Artwork Page for Evolution II (Chimpanzee and Man)

Details / Information for Evolution II (Chimpanzee and Man)

Evolution II (Chimpanzee and Man)

1984, printed 1999

Nancy Burson

(American, b. 1948)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 20 x 20.6 cm (7 7/8 x 8 1/8 in.); Framed: 46.5 x 46.5 cm (18 5/16 x 18 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust 2020.71
Edition
edition 4/15
Copyright
© Nancy Burson
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Working with two MIT engineers, artist Nancy Burson developed the technique of computer morphing faces in the late 1980s.

Description

In this image, Nancy Burson combined the face of a man with that of a chimpanzee. Ignoring the intermediate steps, Burson leapfrogs through the extremely long complex process of evolution to depict a single moment of transition between two species. It is not a scientifically accurate image of evolution, but an imaginary portrait that links humans with one of their genetic ancestors.
Pixelated black-and-white computer composite of chimpanzee and men's faces into a headshot that appears to be a mix of the two's features. The eyes, lips, and jaw appear more human while the chimpanzee ears are cast in shadow and the edges of the face are coated in short, bristly fur.

Evolution II (Chimpanzee and Man)

1984, printed 1999

Nancy Burson

(American, b. 1948)
America

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