This is a fascinating look at the resurgence of interest in the animal kingdom in contemporary art. Contemporary art has recently taken a particular interest in the animal world - not surprising given current debate on unprecedented ecological upheavals taking place in the natural world. This publication offers an opportunity to re-examine just what shapes our experience and understanding of nature and animals through mythology, natural science, ecology, ideology and, increasingly, the economy. Twenty artists from around the world question the place accorded animals and nature in today's universe. Among them, David Altmejd offers a work conceived specifically for the occasion; Trevor Gould creates an installation for the Sculpture Garden; and dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei presents Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold. With essays and illustrations presented and organized to remind the reader of a natural history manual, the book reads as an encyclopaedia of ideas about animals and their relationship to humans and to art.

Visual artist(s): Weiwei Ai, Mark Dion, Nathalie Djurberg, Trevor Gould, Renee Green, Mona Hatoum, Liz Magor, Kevin Schmidt, Kiki Smith