Survival of the Fittest

Survival of the fittest is a phrase used to describe the idea that species adapt and change due to natural selection. Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer had much to do with the realisation of this theory, going into detail in their books, 'Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin, and 'The Principals of Biology' by Herbert Spencer. It is principally stating that the most physically apt and suited to the environment of which it occupies will survive.

This theory is very relevant to the theme of 'nature versus nurture' that I am exploring as it is the reason behind the innate behaviour of humans that I have temporarily adopted for the purpose of this assignment. This hereditary nature is that of competitiveness, aggression, violence, and other similar traits that are seen in society as deplorable. It related to the idea of survival of the fittest because these characteristics were (and, in some cases, are) the way species were able to survive. I relate my concept heavily to the novel by Sir William Golding, 'Lord of the Flies' where the children revert back to their primeval behaviour in order to survive in the wild. Nowadays, these traits aren't needed to the extent they are in the wild, but I am arguing, or suggesting, through my body of work that humans are still born with these traits.

Peter Alexander

John McCracken

'My works are minimal and reduced, but also maximal. I try to make them concise, clear statements in three-dimensional form,
and also to take them to a breathtaking level of beauty.'

–John McCracken

Christopher Wool

'In a fugue of gestural restraint and release, Wool filters the fundaments of abstract painting through the gritty syntax of urban reality. By painting layer upon layer of whites and off-whites over silkscreened elements used in previous works -- monochrome forms taken from reproductions, enlargements of details of photographs, screens, and polaroids of his own paintings -- he accretes the surface of his pressurized paintings while apparently voiding their very substance.' (http://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/2010-05-25_christopher-wool/)

APT6 (2010)

Just some photographs from the excursion to GOMA to see APT6 at the beginning of the year.

Forgot to upload them earlier.

afterthought

Thought I should post a photograph of my final necklace, so I posted 2!
Thanks Katy <3



And this one (below) is my other one that I made first. I like it.
anddd thanks Erica <3

Exploring one view of 'nature versus nurture'

An interesting point of debate within the nature versus nurture argument is that nurture supresses the true nature of a being. The nature is something that encompasses evil and therefore needs to be supressed, making it essential that one is nurtured well.

This idea has lead me to a series revolving around this idea.
I have decided to use boxes in order to symbolise nurture, but the series shows the emergence of nature as the nurture is gradually removed.

Inside the box is an object that represents the true nature, and as each box becomes less closed and secure, this nature overflows, or emerges.

To symbolise nature, I have decided to use fabric, basic calico or muslin dyed and printed on, to represent the overpowering nature that envelopes the boxes as they open.

hoorah! :D