Top left via GR Public Museum, bottom left via Yorkshire Museum, right via Bell Museum
If you’re not into clowns, taxidermied creatures, or centuries-old piles of hair, you probably should avoid the #CreepiestObject hashtag on Twitter. In recent days, museums worldwide have been digging into their nightmare-inducing archives to uncover the most disturbing pieces their collections have to offer. Findings include a preserved mermaid-like animal, a cross-section of a pregnant cat, and a children’s toy that’s rumored to move on its own.
Similar to the virtual bouquets and the challenge to recreate famous artworks, the movement is one of the ways shuttered museums are engaging with—and now terrifying—their quarantined audiences. We’ve gathered some of their picks below, but please consider this your warning before you scroll down or dive deeper into the hashtag. (via Hyperallergic)
Our #CreepiestObject has to be this ‘mermaid’…
#CURATORBATTLE #TroublingTaxidermy pic.twitter.com/GMSosyuqIX — Natural Sciences NMS (@NatSciNMS) April 17, 2020
@RedHeadedAli how can we ignore such a call to arms?
This particular item has caused a few nightmares for our followers this week.
Our #CreepiestObject is…this pincushion! Complete with tiny children’s heads. You’re welcome, Twitter.#CURATORBATTLE pic.twitter.com/0YdmCE5dYD
— Norwich Castle (@NorwichCastle) April 17, 2020
“STEP ASIDE ALL. These are hand-made models of figures playing cards and of gold miners hauling gold nuggets to the surface. BUT the figures are made from crab’s legs and claws… Typical Victorians, they loved weird/creepy stuff. #CreepiestObject” —York Castle Museum
We’re convinced the people on the horse don’t know the clown is there … #CuratorBattle #CreepiestObject pic.twitter.com/iX2yEw9UyK
— GR Public Museum (@GRMuseum) April 20, 2020
We have quite a few creepy specimen. According to many visitors, our #CreepiestObject is this one – half a pregnant cat in fluid: pic.twitter.com/OQuShfv2pN
— Grant Museum of Zoology (@GrantMuseum) April 17, 2020
“Bringin’ our A-game for this #CURATORBATTLE! What is it? Just a CURSED CHILDREN’S TOY that we found inside the walls of a 155-year-old mansion. We call it ‘Wheelie’ – and it MOVES ON ITS OWN: Staff put it in one place and find it in another spot later on…. #Creepiestobject” —PEI Museum
So we couldn’t let the moment for #CreepiestObject #CURATORBATTLE pass us by… From the Dept of Creepy in our Education Collection: a naturally mummified pigeon. Sealed into the wall of a building, this pigeon died, desiccated and then its feathers were eaten clean by insects. pic.twitter.com/qpfE7kA02t
— Bell Museum (@BellMuseum) April 20, 2020
Thanks for thinking of us @HottyCouture and wow, will we be having nightmares tonight with all these #CreepiestObject|s ! Here is the one we just can’t hide from you, one of our many creepy gems – our Plague Mask (1650/1750)! #curatorbattle pic.twitter.com/JrMjqAJSIM
— Deutsches Historisches Museum (@DHMBerlin) April 17, 2020
“Imagine rummaging through an archive and unwrapping this Down pointing backhand index MC 490A: Broken Dolls head in many parts with fair hair c.1920 Found on the grounds of @StJudesHead . Let’s hope they treat the pupils better Face with tears of joy #CuratorBattle #CreepiestObject” —Egham Museum
As the only staff member at Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre (Ontario, Canada) with a Twitter, allow me to present creepy kids costumes for #CreepiestObject #CURATORBATTLE pic.twitter.com/u4LPWi0xjf
— Jenna Locke (@JennaLocke) April 20, 2020
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2020/04/creepy-objects-museums/