Fabricating Wilderness
Explore a new book on the history of NHM’s habitat dioramas on sale this September
For a century, the immersive dioramas at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County have amazed millions of visitors and been featured in countless movies and music videos. Yet their story has never been told—until now.
Journey from the windswept glaciers of Greenland to the jungles of the Congo Basin with the scientists, adventurers, and artists determined to preserve endangered wildlife by re-creating the habitats of the world in the heart of Los Angeles. New research and surreal, never-before-seen historical images richly illustrate this behind-the-scenes exploration of some of the Museum’s most beloved exhibits.
- Discover the origin of dioramas and the turbulent early history of L.A.’s habitat halls.
- Learn how gifted artists painted captivating background murals and meticulously re-created every leaf and bird.
- See how the dioramas have changed and grown over the last 100 years.
The habitats are far from still lifes. Artists continue to update and improve them, fabricating new scenes that inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural world.
Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART, returns in September 2024, presenting more than 70 exhibitions from organizations across the region exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art