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A wall of artifacts demonstrates three aspects of animal transformation.
In non-Western traditions, performers and participants of celebrations
and other rituals take on aspects or spirits of animals, insects,
birds, or imaginary beasts. In plays and choreographed dance,
performers and even scenery appear to be inspired by nature. In
some popular forms from pantomime to animation, animals take on
human characteristics
Franne Lee
"Basic bee" costume design for Saturday Night Live
(NBC, 1975)
Franne Lee Collection, Billy Rose Theatre Collection
Joseph Urban
Costume design for The Emperor of Crabs in The Garden of Paradise
(Edward Sheldon), 1915
Billy Rose Theatre Collection
Life of the Bee (Choreography: Doris Humphrey)
Photograph by Soichi Sunami of the Humphrey-Weidman Group, 1929
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
by permission of the photographer
Mamangmurka disguised as a wild boar
Photograph collected by Claire Holt of a scene from the Javanese
dance-drama Arjuna Wiwaha, ca. 1936
Claire Holt Collection, Jerome Robbins Dance Divisio
