Ardak Mukanova

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Atlas of Extinctions and Evolutions

Project made at the Re-Practice Laboratory 2024 by Tselinny Center for Contemporary Culture.

repractice2024.org

 Project by: Dimash Komekov & Ardak Mukanova.

Mentors: Lena Pozdnyakova, Ildar Iakubov.
Atlas of Extinctions and Evolutions aims to draw attention to animals on the brink of extinction and raise awareness about their disappearance. This project combines real data on extinct and endangered species with speculative visions of future adaptations shaped by the Anthropocene. By presenting information from the Red Book of Kazakhstan alongside imagined forecasts of how species might evolve or vanish, the project seeks to engage viewers and spark discussions about possible future scenarios.

Our research, which incorporates global sources and projections, highlights the profound impact of climate change and human activity on biodiversity. The project emphasizes the urgent need for understanding and action to combat environmental degradation, advocating for sustainable practices to protect the planet and ensure harmonious coexistence with nature.

Through this work, we aim to inspire meaningful change and contribute to the creation of a sustainable future.







We experimented with using Stable Diffusion in combination with TouchDesigner, basing the generation on existing species of organisms. The experiments were compiled into a single book, which will continue to evolve and expand over time.





References:

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  2. Kessler, D., & Bidashko, O. (2022). The historically abundant Great Bustard (Otis) is almost extirpated from western Kazakhstan. Eurasian Bustard Alliance. Retrieved from http://eurasianbustardalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Kessler-Bidashko-The-historically-abundant-Great-Bustard-Otis-is-almost-extirpated-from-western-Kazakhstan.pdf
  3. Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Alarming decline of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) world population over the last two decades. Bird Conservation International. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/alarming-decline-of-the-great-bustard-otis-tarda-world-population-over-the-last-two-decades/B2E33F5C5152A6589D82CB5C29F83CFA
  4. Koshkin, M. A., et al. (2022). The diminished status of the Great Bustard in central Kazakhstan. Eurasian Bustard Alliance. Retrieved from http://test.eurasianbustardalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Koshkin-et-al-The-diminished-status-of-the-Great-Bustard-in-central-Kazakhstan.pdf
  5. BirdLife International. (n.d.). Great Bustard (Otis tarda) species factsheet. Retrieved from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/great-bustard-otis-tarda/text
  6. Kashkarov, R., et al. (2022). The historical and current status of the Great Bustard in Uzbekistan. Eurasian Bustard Alliance. Retrieved from http://eurasianbustardalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Kashkarov-et-al-The-historical-and-current-status-of-the-Great-Bustard-in-Uzbekistan.pdf
  7. Alarming decline of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) world population over the last two decades. (2022). Bird Conservation International. DOI: 10.1017/S095927092200003X
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  9. Kessler, D., et al. (2022). Status of the Western Great Bustard (Otis tarda tarda) in Asia and its significance to an updated estimate of the global population of Great Bustards. Academia.edu. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/86929254/Status_of_the_Western_Great_Bustard_Otis_tarda_tarda_in_Asia_and_its_significance_to_an_updated_estimate_of_the_global_population_of_Great_Bustards
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  17. WWF. (n.d.). Return of the Tiger: What Will It Take to Bring Them Back to Kazakhstan?. Retrieved from https://tigers.panda.org/news_and_stories/stories/return_of_the_tiger__what_will_it_take_to_bring_them_back_to_kazakhstan_/
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  26. BMC Zoology. (2017). Status of the Western Great Bustard in Asia. Retrieved from https://bmczool.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40850-017-0025-y
  27. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Desert Dormouse. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_dormouse


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