Of Evolution and Wonder
In-between a prehistoric poster and a model parasite sits Professor Mark Field, an evolutionary biologist and parasitologist enduring a pandemic. Time is on my mind and I am thinking about evolution as endurance in the face of an infinite horizon.
I’m becoming increasingly aware of the extent to which nature is disinterested in a vacuum. So even in uncertain times, what we can be certain of is that, life and nature around us will continue to evolve and make the most of all possible opportunities in the pursuit of survival.
As I listen to Mark speak about his passion for investigating evolutionary biology questions surrounding parasites and their human hosts, I realise that what I am searching for is wonder. That moment when he as a person comes alight from within. I find that glow half way through this conversation when he speaks about the eukaryote tree of life and the way he is fascinated by core biological structures and the elements that coat this ‘hazelnut.’
Two words repeated often between us here are flexibility and evolvability; is something malleable and can it change? Are we malleable, can we change? In my work I am always looking for new ways to explore movement and growth, be that external or internal. This conversation with Mark has me thinking about time layering, looping and overlapping itself, reflected as well in the tools of the digital space. If these prehistoric and parasitic extremities can act as anchors, then it is the human in motion expressing that sense of wonder that I can really play with.
The end is only the beginning.
Emily