Variation is the rule in n̶a̶t̶u̶r̶e̶
​habitats of The Mels

Individual variation is the raw material of self-evolution. Through s̶e̶l̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ changes to key identity traits p̶o̶p̶u̶l̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ Mels become different. This can either cause or resulti̶n̶g̶ in habitat and geographic variation. 

I̶n̶d̶i̶v̶i̶d̶u̶a̶l̶ Habitat variation

No two i̶n̶d̶i̶v̶i̶d̶u̶a̶l̶s̶ Mel habitats are exactly alike. They may differ in p̶a̶t̶t̶e̶r̶n̶ size, s̶i̶z̶e̶ cohabitatants, and s̶h̶a̶d̶e̶ local resources. Seeing these habitats in the same space brings to light the differences and similarities between The Mels. 1

Grab your explorer’s hat and set off on a w̶i̶l̶d̶l̶i̶f̶e̶ Mel-watching expedition. 2

Exhibition highlights:

A model of the birthplace of the first Mel-version, Melissa-Louise-Keiser, meticulously crafted from hand-dyed paper

Maps of The Mels' geographic variation and migration

Models of the objects each Mel-version chose to bring into her habitat 

Embark on an adventure through the s̶i̶g̶h̶t̶s̶ habitats and s̶o̶u̶n̶d̶s̶ artifacts of The Mels’ n̶a̶t̶u̶r̶a̶l̶ domestic landscapes.

Follow the b̶o̶a̶r̶d̶w̶a̶l̶k̶ exhibit to discover a̶n̶i̶m̶a̶l̶ Mel habitats from right here in the Midwest and across the Americas. At every turn, encounter a diorama scene of p̶l̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶i̶m̶a̶l̶ a Mel’s l̶i̶f̶e̶ home—and see if you can spot e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶c̶r̶i̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ the differences between them, down to the smallest b̶e̶e̶t̶l̶e̶ detail! 

From m̶u̶s̶k̶r̶a̶t̶s̶ Melissa-Louise-Keiser b̶u̶r̶r̶o̶w̶i̶n̶g̶ living in t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶r̶s̶h̶ a 3,390 square foot three-story house in the suburbs to s̶c̶a̶r̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶i̶b̶i̶s̶e̶s̶ Mel(v.6) s̶t̶a̶l̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ living in t̶h̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶o̶p̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶s̶h̶o̶r̶e̶ a 900 square foot condo in the city, these t̶a̶x̶i̶d̶e̶r̶m̶y̶ displays bring The Mels’ environments to life. The meticulously hand-crafted l̶a̶n̶d̶s̶c̶a̶p̶e̶s̶ dioramas and diverse a̶n̶i̶m̶a̶l̶ ̶g̶r̶o̶u̶p̶s̶ domestic co-habitants make N̶a̶t̶u̶r̶e̶ ̶W̶a̶l̶k̶ this exhibit an immersive habitat tour for all ages. 2

​A diorama masterpiece

Working as the F̶i̶e̶l̶d̶’̶s̶ Museum’s Chief T̶a̶x̶i̶d̶e̶r̶m̶i̶s̶t̶ Exhibit Artist from 1̶8̶9̶6̶ 2018 to 1̶9̶0̶9̶ present, C̶a̶r̶l̶ ̶A̶k̶e̶l̶e̶y̶ Mel(v.7) experimented with new t̶a̶x̶i̶d̶e̶r̶m̶y̶ construction techniques to make a̶n̶i̶m̶a̶l̶s̶ The Mels’ homes appear as lifelike as possible. H̶i̶s̶ Her F̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶S̶e̶a̶s̶o̶n̶s̶ Bedrooms of The Mels dioramas shows̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶-̶t̶a̶i̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶d̶e̶e̶r̶ The Mels in their environments througho̶u̶t̶ ̶s̶p̶r̶i̶n̶g̶,̶ ̶s̶u̶m̶m̶e̶r̶,̶ ̶f̶a̶l̶l̶,̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶ each of their seven self-evolutions. Considering every detail, A̶k̶e̶l̶e̶y̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶w̶i̶f̶e̶ ̶D̶e̶l̶i̶a̶ Mel(v.7) made 1̶7,̶0̶0̶0̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶v̶e̶s̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶c̶e̶n̶e̶r̶y̶ bedrooms; no two are the same. 2

Left: Mel(v.7) at work on the dioramas in 2018.

Explore more:

Body Coverings
​of The Mels

Their exterior coverings.

Diets
of The Mels

Coming soon in 2019.

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