Venue:

BIAD School of Art: Margaret Street

Start Time:

18:00

End Time:

19:00

Price:

Free

Tags: exhibition, lecture, fine art, darwin

A presentation (18:30 - 19:00) and viewing of a themed exhibition to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Darwin's publication of the 'Origin of Species'

Complementing a viewing of Franziska Schenk's ongoing exhibition of the same name (running from 16 Nov - 18 Dec), the artist's presentation includes a brief introduction by Dr Jeremy Pritchard (University of Birmingham).

Dr Pritchard explores the key role the eye commands in Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. In the 'Origin' Darwin debates whether the complex eye could have possibly resulted from gradual natural processes - to then argue the case for evolution. Subsequently the eye has been a contentious focus in Evolutionary theory.

With this in mind, and butterfly eyespots as exemplar, Franziska Schenk demonstrates how Darwinian ideas have influenced the themes and working methods of 'In the Eye of the Beholder'. Outlining the artwork's evolution, the artist discusses the novel bio-inspired iridescent paints and innovative replication techniques she employs to mirror evolutionary processes. The resulting interrelated paintings fluctuate in perceived colour - emulating the iridescence in butterflies.

Visit the project website for more information.  

A Wellcome Trust funded project, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham (Biosciences)