Introduction
Darwin's controversial and contested theory of evolution remains a landmark of western intellectual endeavour. Evolutionist thinking has permeated many disciplines from the natural and social sciences, and philosophy. Although the context of controversy has changed within evolutionary thinking, scientists, theologians, theorists and cultural practitioners still actively engage with Darwinism, whether in the spirit of opposition, modification or refinement.
SHIRLEY CHUBB
This project asserts the potential for contemporary art practice to re-imagine Darwin's work within a current context, to draw out, in particular, some of the most significant ideas embedded in his thought and of others.
There is great potential application and benefit to such a project, given the amount of attention there will be on Darwin in 2009, and the popularity and persistence of arts and science based projects in areas of wide cultural interest. But how can this be done in original, exciting and relevant ways?
Interdisciplinary Work
The Species of Origin adopts a model inspired by Darwin's famous voyage on the Beagle (1831-6). This iconic boat represents, in effect, a small interdisciplinary team of people working in diverse traditions and spheres to bring new insights into the field of the natural sciences.
Contemporary participants navigate through this extraordinary archipelago of ideas, by means of Reading Groups, Workshops and contributions to the Creative Resource.
While participants bring their own disciplinary research methods with them, we aim to achieve a genuine exchange of ideas and insights. Consequently, willingness to communicate and share ideas at 'entry level' is encouraged throughout.
One result will be a Creative Resource of texts and images that will fuel future parts of the project up to 2009 and beyond. Deposits into the Creative Resource will be akin to the practice in the Beagle expedition, namely the periodic crating and posting of research materials at each port of call into an increasingly comprehensive depository back 'at home'. Early academic papers and the like would also represent early 'cratings' of the work undertaken in this first year.
A Creative Resource
We are working towards a Creative Resource which will incorporate the following:
- This website
- Pilot Library & Archive - accumulated books, articles, images, exhibition catalogues, media products (held at Edinburgh College of Art and available for consultation.)
A 'Darwin Apparatus'
This would offer the many contemporary projects around Darwin in 2009 an interdisciplinary platform and organisational structure to assist in a variety of projects in the UK and abroad. This option sits alongside and distinct from any set of projects organised by the main participants here.