Scan barcode
A review by paperknotbooks
Dioramas by Blair Austin
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
“All dioramas were in some sense equally innocent. They were simply what they were.”
While this book is split between Animal & Human dioramas, the whole of the text feels like an exploration of what it is to be “human” and “alive.” I couldn’t help but reflect on my experience of seeing the Body Worlds exhibit back in 2013. There’s a shared vulnerability between the viewer (or reader), and the exhibited.
Part of this book is presented through an oral delivery of a slide presentation, and eventually exhibit tours of a converted town/natural history museum. I loved the delivery of the presentation, it took me by surprise. The examination of the town dioramas reminded me Mary Roach’s book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, and the question of how to deal with your corpse. There’s ethical, scientific, and caste repercussions. Either way, “I am a tourist.”
Thank you Dzanc for fulfilling my request to preview this book. I cherished my experience, and look forward to more works by Austin & this publishing house. 🖤
While this book is split between Animal & Human dioramas, the whole of the text feels like an exploration of what it is to be “human” and “alive.” I couldn’t help but reflect on my experience of seeing the Body Worlds exhibit back in 2013. There’s a shared vulnerability between the viewer (or reader), and the exhibited.
Part of this book is presented through an oral delivery of a slide presentation, and eventually exhibit tours of a converted town/natural history museum. I loved the delivery of the presentation, it took me by surprise. The examination of the town dioramas reminded me Mary Roach’s book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, and the question of how to deal with your corpse. There’s ethical, scientific, and caste repercussions. Either way, “I am a tourist.”
Thank you Dzanc for fulfilling my request to preview this book. I cherished my experience, and look forward to more works by Austin & this publishing house. 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death