Press Release February 2014
From the War of Nature NEW EXHIBITION EXPLORES THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE IN THE NATURAL WORLD NEW CHARACTERS JOIN MUSEUM COLLECTION TO TELL THE STORY OF COMPETITION, CO-OPERATION AND COLLABORATION MANCHESTER MUSEUM COMMEMORATES THE 1914 CENTENARY WITH INVESTIGATION OF CONFLICT IN NATURE 11 April – 7 September 2014 Private View 10 April 2014 Manchester Museum Free Entry Boxing hares, burrowing parasites, baby birds and prowling wolves are just some of the characters appearing in this story of predation, competition, co-operation and collaboration. The exhibition reveals that living things resolve conflict in many, often unexpected, ways and aims to challenge the perception that war an inevitable outcome of conflict. From the War of Nature coincides with the nationwide commemoration of the start of World War I. The title comes from Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, published in 1859. Drawing upon more recent scientific discoveries about the relationships between living things, the exhibition explores the place of war in nature, and the idea of a ‘struggle for existence’. The idea of a ‘war of nature’ developed in Europe from the 18th century onwards. Visions of a harmonious, perfect balance were replaced by a vision of nature with animals and plants constantly struggling for life against the environment and against one another. This ‘struggle for existence’ was most famously used by Charles Darwin to help to explain why animals and plants evolve over time by natural selection. Struggle for Existence', George Bouverie Goddard, 1879 © National Museums Liverpool.
In the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, we re-examine the idea of the ‘war of nature’. We explore the background to the idea and how it has been modified over time. We explore how conflict between individual animals and plants also gives rise to collaboration, co-operation and co-dependency. We also ask what it means to say whether or not war is somehow ‘natural’ and what that means for people today and in the future. Many species are threatened with extinction, as a consequence of changes to their habitats and because of over-use, often caused by people. While this is very alarming, there is some hope. If people can make space for nature in their lives, by supporting conservation and by being careful how they use resources, people can work together with nature to help maintain a safe and diverse natural world. For more information please contact Tim Manley, Head of Marketing and Communications tim.manley@manchester.ac.uk 07810 152655
Evolutionary biology has found that there is no single way to view living things. They can be selfish and selfless at the same time. Just as it is in nature, humans have found many different ways to negotiate conflict, including collaborating, finding compromises and win-win situations. Far from being inevitable, war is only one possible outcome of conflict. Henry McGhie, Head of Collections and curator of Zoology said: ‘The old view of nature red in tooth and claw is no more ‘real’ than a view of a peaceful nature, or of many other kinds of relationships. Individual plants and animals live in conflict with one another, where they want different things. But more often than not they divide resources up, or avoid actual aggression. The common usage of the word ‘conflict’ loses those subtleties, but it is surely reassuring to think that people, with great capacity for empathy and collaboration, are not consigned to behave in any particular way, or to justify that by saying it is somehow ‘natural’. Dr Nick Merriman, Director of Manchester Museum said: 'The exhibition reminds us that humans, through their exploitation of land and animals, are the cause of some of the conflict that we see in the natural world. It is our responsibility, therefore to support conservation efforts, and to consider the impact we have when we use natural resources' The exhibition shows new taxidermy specimens displaying animal behaviours including: a wolf, boxing hares, starlings being chased by a sparrowhawk and a mole and blackbird fighting over a worm.
Family of starlings (detail), Courtesy of Manchester Museum © Paul Cliff
From the War of Nature (#WarofNature) will run from 11 April 2014 to 7 September 2014 in the Museum's temporary exhibitions gallery. ENDS CONTACT For further information please contact Tim Manley, Head of Marketing and Communication at Manchester Museum tim.manley@manchester.ac.uk / 07810 152655 Notes to Editors About Manchester Museum Manchester Museum is the UK’s largest university museum and all of its collections are designated by the government as being of national and international importance. Since 2011 the Museum has undergone several major redevelopments, transforming our Ancient Worlds and Living Worlds galleries, as well as opening Natures Library and breathing new life into the Vivarium in autumn 2013. As a university museum, Manchester Museum uses its international collection of human and natural history for enjoyment and inspiration. Working with people from all backgrounds, the Museum provokes debate and reflection about the past, present and future of the earth and its inhabitants and uses its collection to promote understanding between cultures and to help work towards a sustainable world. Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL 0161 275 2648 museum.manchester.ac.uk Opening times: 10am-5pm every day. Closed: 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan Follow us on Twitter @McrMuseum For more information please contact Tim Manley, Head of Marketing and Communications tim.manley@manchester.ac.uk 07810 152655
Commemorating the First World War Centenary From the War of Nature is a part of the First World War Centenary. From 2014 to 2018, across the world, nations, communities and individuals of all ages will come together to mark, commemorate and remember the lives of those who lived, fought and died in the First World War. Manchester Museum is a partner in the Imperial War Museum’s First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of local, regional, national and international cultural and educational organisations. In Manchester, many of the cultural, educational and historical institutions are commemorating the Centenary with events and exhibitions. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/McrWW1
Manchester’s cultural investment Manchester Museum is part of a consortium of Manchester creative venues going through an exciting stage in the city’s cultural development. Manchester is proudly investing in its institutions placing itself firmly on the map for local and international creative tourists. The Central Library reopens in March 2014, beautifully refurbished and extended with its historic features sensitively restored and transformed. Whitworth Art Gallery reopens in autumn 2014, transforming itself into a new 21st Century gallery in the park. Home, the brand new production centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film formed by the merger of Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company, opens in 2015.
For more information please contact Tim Manley, Head of Marketing and Communications tim.manley@manchester.ac.uk 07810 152655