087035/Z/08/Z: In the Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Evolution

Project Summary:Artworks, inspired by Darwin's iconic description of the development of the eye, will be produced and form the centrepiece for public engagement activities in the Year of Darwin 2009 and beyond. The proposed series of paintings draws on novel biomimetic materials and methods that mirror the process of evolution. Latest iridescent nano-particles and innovative casting techniques are employed to arrive at successively 'modified' variations of the 'same' painting. The complex interrelationships between the evolution of colour, display, camouflage and perception in nature and art are explored. Evolutionary theory, molecular genetics and the emerging field of Evolutionary Development Biology ('Evo Devo') link the artistic and scientific concepts.

Grant Holder:Ms Franziska Schenk

Organisation:University of Birmingham

Financial Year:2008/2009