n oa h ’ s ark f ro m h e a d t o t ail
GRANT MUDFORD
Peter turman
who
who built this pl ace ?
Noah’s Ark at the SkirballTM was created by a whole crew of people— from architects to puppet makers, sound-effects whizzes to people who could tie knots, to a mom-and-pop team who knew the right way to make a rainbow. Then we brought in folks to fill it with fun, like storytellers, musicians, animal experts, and visual artists. Before building anything, we talked with kids and teachers and parents, and we thought it through for years, kicking and screaming and cheering and high-fiving until we got it right.
what’s it m ade of ?
We used an old story, so we decided to use old stuff. Stuff from attics, stuff from e-bay, and some stuff right off the street. A John Deere tractor seat makes for a good deer derriere. And there’s nothing here that lights up or reboots when you press a button. Our bells and whistles are actual bells and whistles. The ark itself is made of Douglas fir. And the animal heads are hand-carved from sustainably harvested wood (that means we borrowed from forests but didn’t destroy them).
john elder
what
386 Number of animals aboard the Skirball ark
STEVEN YEH
Number of animals on board Noah’s Ark aat the Skirball
8 Number of kinds of poop on the ark
Everyone poops... differently
(we consulted a naturalist for the right varieties of scat)
Dimensions of the Skirball ark
^
15
ft. high
^ (This is not the size of the ark in the Bible. That one was
^
41
^
65
ft. wide
ft. long
much bigger — around the length of three football fields.)
when
When did the journey begin?
SUSAN EINSTEIN
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball opened in June 2007, after five years of thinking about it 24/7. But the inspiration really came from an armada of folk art Noah’s Arks that the Skirball has in its museum collection—more than 120 in all.
STEVE COHN
w wh he e rr ee
where’s noah?
Here’s our take on the story: it’s about surviving the challenges life throws our way by getting along and working together, and about making the most of second chances. All of us have a role to play, so on this ark, all of us are Noahs. And guess what? All the animals are welcome, too—not just two of each, and not just the cute and cuddly ones. As it turns out, Noah’s Ark is just one of hundreds of flood stories from around the world. In some tales, the ark is a walnut shell; in others, a hollowed-out pumpkin. But they all have huge storms, safe shelters, and new beginnings.
STEVEN YEH
30,000
Number of knots in the rope course (tied by hand)
200 mor e t han
Number of flood narratives we have identified from different cultures and time periods
Why did you build it ?
Well, we wanted to create a space especially for families. We wanted it to be fun, of course, but also meaningful — a celebration of diversity and community, and an experience for all generations. Welcoming and honoring families is at the heart of the Skirball’s mission as a Jewish institution. We hope you feel a sense of wonder when you step inside. We hope it’s a space where people talk to one another and maybe feel inspired to go out and do something good in the world.
STEVE COHN
why
W W W. S K I R B A L L . O R G Comments on this book? E-mail familyprograms@skirball.org.
Š 2013 SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER