Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Battles Cuddly Invasion

The Globe recently reported that, since a humane-trapping law went into effect in 1997, Massachusetts beaver populations have exploded to Biblical plague levels. The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has even found beavers moving into highly developed areas and, on February 7th, Shintaro Miyake will build a lodge in the Fens. The Japanese artist's first U.S. exhibition will feature a pond and beaver village installation in MassArt's Sandra and David Bakalar Gallery.

Known for creating "fantastical and enveloping universes inhabited by friendly cuddly beings," Miyake donned a fuzzy costume to play the part of Beaver in his first nature "documentary" film on his visit to MassArt in September ’05. He’ll be engaging, in beaver suit, in an active three day drawing sub project on the gallery wall to complete “Beaver No Seikatsu (Life of Beaver)”. (In past
shows, he has dressed up as a blue sky with clouds and attacked a pink cardboard city as a pink Godzilla-like monster.) Visitors to the exhibition, which runs until March 18th, may peruse a Beaver Souvenir Stand and a Natural History Museum of Beavers, a collaboration with Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology. We're stiting back all proud-like knowing that we made it through this whole post without a single beaver pun.

Opening reception Tuesday, February 7, 5-7 p.m at the Sandra and David Bakalar Gallery 621 Huntington, Boston. Installation lasts until March 18, 2006 (but if you want to see Miyake in beaver suit show up for the opening).

Post contributed by C. Fernsebner. Photo by Stefan Epprecht.