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Exhibit description: The Idaho Museum of Natural History is touring a major new
exhibit that tracks the unfolding perceptions of a big, bizarre prehistoric whorl-toothed
shark. Although first described in 1899 from a fossil whorl found in the Ural Mountains
of Russia, most of the world’s still-rare specimens of Helicoprion have been unearthed in
Idaho’s phosphate mines. In 2013, a significant breakthrough led by Idaho State
University researchers collaborating with modern shark specialists and a Helicoprionobsessed artist shed important new light on the weird animal.
The exhibit presents a wide array of spectacular Helicoprion fossils integrated with
original artworks by Alaskan artist Ray Troll. Also featured are a dramatic life-sized
model by renowned paleo-sculptor Gary Staab of the shark bursting through a museum
wall, a mechanical interactive jaw, children’s activities, whirling gobo lights, a digital
aquarium, original music, a short documentary and more. Fun for the whole family, the
exhibit is a unique combination of science, art, music and humor that explores the many
ways people come to know the natural world through fascinating animals and the quest to
unravel a provocative mystery.
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21 original artworks by Ray Troll
1 hand-painted mural (8 x17’ long rolled canvas) by Ray Troll
2 large life-sized sculptures of Helicoprion by Gary Staab of Staab Studios
7 spectacular IMNH Helicoprion fossils plus 4 fossil casts
3 vinyl banners with original Ray Troll artwork
2 Gobo lights (with stylized Helicoprion whorls)
Easy to read informative text panels
2 flat screen television sets with digital content
Humorous short-documentary film about the artist, Ray Troll
Whorl-patterned “art couch”
Interactive Helicoprion jaw model
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7 hand painted exhibit cases with Plexiglas vitrines and locking screws
Sound system with original soundtrack music
Transparencies for custom wall graphics
Plus additional casts, labels, and more! (The cheeseburgers are included at no
extra charge)
Participation fee: $ 17,500 for a sixteen-week period plus the cost of in-bound shipping.
Specifics:
• 2,000 square feet (can be suited to fit almost any shape gallery larger or smaller)
• At least 9 ft. ceiling clearance is required
• A member of the institution’s staff is required to be in the gallery at all times
visitors are present (can be a volunteer as well)
• This show also has the option to be expanded to 5,000 square ft. with the addition
of a companion exhibit called “Sharkabet,” which is currently being traveled by
the Miami Museum of Science.
Number of Crates:
• TBD (fits in one freight truck)
Exhibit support: Educational and programming resources, publicity kit, list of fossils
specimens included in the exhibit, and access to IMNH paleontologists.
Books and other merchandise available for purchase: Companion books by Ray Troll
include Sharkabet: a Sea of Sharks from A to Z, Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway with Dr.
Kirk Johnson, Something Fishy This Way Comes, fossil maps, magnets and T-shirts.
Exhibit photos can be seen at:
http://www.trollart.com/trollart_toplinks/galleries/tacomaexhibit/index.html
http://www.trollart.com/trollart_toplinks/galleries/helicoshow/index.html
Exhibit artwork by Ray Troll can be seen at:
http://www.trollart.com/trollart_toplinks/galleries/helicoprion/index.html
National Geographic news story from 2013 about the breakthrough IMNH research
on Helicoprion:
http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/26/buzzsaw-jaw-helicoprionwas-a-freaky-ratfish/
Seattle Times Front Page Article:
http://seattletimes.com/html/picturethis/2023893244_whenacuisinartswamthesea.html
Tacoma Tribune front-page article:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/06/24/3258979/sharks-everybody-into-thezoo.html
Gary Staab’s “Making of the Whorl Tooth Shark” short film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fvUtnZ4lvw
A clip from Marc Osborne’s documentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94HFvSDWB2Q
For more information contact:
Ray Troll, artist: [email protected]
Dr. Leif Tapanila, IMNH paleontologist. (208) 282-3565 [email protected]
Curt Schmitz, IMNH, registrar, 208-282-2603:[email protected]