Intelligent Design
Interspecies Art
September 05, 2009 - February 06, 2010

Intelligent Design: Interspecies Art is a group exhibition of twenty international artists exploring human interaction with animals through a collection of provocative video installations, photographs, paintings, and sculptures.

Artists in the exhibition collaborate with cockroaches, pigeons, dogs, cats, ants, bears, baboons, rats, spiders, trout, and other species, which may be domesticated, imaginary, laboratory, modeled, or wild. Curious about the animal’s point of view, artists design their projects as a form of conversation or inquiry about the nonhuman world. Their artwork challenges the anthropocentric perspective of the world, placing human perception on par with other animals. Inspired by Darwin, the environmental movement, and species collapse, Intelligent Design envisions a paradigm shift in which human beings are no longer the center of the Universe.

The exhibition will also stimulate discussions about the differences and similarities of how the arts and sciences approach the world, animals as products, animal rights, conservation, and speciesism, as a form of prejudice against animals. Intelligent Design will be the first exhibition in the U.S. to explore interspecies art, coming on the heels of several exhibitions and conferences in the UK this year that explored the topic in light of this year’s 200-year celebration of Charles Darwin’s birth.

Organized by UCR Sweeney Art Gallery, and curated by gallery director, Tyler Stallings, and artist/independent curator, Rachel Mayeri.

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UCR Sweeney Art Gallery
Located in the heart of downtown Riverside’s historic Mission Inn district, The Sweeney Art Gallery serves the UC Riverside campus, the Inland Empire, and the state of California. As a first-class venue, the Sweeney exhibits provocative contemporary art from all genres and mediums. Though often challenging, the Sweeney Art Gallery strives to make its ambitious art programs accessible to the community through educational programs like the monthly First Thursday ArtsWalk events and First Sunday Family events, its educational brochures, and guided tours. The Sweeney fulfills the UC system’s mission of being an unparalleled educational institution by featuring the highest caliber of art possible while being a service to the general public. As a laboratory of the University, the Sweeney draws valuable resources from the campus. The research and knowledge of Art and Art history professors helps the Sweeney program innovative, stimulating exhibits, develop exciting educational activities, and draw in some of the best artists in the country. UCR students also contribute significant time and energy to all aspects of the gallery. For current information please call 951/827-3755. Please note: Exhibitions are scheduled in advance; dates and titles are subject to change.

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