Christie Lau (Animalau)

Playing Foxes

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:01:09 -0700

Play is a seemingly innocent activity, compulsive to high functioning and social mammals. Engaging in play allows an existing social hierarchy to be briefly ignored, as the participants self-handicap and control themselves from inflicting real harm. Even so, play also prepares animals for that very adult ranking competition in the future. As they stalk and wrestle, they tone their motor skills for battle with their own and other species. This impulse is an amazing social activity and a traditional piece of our behavioural repertoire. Evolution has formed this mandatory urge that prompts us to communicate, train the body, and to restrain. In a system of life that is cruel and unforgiving, it is also knowing and preparing us for something greater. It is an elegant and divine part of our mammal culture.

Happy Halloween!

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:59:10 -0700

They were fighting but throw some accessories on and they are all about the party!

Fox with Gold Eyes

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:14:13 -0700

Odette Detail

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:13:05 -0700

Odette

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:12:30 -0700

Green Phoenix

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:06:46 -0800

Irish Elk!

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:52:27 -0800

The irish elk, now extinct, had the largest antlers ever. Sexual selection maintained its size and position on its head, which made them appear to their full advantage from all angles, but were of poor use for combat. Such large antlers required an abudant supply of calcium and phosphate and presented difficulties while moving through forests. Their crowns were fantastically impressive and matched in expense. Sexual selection drives males to spend more of their resources on growing or maintaining these extravagant physical assets. In the same way, we value elaborate decorations that proclaim this wealth, such as jewels, crowns and gold embroidery. Beauty is ridiculous and what we find attractive can be irrational, but it is in our nature to appreciate and be obsessed with it nonetheless. It persuades us to use extensive funds and labour to produce it, but it remains much more pleasurable looking at it than being or supplying it. Our adoration of beauty is imperfect but it is the motor of human and animal lives.

Belgian Emu

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:04:53 -0800

Emus, like Belgian lace, are a very special kind. She is a flightless bird, although affords the splendorous luxury of loose feathers. Certainly she is one to appreciate the extravagance of handmade lace from Brussels. She has a good eye for these delicacies and, like the rest of her species, very much enjoy observing human activity, particularly one that is also endemic to its own country.

Chinese Kermode Bear

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:03:41 -0800

What’s a bear without its black marks? He’s just another member of the Ursidae family… and yet, this spirit bear is rare too. He might not be a living fossil like the Ailuropoda, but he is rarer than a panda and even more rare than a panda in China. Don’t trade him for anything, not even for peace between men.

Neptune Balloon II

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:56:43 -0800

Blue ringed octopus!

Neptune Balloon

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:53:15 -0800

Argonaut shell

Hot Sea Balloon!

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:48:53 -0800

The blue ringed octopus is the group with venom powerful enough to kill humans. It changes from a light brown to a brilliant yellow and blue polka dot when it is secreting its venom.

Country French Lion Tailed Macaque

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:46:37 -0800

RAAAA!!!!

Feeling Hot

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:42:59 -0800

The males with the voluminous dark manes are striking. The darker his hair, the better his health and the higher the level of testosterone. Under the African sun, however, it can take its toll. They are more easily spotted in the golden grass while hunting, and the heat increases the likelihood of abnormal sperm. Sexual selection drives males to spend more of their resources on growing or maintaining these extravagant physical assets. acrylic ink!

Stag Romance

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:27:50 -0700

Stags serenade their harems with their repeated roars. It makes them go into heat!

Cerberus

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:25:06 -0700

Pygmalion

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:01:27 -0700

Owl Woman

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:27:14 -0700

Tiger!

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:38:16 -0700

Combination of taxidermy and antler display at the museum.

French Tapestry Sand Fox

Christie Lau (Animalau) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:46:44 -0700

Millefleurs gardens are the dwellings of exotic animals like the unicorn or lion. Wild red foxes, albeit cunning and smooth talkers, are not so welcome in these French tapestries. Perhaps a foreign Tibetan fox is exotic enough to be let in?