Gradient Change:

MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art, London

www.mocalondon.co.uk

 Curated by Martin Rasmussen

“Tiny masters of metabolism and movement are often ready and willing to associate with larger forms when environmental pressures encourage togetherness. Evolution’s menagerie is far more responsive to immediate environmental forces than the “random mutation” contingent would have us believe.”

Acquiring Genomes, A Theory of the Origins of Species, Lynn Margulis and Dorian Sagan, p. 20

 

This exhibition is inspired by biologist Lynn Margulis’ critique of evolutionary theory that emphasises systems’ tendency to organise from gradients in their immediate surroundings rather than from their own internal components. Lynn Margulis and Dorian Sagan, in their research, stress the importance of symbiotic or cooperative relationships between species, for instance how cells collaborate with bacteria to produce a working functioning body. Sperm cells are not racing against each other towards fertilization; it is more a matter of making sure at least one cell gets there in time; however the sperm cell is as caricature depicted as being competitive (“Whenever you feel worthless, REMEMBER you were once the quickest sperm cell” - joke found online)

Complex ecosystems have the ability to reduce gradients; as they mature, the energy and material cycles become larger in scope. Tropical forests have a superior ability to cool themselves relative to grasslands and deserts.

The works in this exhibition respond to these ideas and highlight how competition relates to one aspect of evolutionary theory only. This approach to the development of the world is very apparent in culture. Capitalism holds on to a Darwinian inspired approach reflected by human endeavor. Put simply; these ideas allow for a sigh of relief in conversations concerning inequality and how capitalism may not be operating in it most effective mode!!

Artists: Rowan Durrant, Alexander Hidalgo, Joanna Hoffmann, Niki Kyriakidou, Pil and Galia Kollectiv, Joanna Mires

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“Hidden topology of being II”  see also "Hidden topology of being"

2 channel videoanimation, 7min.26 sec.(1); 6min44sec (2)

music: Dave Lawrence, Yashas Shetty

 

The structure of a protein molecule, “the basic brick of life”, is composed of chains of amino acids quite common in our Universe. Exposed to X-rays it shows an arrangement of atoms that might serve as a map of starry Space, whereas its folded, globular form brings to mind the mysterious, geometric formations known as Calabi-Yau manifolds. According to the superstring theory, they contain extra dimensions of our world, compacted to the subatomic level and hidden from our limited perception.

Bridging scientific imagery with everyday recordings and poetry, the piece questions the matter of life from subatomic processes to stardust, revealing fundamental homogeneity and interdependence of micro and macro, animated and no-animated  components of our world.

It invites the viewer for intuitive examination of the unfathomable, multidimensional nature of our reality and of deeper relations between the human being and his environment