Animal Logic: Photography and Installation by Richard Barnes
Through January 3, 2010

Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Institute of Science mark the start of a pioneering collaboration entitled Artology: the Fusion of Art and Science Art at Cranbrook with the opening of Animal Logic: Photography and Installation by Richard Barnes at the Institute of Science through January 3, 2010

A Scene from Winged Migration

The Artology collaborative focuses on creating visual and experiential examples of the ways in which art and science frequently parallel or complement each other. Artology exhibits and related lectures, films and field trips will simultaneously immerse museum visitors in the arts and the sciences. While Cranbrook Art Museum is closed to the public for construction, art exhibitions at the Institute will be paired with related topical scientific artifacts, objects and specimens from the Institute’s collection to illustrate the Artology concept. A Cranbrook-designed Artology logo visually designates related events and activities.

Animal Logic: Photography and Installation by Richard Barnes, the first Artology exhibition, presents a survey of the work of acclaimed New York and San Francisco-based photographer Richard Barnes. This exhibition showcases work from Barnes’ most recent major photographic series, most notably Animal Logic, Barnes’ engaging and, at times, surreal images of dioramas and artifacts from natural history museums.

At the center of the exhibition will be the acclaimed project Folded Murmur, in which Barnes collaborated with video artist Alex Schweder and composer Charles Norman Mason to create an integrated photographic, projected-video, and composed sound installation based on their study of starling migration in Rome. The Folded Murmer project allows visitors to enter a space that surrounds them with the sounds and experiences of a starling migration.

As a Cranbrook-exclusive component of the exhibition, Barnes incorporates new photographs taken during his exploration of the Institute’s collection of over 150,000 objects distributed across nine fields of study. Objects from the Institute’s anthropology, ornithology and paleontology collections will be integrated into the Animal Logic experience. Bones and other life science objects will reflect the subjects of many of the photographs. Taxidermy specimens echo diorama subjects featured in Barnes’ work and also explain and illustrate the process taxidermists use to create these interpretations of the natural world.

Birds’ nests and taxidermy specimens from the Institute’s extensive collection add depth to the Folded Murmer installation and offer texture to Refuge, a series of photographs of birds’ nests which incorporate the cast offs of humans.

As a reflection upon Barnes’ work, the Institute of Science also re-install four of its historic dioramas, removed during construction in the late 1990’s, for the duration of Animal Logic.

The Artology experience includes Art “interventions” in the Institute’s Mineral Gallery, a free film series, three special lectures and a Members’ only field trip.

Art “interventions” in the Institute’s Mineral Gallery highlight objects from the Art Museum’s collection which reflect materials found in the mineral collections. A silver tea caddy and candy box, porcelain and ceramic vessels, and gold and silver jewelry are displayed among the materials from which they were formed to highlight the association of science and art.
Drawing on themes found in Animal Logic, the Artology film series melds the art of film with scientific topics for an evening of entertainment. Films include:

The Jungle Book Nov. 27

This Disney classic, based on the series of stories by Rudyard Kipling, tells the story of a young boy, Mowgli, raised in the jungle by wolves. Featuring catchy songs and astonishing animation, The Jungle Book is fun for the whole family (1967, 78 minutes).

Winged Migration Dec. 4

This Academy Award nominated film showcases footage of the incredible natural patterns produced by bird migration. Covering 40 countries and all 7 continents, Winged Migration is a visual delight (2001, 98 minutes).

All films are free with admission or membership and air in the auditorium at Cranbrook Institute of Science at 7 p.m.

Unless noted otherwise, lectures are free with admission and take place in the auditorium at Cranbrook Institute of Science.

Finally, exclusively for Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Institute of Science Members, the Cranbrook ARTravel program visits the art and science museums in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 14. Gregory Wittkopp, Director, Cranbrook Art Museum and Mike Stafford, Director, Cranbrook Institute of Science will act as guides for the day.

Animal Logic: Photography and Installation by Richard Barnes runs through January 3, 2010 and is free with admission or Membership at either Cranbrook Institute of Science or Cranbrook Art Museum.

Artology continues with a second exhibition, Cape Farewell, Jan. 31-June 4, 2010. Cape Farewell pioneers the cultural response to climate change. The aim of the project is to produce art founded in scientific research, communicating on an emotional and human scale the urgency of the global climate challenge. The exhibition is comprised of a range of media including photographic work, video, installations, and prints from a selection of leading contemporary artists.

Artology exhibits, lectures and related events are sponsored by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The Erb Family Foundation and the MASCO Corporation Foundation.

“Animal Logic: Photography and Installation by Richard Barnes” was organized collaboratively by Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Institute of Science under the direction of Art Museum Director Gregory Wittkopp and Institute of Science Director Mike Stafford.

The photographs of Richard Barnes are from the collection of artist, courtesy of the Howard House Gallery, Seattle, Washington.

Folded Murmur is a video installation by Alex Schweder and a part of “Murmur,” a collaborative project by Richard Barnes, Alex Schweder and Charles Norman Mason that includes photographs, projected video and composed sound. Folded Murmur is from the collection of Alex Schweder, courtesy of the artist.

Cranbrook Institute of Science is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Cranbrook Institute of Science is open daily 10am-5pm with extended hours on Friday until 10pm. Museum admission is $9.50 adults, $7.50 children 2-12 and senior citizens (65+); children under 2 and members admitted free. Friday evening admission 5-10pm, $5.50 Adults, $4.50 children ages 2-12 and seniors 65+, children under 2 and Members are free. Planetarium and bat program tickets are $4 general admission; $3 for CIS and OBC members; $1 for children under 2. Non-members must also pay museum admission. For more information about becoming a member of Cranbrook Institute of Science call 248 645.3200 or visit http://science.cranbrook.edu.