In a recent acquisition by the Tate Museum in London, Singaporean artist Robert Zhao's A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World has garnered attention for its unique exploration of genetically altered species. The artist, who works under the Institute of Critical Zoologists, which he founded, seeks to develop a critical approach to investigate how humans view animals, incorporating perspectives often overlooked in animal studies, such as aesthetics.
Zhao's project delves into the blurred boundaries between the natural and the man-made, prompting questions around the classification of certain species. For instance, he raises the intriguing case of the goldfish, which, despite having been domesticated for thousands of years, does not have a scientific name and is largely absent from natural history encyclopedias. This realization led Zhao to a broader inquiry into the impact of human intervention on flora and fauna, reflecting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Responsible Consumption And Production.
A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World is not a conventional encyclopedia but rather a visual compendium presented through photographs and digitally manipulated images. Zhao Renhui personally captures the presented photographs and then digitally manipulates certain ones to capture the myriad ways in which living organisms have been actively modified by human influence or have adapted to survive in a world increasingly shaped by human activities.
The series opens with an often overlooked subject—the goldfish, a creature whose extensive breeding for aesthetic traits has resulted in numerous variations. Aside from the goldfish, the project includes other genetically modified animals like the Rainbow Star Warrior fish and the fluorescent zebrafish, which emphasize how human-made choices have shaped the appearance and behaviour of these creatures. The project also catalogues instances such as grape candies made of grape flavouring and food colouring that have been mistaken for real ones in Chinese markets, despite the fact that grape flavouring does not taste much like real grapes.
Zhao's work extends beyond domesticated animals. It also includes an extremely overweight polar bear that has been affected by climate change, as well as rhinos and elephants that are evolving with smaller tusks due to pressures from poachers. Each photograph tells a story of how human actions, whether intentional or unintentional, have shaped the evolutionary trajectory of different species.
Zhao publishes the project as the Institute of Critical Zoologists, a fictional entity that allows him to employ the guise of science in order to convey his artistic statements. Zhao Renhui's innovative use of scientific language and encyclopaedia-like appearance challenges viewers to give the same level of trust and belief in art as they would in science.
Each creature entry comes with detailed descriptive captions to accompany the images, playing a crucial role in enhancing the understanding of each piece. This educational dimension aligns with the artist's broader mission to engage viewers in a critical contemplation of the impact of human actions on the environment.
Originally published in 2013, a segment of A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World has also recently been republished as part of the Atlas for the End of the World, a series of maps that focuses on the human impact on biodiversity and ecological hotspots.
In conclusion, Robert Zhao Renhui's A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World stands as an encyclopaedic exploration of genetically altered species, reflecting humanity's influence on the natural world. Through visually striking images and thoughtful captions, the artist invites audiences to reconsider their notions of what is natural and what is man-made. This artistic endeavour challenges viewers to broaden their perspectives on the intricate relationships between humans and the environment.