Office of Exhibits Central

Giant Crab Invades OEC!

Earlier this month, a Giant Japanese spider crab (Macrochera kaempferi was donated to OEC by Izu Chuo Aqua Trading Co.,Ltd. OEC modelmaker Vince Rossi was searching for a large, intact specimen to use as a model for making a reproduction to hang in the National Museum of Natural History’s new Ocean hall, which opens next year. Initially, Rossi thought he would have to use photographs for reference and sculpt the crab model by hand. “Sculpting takes more time and is more expensive,” said Rossi, “so I began searching for a specimen I could use as a mold. I didn’t think we would be this lucky.”

As luck would have it, he found the perfect specimen half way around the world. The giant Japanese spider crab can grow up to 3.5 to 4 meters long with their front legs and claws outstretched. But crabs of this size are rare and live about 2,000 feet under sea level. The specimen that Rossi found was 2.5 meters long, which is still a considerable size.

NMNH scientists are also excited about the donation. Smithsonian only has one specimen of this species in its collection, and its condition was never as good as this one. Dr. Rafael Lamaitre, chair of NMNH’s Invertebrate Zoology department, along with Cheryl Bright, collection manager for the same department, took samples of the crab’s flesh to freeze for future molecular DNA studies. They also documented the specimen for inclusion in NMNH’s collection.

After OEC has finished using the specimen to make the reproduction for the Ocean exhibit, it will go to the National Zoological Park, where flesh-eating beetles will clean all the soft tissue from the specimen, leaving only the hard exoskeleton. The specimen will then be moved to NMNH’s collections facility in Suitland, Maryland.

OEC modelmakers will be making other reproductions for the Ocean hall, including an orrfish and a sunfish.

See more photos of the giant crab and other OEC projects.

PHOTO TOP: Vince Rossi positions the giant crab to tag each part before molding.

PHOTO BOTTOM: Dr. Rafael Lamaitre takes a sample from the giant crab.

New Harmonies Ships Out

Last Tuesday, staff from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Museum on Main Street (MoMS), the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and OEC gathered along with other guests to celebrate the completion and shipping of the last of 5 copies of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music for their tours in Idaho, Mississippi, Illinois, Guam, and Washington.

This has been an extensive project that has touched every aspect and staff member at OEC. Consultation on the project began in November 2004, moving to design and editing in October 2005, and production in July 2006.

The production of New Harmonies has been featured in other entries here and here.

See more photos of the reception and the preview installation of New Harmonies.

TOP PHOTO: Devra Wexler and Ruth Trevarrow from SITES play with the diddley bow in the Blues kiosk.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Rosemary Regan, OEC editor, and Dan Meijer, SI contractor, get their zydeco groove on.

Ready For Our Close-Up

A film crew from Team Productions was at OEC today filming staff in action on various projects for Smithsonian Spotlight, a new 30-minute magazine format show on Smithsonian Network On Demand. The series will premier early next month and be available "on demand" to customers with cable companies that carry the network. The episode featuring OEC (as well as the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Smithsonian Kite Festival, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) will premier in June.

Camera operator Tom Kaufman, along with executive producer Emil Gallina, associate producer Amanda Fox, and sound recorder Rick Patterson had their work cut out for them interviewing OEC staff about the projects they work on and capturing a unique behind-the-scenes view of how an exhibit is made at the Smithsonian.

"What is surprising about the Office of Exhibits Central is the wide variety of projects you work on, the exotic and rare specimens you handle," said Mr. Gallina during a break between filming segments. "I am really impressed by the passion of the staff."

OEC's involvement started when Richard Gould, exhibit specialist in Fabrication, approached OEC director Michael Headley about the possibility of featuring OEC's contribution to the Institution via the new collaboration between the Smithsonian and Showtime. Richard was the liaison between Team Productions and OEC to ensure a smooth day of filming.

TOP PHOTO: Tom Kaufman and Rick Patterson of Team Productions film Terri Cobb of Museum on Main Street installing musical instruments for the staff preview of New Harmonies.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Executive producer Emil Gallina of Team Productions interviews OEC exhibit specialist Natalie Gallelli in the Model Shop about creating life-sized mannequins for the National Air and Space Museum.