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Dakota Midday: Artist Bryan Christiansen

Ipso Gallery

Rapid City artist Bryan Christiansen grew up in a small log cabin in the Black Hills and learned to hunt. He’s still a hunter, but a different kind. He goes hunting through city alleyways and parking lots in search of discarded furniture. He skins and guts couches, easy chairs and tables and reassembles them into life-sized animal forms, such as deer, hare or buffalo skulls. And nothing goes to waste. He saves everything down to the last bit of sawdust and string, as well as the coins, pens and even TV remotes lost in the cushions.

The Ipso Gallery at Fresh Produce in downtown Sioux Falls features some of Christiansen’s meticulously crafted animal-shaped mounts and ornamental pelts in a new exhibit, Boonie. Christiansen joined Dakota Midday and discussed his work. You can view some samples here.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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