Fibonacci Rabbit Generator (2001/2010)

Fibonacci Rabbit Generator (2001/2010)

54 breeding rabbit modules (Crystacast plaster), paint, tape

Size variable

This idea was conceived in 2001, short-listed for the Jerwood Sculpture Prize in 2003 and completed at the Mile End Art Pavilion, London UK in 2010.

Description

Fibonacci Rabbit Generator is a Floor-based sculpture, environmental in scale. It will consist of sets of identical cast modules, each one representing a pair of breeding rabbits. Each mathematical set of modules will correspond to a Fibonacci number [e.g. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8] and will be painted a colour of the rainbow-spectrum [red, orange, yellow etc.]. The sets will be laid out in the form of a family tree, inaugurated by a white rabbit module. There will be a minimum of fifty-four rabbits.

Idea

The supposition of Alison Gill’s enquiry hinges on mathematics representing growth in nature. The Fibonacci series was originated by Leonardo Fibonacci in his work Liber Abaci (A.D. 1228), were he refers to breeding rabbits. The sculpture will represent a hypothetical model of nature. It is a hypothetical model because in reality rabbits do not breed with the systematic fecundity the Fibonacci series proffers and yet the proportional geometry utilising the Fibonacci series does correspond to many harmonious natural growth forms such as spiral shells and galaxies, and was explored in another of Alison Gill’s sculptures – ‘Transporter’ – also previously exhibited at the Jerwood Gallery. By adding one number to its predecessor exponential growth is implied. Potentially, or in the mind of the viewer, the work extends for infinity. This exploits the misconception about the breeding rates of rabbits that often greatly exaggerate their reproductive power.

The tropes of wonder: rainbows, albinos and ‘the white rabbit’, all have popular currency in the imagination and rarity in ‘the wild’. Their emblematic, striking visual and physical presence within the sculpture will invite yet another playful detour in the internal space of the viewer embracing both the imaginary and logical realms.

They have such lost, degraded souls, No wonder they inhabit holes. (Anonymous)

Few animals have acquired such an extraordinary, controversial reputation. The humorous and emotive image of the sculpture will recognise this, linking the mathematics of the Fibonacci series with cultural, historical and biographical references.

As part of ‘Off the Clock’ exhibition, curated by ALISN a non-profit collaborative arts organisation. The public were invited to join Gavin Turk in a one-day special event assisting Alison Gill in the making of her ongoing sculpture Fibonacci Rabbits Generator. All who took part are credited below.

Event Details

Alison Gill, familiar to many Londoners from the “100 Years, 100 Artists” posters on the underground, will spend the 7th of November 2010 working with the public as assistants on her 2003 Jerwood Sculpture Prize shortlisted project ‘Fibonacci Rabbit Generator’. Gill was employed as assistant to Gavin Turk from 1999 to 2001, during which time she worked on his bronze bin bags, boxes and the figure in a sleeping bag. In a twist of fate, her erstwhile employer will spend Sunday 7th of November with Gill, working as her assistant for the day and helping her to realise her own project. Two workshop spaces will be set up and the visiting public will be encouraged to join in as assistants on the project alongside Gavin. All participants will be credited as assistants.

Assistants Credits

The following assistants contributed to the completion of Fibonacci Rabbit Generator at the Mile End Art Pavilion, London UK:

6 November 2010

Sophie Blagden

Sophie Woodfield

Sian Landau

Ellen Kim

7 November 2010

Anna Bleeker

Sanchez Lee-Nelson

Oliver Stewart

Verity Wyatt

Nick Jaffe

Nathan Midgley

Martin Ballhatchet

Julia Pomeroy

Nick Pomeroy

Ron Pomeroy

Gerald McKenzie

Ava McKenzie

Ralph Berryman

Sian Landau

Ellen Kim

Iavor Lubomirov

Gavin Turk