Researchers collaborate on exhibition of 'fantastic and monstrous animals'

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Skeleton of a conjoined sheep on display at the exhibition

The University of Liverpool’s DiMo (Digital Morphology) laboratory has collaborated with the University of Bologna on a new exhibition that opened in the Italian city last week.

The exhibition ‘Fantastic and monstrous animals - Reality and vision in Ulisse Aldrovandi’s Monstrorum historia’ explores the intriguing connection between the fantastical creatures depicted by naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605) in his famous book ‘Monstrorum Historia’ and the field of veterinary teratology, which investigates real-life animal malformations.

Skeletons of animals with double heads, fused double bodies, and deformed limbs that were all depicted in the book take centre stage in the exhibition, which delves into the fundamental aspects of teratology and explores the science behind the causes of major animal malformations. The experience is enhanced by intricate digital 3D reconstructions of some of the animals that were created by the DiMo Lab team using dynamic photogrammetry.

Professor Lorenzo Ressel, Head of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, led on the creation of the 3D models, which are now also available as valuable teaching material for students at the University of Liverpool.

Professor Lorenzo Ressel with three collaborators from the University of Bologna at the opening of the exhibition

From left: Prof Roberto Balzani (University Museums Director, Bologna), Prof Giuliano Bettini (Dean of the Vet School, Bologna), Prof Lorenzo Ressel (University of Liverpool) and Prof Maria Morini (Museum Scientific Coordinator, Bologna).  

 

Professor Ressel said: “This collaborative effort between the DiMo Lab and the University of Bologna offers a unique glimpse into the past while exploring the relevance of teratology in contemporary veterinary medicine.

“The exhibition owes its success to the generous support received from an IVES travel grant, NVIDIA (Hardware), and Reality Capture (Software), as well as the dedicated team and students involved in the project."

The exhibition is hosted at the Museum of Pathology and Veterinary Pathological Anatomy at the University of Bologna and will run until May 2024.

You can experience some of models created by the DiMo Lab team for the exhibition on the platform Sketchfab.
Ovis ovis– Dipigus subdorsalis (Conjoined sheep)
Bos taurus - Diprosopus Sej distomu (Two-headed cow)
Sus scrofa – Heterodidymus heteropagus (Conjoined wild boar)

Screenshot of a 3D model of the skeleton of two conjoined sheep

Follow the DiMo Lab team on Twitter @DiMoLab_UoL