"The Lost Bird Project" at the Smithsonian

Smithsonian Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits Showcase Extinct Birds

Lost Bird Project at the Smithsonian GardensThe Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Gardens present “The Lost Bird Project,” an exhibit by artist Todd McGrain, March 27 through March 15, 2015. This project recognizes the tragedy of modern extinction by immortalizing North American birds that have been driven to extinction. It will feature large-scale bronze sculptures of the Carolina Parakeet, the Labrador Duck, the Great Auk, the Heath Hen and the Passenger Pigeon.

Four of the sculptures are installed in the Enid A. Haupt Garden, a 4.2-acre public rooftop garden between the Smithsonian Castle and Independence Avenue. The fifth sculpture, the Passenger Pigeon, will be installed in the Urban Habitat Garden at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Installing the Passenger Pigeon sculpture at the National Museum of Natural History“Smithsonian Gardens is extremely honored to host The Lost Bird Project sculptures created by Todd McGrain,” said Barbara Faust, director of Smithsonian Gardens. “It is our hope that these beautiful works of art raise awareness of modern extinction and engage visitors to interact with our gardens.”

The Smithsonian Libraries will also present, “Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North America,” on view at the National Museum of Natural History June 24 through October 2015. The exhibit commemorates the 100th anniversary of Martha the Passenger Pigeon, the last member of a species that once filled America’s skies.

In addition, the Smithsonian Libraries will screen “The Lost Bird Project” documentary at the National Museum of Natural History Nov. 20. It tells the story of the five bird species and follows McGrain’s efforts to install his sculptures in locations where the birds were last seen. The film will be followed by a brief talk by the artist and a book signing.

Read more about the Smithsonian Gardens Lost Bird Project website.

Passenger Pigeon Bronze Sculpture Labrador Duck Bronze Sculpture Heath Hen Bronze Sculpture Great Auk Bronze Sculpture Carolina Parakeet Bronze Sculpture

Passenger Pigeon

Labrador Duck

Heath Hen

Great Auk

Carolina Parakeet

PDF: The Lost Bird Project at the Smithsonian