Exhibition: Nanoq: Flat out and Bluesome, The Manchester Museum, Manchester, February 13 – July 11 2010
Icelandic artist Bryndís Snæbjörnsdóttir and UK collaborator Mark Wilson like to deal with the human vision of wilderness as a place removing our control of animals.
Re-evaluating the spectrum of ways animals are treated, from the smothering indulgence heaped upon pets to the disdain afforded to vermin, the pair are fascinated by the polarity between wildness and domesticity.
They believe our artificially-shaped relationships with animals conceal "a real understanding" which "may be revelatory", reducing various species to mere symbolic status.
Human attempts to control nature are considered in Snæbjörnsdóttir and Wilson's work
For this show, they spent two years photographing every stuffed Polar bear in the UK, revealing how the threat their ferocity once posed to humans has been reversed by man-made habitat destruction.
Some of the pictures show captured or killed bears, including the names of the hunters who snared them
Among the usual terrifying poses there's a smiling bear from the very factory where Fox's Glacier Mints are produced, contrasted by examples needing restoration or suffering from neglect.
The exhibition is at the centre of a day of activities at The Manchester Museum
Crucially, the real history of each bear is recounted in all-too-real detail next to each picture, so you can find out what cause the bear was captured or killed for, how old it was at the time and even the identity of its sniper.
"This exhibition challenges the perceptions we have about our relationship with nature," says Stephen Booth, Curator of Temporary and Touring Exhibitions at the Museum.
"It highlights the cause and effect of human behaviour, and makes us think about the legacy of our actions."
A programme of accompanying events starts with Big Saturday (February 13) to mark Charles Darwin’s 201st birthday, including a floor talk on the exhibition, followed by a variety of activities for half-term next week.
All images courtesy the artists.
Programme of events:
Big Saturday: Darwin's 201st Birthday Bash
Saturday February 13, 11am-4pm (drop-in)
Party activities, object holding, talks and tours. Optional Darwin or animal fancy dress. Admission free, small charge for some activities. All ages.
Gallery Floor Talk in the exhibition Nanoq: Flat out and Bluesome
Saturday February 13, 2pm-3pm
The artists introduce the exhibition and answer questions. Admission free.
Half term: Voyage of the Beagle
Monday-Friday February 15-19, 11am-4pm
Range of activities. Admission free, small charge for some activities.
