CZ-603 00 Brno
Czech Republic
PRESS RELEASE
April 2002 ń For Immediate Release
CONTEMPORARY GLASS ARTWORKS REFLECTS ORIGINS OF
GENETICS
Glass
spheres, blown and stretched to produce new forms, represent plant cells
dividing and splitting in a unique new exhibition of genetics in the Czech
Republic.ÝÝ ëThe Genius of Genetics, a
celebration of Gregor Mendel through science and artí, which opens
to the public on 21 May 2002, will pay tribute to Gregor Mendel (1822-1884),
the abbot of the Augustinian abbey, who experimented with peas and developed
the early concepts of heredity in the 19th Century.
The
British artist, Rob Kessler, who has created the glass forms, is one of seven
contemporary artists from around Europe who are contributing to the exhibition,
which will combine modern works of art with historical items to be displayed in
the Abbey of St Thomas in the town of Brno, two hourís drive from Prague and
Vienna.ÝÝ
Gregor
Mendel is regarded as the father of genetics and the exhibition is the first
phase of a major initiative to reinstate the abbey where Mendel lived and
worked as an international symbol for genetics. The curators are Ms Marina
Wallace, co-director with Professor Martin Kemp and, directors of the
art-science company, Artakt, and Dr Caterina Albano who were responsible for
the highly-acclaimed exhibitions, ëSpectacular
Bodies,í at the Hayward Gallery in London last year and Head On: Art with the Brain in Mindí
currently at the Science Museum in London.Ý
A comprehensive catalogue with essays by Ms Wallace, Professor Kemp and
the renowned geneticist, Professor Luca Cavalli-Sforza, and a forward by
Professor Kim Nasmyth, also a geneticist and the originator of the project in
Vienna, will accompany the exhibition.
Ý
There
is a remarkable collection of items and documents belonging to Mendel in Brno,
such as scientific slides, photographs and the plans for the glasshouse in the abbey garden but until now they
have not been fully displayed. Bringing art and science together, the
exhibition merges history, an interactive web site and
new works of art to generate broad appeal to the public and specialists alike.
Ý
The exhibition is in three sections focusing
respectively on Mendel's biography: his background and motivations; his
research interests and methodology; and his research, the enigma of generation
and the development of cell theory. The modern images, all exploring aspects of
genetics, include works by Christine Borland, Susan Derges, herman de vries,
Cornelia Hesse-Honegger, Matilda Downs and Gerhard Lang.Ý ěThe artists share a fascination with the
patterns observed in nature and with the scientific search for explanations of
physical and biological systems,î says Ms Wallace.
Eva
Jiricna, the renowned Czech architect who is based in London and Prague, is
designing the environment for the exhibition.Ý
ěThe setting and the personality of Gregor Mendel make this a very
exciting project,î says Ms Jiricna.Ý ěAs
a little boy, he grew up in a small village with no great aspirations but as an
adult, through sheer determination in his research, what he discovered changed
the world.î
The
long-term plans include the restoration of Mendelís experimental garden and the
creation of a genetics museum and a conference centre within the abbey in Brno, which would provide a dynamic new
forum for schoolchildren, the general public as well as researchers to discuss
the ethical implications of genetic research.
The
originators of the project are Professor Kim Nasmyth, director of the Research
Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna, Austria, and Anna Nasmyth, with the
support of leading international figures in the world of genetics as well as
the present abbot of the abbey, Luk·ö Evűen Martinec, the City of Brno and the president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav
Havel. The organising body of the exhibition is the Vereinigung zur F–rderung
der Genomforschung (an Austrian society for the promotion of genome research)
in Vienna.Ý They need to raise 1.5
million Euros for this high-profile international enterprise.Ý
Mendelís remarkable work was barely recognised
during his lifetime.Ý His observations
were first published in 1866.Ý In the
years following his discovery, genetics has been transformed from laboratory
science into a major area of public excitement. Ms Wallace says, ěWe want
people to rediscover the excitement of genetic science, as it emerged 150 years
ago.îÝ
END
Elaine Snell Public Relations
Tel +44 (0)20 7738 0424 (London UK), mobile +44
(0)7973 953794
Vereinigung zur F–rderung der Genomforschung,
Vienna
Gregor Johann Mendel
(1822-1884) was born into a farming family. He entered the Augustinian
monastery and became a teacher.Ý Between
1856 and 1863 he experimented with and analysed pea plants that were the
foundations of the laws of heredity.Ý
His work was published in 1866 but the significance of his research was
not appreciated until 1900.Ý http://www.netspace.org/MendelWeb
Artakt is an organisation that
generates projects combining art and science researching and mounting
innovatory exhibitions that illustrate history from a modern perspective and
uses the newest technologies. Martin Kemp is Professor of the History of Art at
Oxford University.Ý Marina Wallace is
Senior Lecturer at Central St Martinís College of Art and Design in London.
Eva Jiricna Architects is an
architectural and design practice based in London with an international
portfolio of residential, commercial and retail interiors; furniture products
and exhibitions; private and public buildings. The practice is at the forefront
of innovation in form and technology, applying the classic principles of design
in a thoroughly modern language. Eva Jiricna, a Czech born architect based in
London for over 30 years, founded the practice in 1985, and now has a satellite
office in Prague. Her contribution to architecture and design has been
recognised over the years with a C.B.E. in the Honours List 1994, election to
the Royal Academy (R.A), and designation as an RDI (Royal Designer for
Industry)." www.ejal.com
Christine Borland, UK, A Treasury of Human Inheritance, Huntingtonís Disease, 2001.
Silver, steel, agates.
Susan Derges, UK, Vessel, 2001, and Pollen
Store, 1994. Two series of photograms
herman de vries, The Netherlands, Ilex Canariensis, 1994.Ý 2400 samples of earth.
Matilda Downs, UK, Map of Cow Markings, 2001. Silk screen print with pencil on paper. Atlas of Cows, 2001. Screen print,
pencil and photo lithography
Cornelia Hesse-H–negger, Switzerland,Ý Flies (Drosophila
melanogaster) red eyes, 1986, Flies (Drosophila
melanogaster) wings growing out of the eyes 1986, Flies (Drosophila melanogaster), eye painted back, 1986-87. X-rays
at Zoological Institute at University of Z¸rich
Rob Kesseler, UK, On Closer Inspection, 2000. Gilt prints on china.Ý Mitosis,
2002, Blown-glass forms.
Gerhard Lang, Germany, The Typical Marking of
the Cow Herd in Sch–ntal, 1994 Photographs and large composite
Information about Brno and the Czech Republic:Ý www.antor.com/Czech_Republic
and www.visitczechia.cz
Pictures of Brno and images of the design concepts
are available.
Trustees:
Sir Paul Nurse, Cancer Research UK, London
Prof Emil Palecek, Institute of Biophysics, Brno
Sir Richard Sykes, Imperial College, London
Dr James Watson, Cold Spring Harbor, USA
Prof Charles Weissmann, Imperial College, London
Scientific
Committee:
Dr Michael Ambrose, John Innes Institute, Norwich
Prof Gustav Ammerer, Institut f¸r Biochemie und
Molekulare Zellbiologie, Vienna
Prof Bernadette Modell, Royal Free Hospital and
University College London Medical School
Prof Kim Nasmyth, Institute for Molecular
Pathology, Vienna
Professor John Parker, Cambridge Botanic Garden
Dr Jan-Michael Peters, Institute for Molecular
Pathology, Vienna
Prof Dieter Schweizer, Institut f¸r Botanik de
Universit”t Wien, Vienna
Prof Pak Sham, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Dr Mark Tester, University of Cambridge