Nature happens.
Evolution: interactive self-creation of marvellous un-intelligent design
Nature happens. was born as a counter-project to the concept and propaganda of Intelligent Design, through which Christian fundamentalists attempt to put a scientific veneer on their creationist worldview. When I first encountered this trend of denying the evidence for evolutionary processes, I realized that I knew quite little about the subject myself. As I delved into evolutionary theory and biology and the life sciences more generally, I was reinforced in my idea that science does not disenchant our world. Rather, it reveals stunning new layers that sustain and amplify the amazement at the diversity and complexity inherent to the world we are a part of.
Among the biotic structures and processes that are covered by robust scientific understanding and description today, the development and functioning of the cell, ontogeny, and gene translation and regulation are particularly fascinating to me. Basic elements of life on earth, they are understood as relying on principles such as spontaneity, emergence, criticality, and self-organization.
The works created in the context of this project interpret and visualize selected methods and findings from these fields within the biociences. They aim to convey that no divine intentionality is required to develop awe, humility, and love in the face of life on earth.
> ZELLULAR
> Nature's Nature
Exhibition view Nature happens. at the German Maritime Museum, Bremerhaven, 2015:
ZELLULAR (in the back right), Nature's Nature (projection) and The Colourful World of Life Sciences (slide viewers in the foreground)
Outlook
BioLogical Complexity?
On the nature of the increase of complexity in biological systems
Based on familiarizing myself with the study of the dynamics of complex biological systems − an extremely active, fruitful and fascinating interdisciplinary research field, that is still little recognized in the non-scientific community − and previous artistic work, I want to compile a more general understanding of the very nature of the evolvement of biological systems towards an ever increasing complexity: is the complexity we observe merely a coincidence or rather a phenomenon that bears some sort of logic or coherence?
In a second project phase I want to develop a visual vocabulary that translates and interprets the gained insights and follows the guidelines of scientific theories − as reduced as possible as detailed as necessary. It is intended to function as a sort of meta-representation of the original complex systems in living nature under consideration, such as the formation of the cell, the evolution of mortal multi-cell organisms from potentially immortal single-cell organisms, and the development of altruism and a conscious mind.
Project-related scientific contacts include:
Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University, Graz, AT
Institute of Molecular Biochemistry, Technical University, Graz, AT
The Nymphalidae Systematics Group, University of Turku, FI
Prof. Ernst Peter Fischer, Author, Science Journalist and Science Historian, University of Heidelberg, DE
Dr. Bank Beszteri, Polar Biological Oceanography Group, Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, DE
Prof. Jari Saramäki, Institute for Computational Complex Systems Research, BECS, Aalto University, Espoo, FI
Kindly supported by:
RONDO Program, Federal State of Styria, AT
Saari Residence Program, Kone Foundation, FI
Diatom Study Center, Alfred Wegener Institute, DE