Tiger Skin and Human Portrait In Grass
by British Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey
October 5, 2002 — March 31, 2003

Images grown into living grass

Their medium can only be described as grass. Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, two British artists, will grow a larger than life ‘tiger skin’ and a 6 x 4 ft. human portrait in grass — created by the manipulation of the photosynthetic process. The tiger skin and the portrait are actual images grown into living grass. The light sensitivity of grass and its consequent ability to record complex photographic images will inspire wonder. It also inspires questions about time, the natural processes of growth, erosion, and decay, and human intervention in nature’s supersensitive systems. Both works, on view at the Exploratorium from October 5, 2002 — March 31, 2003, are presented in conjunction with Traits of Life, the Exploratorium’s major new exhibit collection, opening October 5.

The tiger skin will be created by manipulation of the light-sensitive chlorophyll pigment essential for photosynthesis. If the growing grass is selectively denied light, the usual bright green pigment activated by the presence of light cannot be produced. The grass, in those areas, remains a vivid yellow. It is the contrast between the bright green and yellow areas that creates the final pelt-like quality of this tiger shaped young grass. Grassland also happens to be the habitat of the tiger and the botany of this ersatz skin. The grass tiger skin will be stretched and tethered on the wall of the Exploratorium, not unlike trophies of old. The public can touch the paws and tail — and watch the grasses’ transformation under the effects of air, light and moisture to see how this living system, as art, grows, fades and dies.

The human portrait is literally a photosynthetic portrait in stay-green grass, with individual blades of grass visible inside a traditional portrait frame. The portrait will emerge gradually, starting from grass seed, and transform where it is exposed to synchronized lighting through a projected photograph negative over a period of seven days. Once it comes into being, Dorian Gray-like, it will gradually fade. Alongside the portrait, a time- lapse video will show the process of the human face emerging in the grass, not unlike a traditional photograph developing in a tray of chemicals.

About the Artists

Currently artists in residence at the Exploratorium, Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey have worked collaboratively on an international level since 1990. Their art embraces site-specific installation, sculpture, landscape design, photography, performance, and film, and frequently reflects both architectural and scientific concerns. Afterlife, their first major solo show in London, was also one of their largest photographic photosynthesis works to date. Their permanent sculptural landscape design project, Molecular Pools, formally opened in the fall of 2001 in Oxford. The artists have recently completed a month-long residency at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston.

The Exploratorium is located inside the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco's Marina District. Museum admission is as follows: Members FREE; Adults (18-64) $10.00; University Students (with ID) $7.50; Senior citizens (65+) $7.50; People with disabilities $6.00; Youth (5-17) $6.00; Children Under 4 FREE. First Wednesdays of the month FREE. The Exploratorium's winter hours, from Labor Day through Memorial Day, are TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 10amÐ5pm (WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 9:00pm), CLOSED MONDAYS, except for most holidays. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Exploratorium is open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, from 10amÐ6pm (Wednesdays until 9pm). The Exploratorium is wheelchair accessible. For information, call(415) EXP-LORE.

CONTACT: LINDA DACKMAN (415) 561-0363 / Leslie Patterson (415) 561-0377