As part of the museum's conservation team, I work with some extraordinary objects. In preparing for the National Museum's Spirited exhibition midway through the year, I found myself working in our fume cupboard, staring at a horse brain floating in dark yellow fluid, trailing some green stuff underneath.
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This fascinating object is part of the Australian Institute of Anatomy (AIA) collection held by the National Museum. The collection consists of anatomical specimens, including more than 2000 "wet specimens" (anatomical specimens preserved in fluid).
While some might find the concept of working with these objects unpleasant, I have such awe and respect for the AIA collection that in the lead-up to the Spirited exhibition, I found myself happily checking the condition of the specimens and preparing them for display. Before any of these objects go on show, we ensure they are stable, the jars are secure and the fluid is in good condition. As well as the brain, there are eight other specimens from horses in the Spirited exhibition, including a liver, a kidney and portions of a heart believed to be Phar Lap's.
The horse brain I found most intriguing. It was in a jar with a cracked seal, so I carefully removed the seal and then tested the pH of the fluid. Because it was in the acidic range, my colleague and I then changed the fluid and prepared the jar. We discovered that the "green stuff" was paint marking the areas of the brain responsible for a horse's amazing sense of smell.
Remarkably, the change of fluid allowed us to see the features and beauty of this object more easily. Another fascinating aspect of the specimen is the custom-made, bent glass rod frame, which supports the brain inside the jar. There are two specimens mounted this way in the Spirited exhibition, while other specimens on display are self-supporting or stitched onto thick plastic sheeting.
The horse brain is my favourite object in Spirited. It is remarkable to work with an object that is such an important organ, and which is responsible for all functions in this living creature. It compels me to contemplate and compare differences, functions and the inner workings of animals, and the tasks and functions that our own brains prioritise.
* Natalie Ison is an objects conservator at the National Museum of Australia.
* A selection of wet specimens is on display in the National Museum of Australia's exhibition Spirited: Australia's Horse Story, which runs until March 9.
