Comparative Anatomy of Imaginary Species

Chewbacca, Mr. Spock, Wolverine, Werewolf, Gremlins, Medusa, Alien, Dragon, Totoro, Marsupilami... the exhibition invites visitors to consider imaginary creatures as though they were real, using them to illuminate the scientific method and encourage critical thinking. Didactic in approach, it brings together scientific enquiry and the rich cultural worlds of fantasy and imagination. 

Comparative Anatomy of Imaginary Species, adapted from the book of the same name by J. Sébastien Steyer and Arnaud Rafalian (Le Cavalier Bleu), draws on creatures from geek culture—science fiction, epic fantasy and related genres—as well as from mythology, in order to: 

• spark curiosity, particularly among younger visitors, and foster a renewed interest in science 

• make evolutionary science accessible to a wider audience: we can apply the methods of palaeontology, phylogenetics and biology to these imaginary species … making learning both engaging and entertaining. 

An exhibition co-produced by the natural history museums of Auxerre, Montbéliard, Montbard and Nantes, and developed by Jean-Sébastien Steyer, Emmanuel Janssens Casteels and Arnaud Rafaelian, based on the book Comparative Anatomy of Imaginary Species, in partnership with Les Éditions du Cavalier Bleu. 

The exhibition team:

J.Sébastien Steyer is palaeontologist at the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France’s nationalcentre for scientific research) and the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris. He is also an author and public speaker.

Arnaud Rafaelian is a natural history illustrator. He illustrated Comparative Anatomy of Imaginary Species (Le Cavalier Bleu), as well as other reference works such as Tolkien and Science (Belin-Humensis).

Manu Janssens is an anatomical sculptor, visual artist and naturalist. With a strong interest in the natural sciences and in herpetofauna, he is also deeply engaged by the fantastical creatures of mythology and cinema. He has collaborated with institutions such as the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris, the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de Bruxelles, the Musée National de Préhistoire aux Eyzies, the Musée de la Préhistoire à Tautavel, and the Musée de la Préhistoire de Carnac, among many others.