What the fake!
- Thread starter Benosaurus
- Start date
Ultimately, it’s cost.
Speaking as someone who makes these kind of features, the work and skill involved is often underestimated. Often prices are given per square metre, so in a large enclosure, costs can easily rocket (for a large and authentic, intricate and time consuming job) or you can opt for an equally large but uninteresting blob that covers a similar footprint but with a much reduced cost. And sometimes, some zoos decide it’s all too expensive, and opt to do it themselves. I think that’s often when the ‘monstrosities’ you speak of are produced!
Sometimes outside forces can compromise the look of features. We once made some really authentic rocks for an exhibit, only to be told by the Health and Safety Officer that a safety handrail would be required on top in case the rocks needed to be cleaned! We managed to get around this by using anchor points for workers to tether to, but you get my point I’m sure. As for daft doorways - they’re often afterthoughts - and it will be because it was the cheapest way to do it!
Knowing many zoo curators, they hardly see the difference. Many come from the background of animal management, and don't see up-front a difference between kitsch and a good work. It is like a well designed house does not automatically cost more than an ugly house.
I also noticed that zoos mimic building design in the same city or a country. Zoos in Germany usually use very basic fake rock and commonest horticultural plants. Zoos in the Netherlands have some of the most sophisticated designs and plants. There is no obvious reason why it should be so. Berlin zoo and Tierpark are a nice study, because exhibits in the zoo resemble sophisticated museums of West Berlin, and Tierpark more basic East Berlin.
I also noticed that zoos mimic building design in the same city or a country. Zoos in Germany usually use very basic fake rock and commonest horticultural plants. Zoos in the Netherlands have some of the most sophisticated designs and plants. There is no obvious reason why it should be so. Berlin zoo and Tierpark are a nice study, because exhibits in the zoo resemble sophisticated museums of West Berlin, and Tierpark more basic East Berlin.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
What is it: Fake naked mole rat nest
Where is it: Emmen zoo, Netherlands
Which enclosure: ?
What year: 2018
Score: 4 out of 5
Nacked mole-rat-models | ZooChat
Additional comments: Looks like something out of a horror film, so it's pretty realistic.
I'm reminded of the "pale man" in Pan's labyrinth
That is horrifying!What is it: Fake naked mole rat nest
Where is it: Emmen zoo, Netherlands
Which enclosure: ?
What year: 2018
Score: 4 out of 5
Nacked mole-rat-models | ZooChat
Additional comments: Looks like something out of a horror film, so it's pretty realistic.
What is it: Fake Rocks shaped like Indian Rhino
Where is it: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Which Enclosure: Between White-Naped Cranes and Indian Rhino/Pere David's Deer in Asian Highlands
What Year: 2018
Score: 5 out 5
Blends in and most people don't even realize that it is in shape of a rhino's head. However once you point it out, people don't un-see it.
Where is it: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Which Enclosure: Between White-Naped Cranes and Indian Rhino/Pere David's Deer in Asian Highlands
What Year: 2018
Score: 5 out 5
Blends in and most people don't even realize that it is in shape of a rhino's head. However once you point it out, people don't un-see it.
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That undoubtedly looks fake as hell, but honestly (not trying to make debate) doesnt look half bad for the Lions.
That's some really impressive mock rock then!
I didn't even notice it when I visited
~Thylo
I've never been there. Im just basing my in information on what I see in the image, so not that accurate.That's some really impressive mock rock then!
I didn't even notice it when I visited
~Thylo
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
What is it: Fake giraffe
Where is it: Hillcrest Park Zoo, USA
Which enclosure: In front of Rothschild's giraffe exhibit
What year: 2015
Score: 2.5 out of 5
Rothschild's Giraffe Exhibit + Giraffe Statue - ZooChat
What actually is the purpose behind these kinds of statues ? are they "ornamental" ? for the public to take their pictures with ?
If they are "ornamental" they are quite hideous and more than a bit unnecessary given that you have the real living breathing animal that they are representations of nearby.
I don't think it is mock rock. It looks like a real outcrop which they have just stacked some smaller rocks on top of. It doesn't look like a rhino eitherThat's some really impressive mock rock then!
I didn't even notice it when I visited
Looks like natural rock to me too. And as to resemblance to a rhino? Bah!I don't think it is mock rock. It looks like a real outcrop which they have just stacked some smaller rocks on top of. It doesn't look like a rhino either
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
And that is the definition of good quality fake rock (looks like good gunite work to me)I don't think it is mock rock. It looks like a real outcrop which they have just stacked some smaller rocks on top of. It doesn't look like a rhino either
I don't think it is mock rock. It looks like a real outcrop which they have just stacked some smaller rocks on top of. It doesn't look like a rhino either
I was thinking the smaller rocks might be real and then the larger ones were fake.
~Thylo
Yeah, I didn't really see the rhino there either, I had to squint my eyes a bit.I don't think it is mock rock. It looks like a real outcrop which they have just stacked some smaller rocks on top of. It doesn't look like a rhino either
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
I have never known a sculptor to mix real and fake.
Thats a good question though. Is their any exhibit that you have seen that mixes both? That would be an interesting exhibit idea.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Well to be more specific, to mix as was suggested in this case. Sculptors often add real dead roots and branches and small rocks, pepbles etc to gunite sculpture
Looks like Dough
ChIkEn NuGrEt
Well-Known Member
I have a few to share from Fort Worth.