Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity
Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity showcases the amazing properties of skin across organisms and examines the layers of societal meanings associated with human skin color.
Specimen display: scaly skin protects animals including the Texas horned lizard, ground pangolin, red-tailed hawk, and western diamondback rattlesnake.
Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity features dozens of eye-catching specimens from the California Academy of Sciences collections, such as a rare black rhinoceros and pangolin. Specimen displays highlight skin’s adaptive function and role as a living interface between organisms and their environment.
Abundant tactile opportunities invite visitors to experience their own skin’s sensory capacities.
This multisensory, multilingual exhibition also includes historical artifacts, data visualizations, and video to explore how human skin color, concepts of race and racism, and inequalities intersect in U.S. society.
In partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition began a North American tour in 2021.
A black rhino specimen near the exhibit entrance commands attention and inspires curiosity and excitement.
Dramatic contrasts of dark and light and vibrant macro photography create a dynamic environment.
Specimen display: A nine-banded armadillo, radiated tortoise, saltwater crocodile, and yellow boxfish all have bony plates within their skin.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Type & Size
Temporary / Traveling Exhibition
4000 - 5000 square feet
Location
Temporary exhibition: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Traveling exhibition: North American tour managed by Science Museum of Minnesota
Project Role
Director of Exhibit Development: project & editorial direction, coaching and supervision of experience and content developers, liaison with C-suite decision-makers, collaborate on marketing and communications planning.
Collaborators
California Academy of Sciences: Exhibit Studio, Creative Studio, Curatorial & Collections, Visualization Studio, Experience Engineering, Interactive staff
Fabrication: John Murray Productions
Tour modifications & management: Science Museum of Minnesota
A large mural of human faces introduces the science of human skin color and celebrates its variation.
Image credits (all): Kathryn Whitney © California Academy of Sciences