Elephant in the Room: Small Talk, Big Issues
Explore NHM’s iconic 100-year-old diorama halls after-hours with Elephant in the Room, a bold new discussion series that tackles thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial, topics in the museum world and elsewhere. This year’s theme pulls back the curtain on the artistry, science, and controversies surrounding the museum’s beloved installations, providing a platform for dialogue and discovery. The inaugural series complements NHM’s latest exhibition, Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness, offering a fresh perspective on these iconic and historic displays. Through this lens, you’ll:
- Explore the evolving role of dioramas in addressing critical issues in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation––and their lasting impact on those fields.
- Uncover how dioramas combine immersive art and scientific accuracy to educate and inspire while focusing on the ethical issues surrounding dioramas .
- Gain behind-the-scenes insights from the artists and scientists who brought these scenes to life over the decades.
Join us for an evening of art, science, and storytelling like no other!
Upcoming Events:
THE MANY FACES OF CONSERVATION
Thursday, March 20 | 6–9 pm
Engage in a discussion on changing perspectives in conservation science. Dr. Yewande Pearse leads a panel featuring producer and artist Lauren Schoth, creator of The Ever-Changing Flow, along with Dr. Daniel S. Cooper, Principal Conservation Biologist at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, Heidi Lucero, Indigenous Anthropologist at California State University Long Beach, and Rudy Ortega Jr., Tribal President of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.
Conservation work is as important today as it has ever been and recent natural disasters only amplify how critical conservation efforts are. In this eye-opening discussion, explore the ways in which art, science, and culture can inform the future of conservation. From artistic representations in museums, to boots to the ground research, and indigenous knowledge, conservation is a community effort. How can differing perspectives work hand in hand to tackle the biggest challenges facing conservation efforts today?
