architecture, popularized an elegant minimalist esthetic, transformed landscape design, and inspired contemporary art. Its style, philosophy and tranquil atmosphere have enduring influence around the world, cementing its status as a global cultural icon. Arts of Zoo’s impact and legacy in art, design, and architecture will live on for years to come.
Conclusion
You may have thought going to the zoo was just about seeing animals, but now you know it can be an amazing arts experience too. With incredible architecture, sculptures, exhibits, performances, and more, the zoo is bursting with human creativity alongside animal wonders. The next time you plan a zoo trip, go in with wide open senses, ready to appreciate all the arts that await you. Wander slowly, look closely, and let your inner artist come out to play. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation for zoos as spaces where science and art converge to open our minds. Who knows, you may even be inspired to create something yourself. However you experience it, the arts of zoos will give you new ways to see animals, humans, and the world we share.