Animal Magnetism September 27, 2003

From the cryptic paintings on the walls of prehistoric caves to the pop TV zoology of Animal Planet, image making has played a central role in recording and shaping the diverse - and often contradictory - attitudes humans hold toward the animal world. The Exploratorium explores this theme in Animal Magnetism, featuring works by mostly contemporary artists who explore this terrain, challenging visitors to examine and reinvent the way we see animals and our relationships to them. The artists featured in this collection range from hunter/taxidermists of the nineteenth century to contemporary media artists who use the latest in interactive software.