Natural Selection

An arched converging structure of tall dried willow branches greets you upon arrival to the exhibition, Natural Selection, which is housed within the former Newington Library in South London until November 26th. There is an immediate air of mystery, almost whimsy to the installation on first inspection. On the one hand, turned wooden sculptures, photographs and drawings share the same space as glass vitrines filled with delicate objects from nature within, bringing the show a sense of the classic museum display, whilst the tunnel-like willowy structure, scattered wood chippings and freestanding timber pillars feel more akin to an elven forest depicted in a J. R. R. Tolkien novel.  

Like moths to a flame, the cleverly orchestrated arrangement leads visitors through the space, with the eye directed to a large bank of three adjoining video screens that are heard even before they’re seen as gentle but arresting voices speak out from the screen directly to you in a familiar documentary style.

The voices are those of Andy and Peter Holden, a father and son duo: Andy the artist, Peter the former TV presenter, RSPCA employee and bird expert. The split screens all remain permanently in action whilst the two men alternate the responsibility of explaining the habits, ingenuity and idiosyncrasies of the exhibition’s chief protagonists – birds.

On paper, the notion of such an artwork may not sound like the most exciting idea for spending ones' time. But as the steady paced conversation unfolds and the insights into birds; specifically their nests and the materials with which they use to make them, washes over you, it’s easy to see why such a specific and seemingly unusual exhibition could have been conceived. The expert knowledge from Peter: which leans towards Darwinian theories of ‘natural selection’ (hence the shows title) is gently countered by Andy’s enthusiasm for the seemingly creative act of birds' nest building.

This idea seems highly plausible when considering some of the examples they share – not least the magnificent nests of the bowerbird – whose monument-like bower is in fact the inspiration behind the massive willow structure in the middle of the gallery.

Varying vastly in style, bowers form a part of elaborate nests created by the male, who also creates collections of same-coloured materials and objects around the edge as part of their courting ritual. Collector, curator, designer, architect and builder – each unique example shown within the film highlights the impressive and broad skillset required of the bowerbird in creating its built environment.

Other examples of architectural mastery constructed by the feet and beaks of birds include the mud walled nest of the swallow, haphazardly formed yet incredibly stable platforms of pigeons and some wildly implausible examples inside traffic lights and atop electricity pylons.  

There’s a real charm to this sensitively delivered exhibition and it leaves you with a deepened respect for our feathered friends as well as a greater awareness and understanding of the term ‘nesting’ that we as humans share in partaking in. If you get the chance, go and see it!

Natural Selection has been commissioned by Artangel, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Leeds Art Galleryand Towner Art Gallery, with the support of the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Spike Island and Bristol Green Capital 2015, the Henry Moore Foundation and Artangel’s Guardian Angels.

Natural Selection is part of The Artangel Collection, an initiative to bring outstanding film and video works commissioned and produced by Artangel to galleries and museums across the UK. The Artangel Collection has been developed in partnership with Tate and is generously funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The Foyle Foundation.

Artangel is generously supported using public funding by Arts Council England, and by the private patronage of The Artangel International Circle, Special Angels and The Company of Angels.