Art and Evolution - Participating Artists

The Art of Evolution

When we first conceived of this exhibit, we did not know what kinds of submissions to anticipate. As such, we left our call for entries fairly open. Artists, scientists, and programmers from across the Northwestern University community were invited to submit anything inspired by Darwin or evolution. But were there any artists at Northwestern thinking about evolution? Were there even scientists and programmers dabbling in the arts? Worse yet, would there be no interest at all?
These worries soon dissipated as entries began to roll in.

If we had to choose just one word to describe this exhibit, it would be “interdisciplinary.” Not only did the entries hail from departments across campus, but the range of media and styles, and the variety of creative interpretations of the idea of evolution were stunning.

Herein are traditional pieces that reflect the same awe of nature that first inspired Darwin, and pieces that invent new ones. There are interactive simulations that explore the mechanisms of natural selection, and a digital sound piece that reinterprets the experience of deep time. Herein we encounter literature both conventional and computational; and patterns generated by nature, by algorithm, and by human intention. But the exhibit also brings together communities from across campus departments, from across academic ranks, and from across disciplines. The members of our jury represent professors of art and science, and Darwin Fellows and Scholars, who have experienced the One-Book-One-Northwestern program first-hand.

Perhaps a more appropriate word to describe this exhibit is simply “Evolution.” That is, the evolution of an idea that began almost two centuries ago with Darwin’s first voyage on the HMS Beagle. It is an idea that has come to permeate all branches of human endeavor and imagination, and that continues to inspire our creative and intellectual pursuits.

Above all, we hope you will be similarly inspired by the interdisciplinary exchanges reflected in the pieces on display. Moreover, we hope this show will stir a similar dialogue among you, the visitors, just as it did among our artists, our jurors, and our Darwin Scholars and Fellows – a dialogue that spans media; that crosses disciplines; and that persists over time: From Darwin’s age to the present, and from this celebration of his 200th birthday to long after the exhibit is dismantled.

Welcome to One-Book-One-Northwestern’s exhibit, “The Art of Evolution.”

Camillia Matuk
Darwin Fellow, One Book One Northwestern
February 12, 2009

The organizers of the 2008-09 One Book One Northwestern project would like to express their deep appreciation to Professor Rick Gaber, Director of the Program in Biological Sciences, for his time, creativity and expertise in photographing the unique contributions to our Darwin Day art exhibit.

	First Prize Forrest Stonedahl, Graduate Student, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Happy Birthday Dear Darwin Photo by Rick Gaber
	Second Prize Jonathan Boxerman, Department of Learning Sciences - Deep Time Through the Senses: Sonification of the Geologic Time Scale Photo by Rick Gaber
	Second Prize Mary Jo Madda, Departments of Art History and Art Theory and Practice - Ink Drawings - Evolutionary Theory Photo by Rick Gaber
	Garen Checkley, School of Communication - Galapagos Photos Photo by Rick Gaber
	Jason Erickson, Department of Computer Sciences - The Origin of Species, A Visualization Photo by Rick Gaber
	Diane Huebner, Candidate for Master's Degree in Plant Biology and Conservation, Program in Biological Sciences - Sketchbooks: 1995-2000 Photo by Rick Gaber
	Kathy Mandell, Senior Editor and Designer, Office for Research Finance, Planning and Communication Photo by Rick Gaber
	Amy Myrick, Department of Sociology - Bouquet Photo by Rick Gaber
	Laura Panko, WCAS College Adviser, Lecturer in the Program in BIological Sciences - Antelope vertebra, cranial view Photo by Rick Gaber
Image Not Available	Jessica Wiener, WCAS Junior - Galapagos Portraits
	Uri Wilensky, Professor - Sunflower Biomorphs: How Can Artificial Selection Drive the Emergence of Beauty? Photo by Rick Gaber
```	Stephanie Louise Lu, WCAS Freshman, Prospective Major: Comparative Literature - Poem: The Frozen Moments Photo by Rick Gaber
	Anita Panjwani, WCAS Biological Sciences Senior and Darwin Scholar, with her painted rock on the NU campus Photo by Vinati DeVane