Awards

• Winner of IndieFab awards (Nature) 2008

Overview

This book invites readers to enter a two-floor virtual 'gallery' where 60-plus images of birds reflecting the accomplishments of human pictorial history are on display. These are works in a genre the authors term Science Art - that is, art that says something about the natural world and how it works. Darryl Wheye and Donald Kennedy show how these works of art can advance our understanding of the ways nature has been perceived over time, its current vulnerability, and our responsibility to preserve its wealth.Each room in the gallery is dedicated to a single topic. The rooms on the first floor show birds as icons, birds as resources, birds as teaching tools, and more. On the second floor, the images and their captions clarify what Science Art is and how the intertwining of art and science can change the way we look at each. The authors also provide a timeline linking scientific innovations with the production of images of birds, and they offer a checklist of steps to promote the creation and accessibility of Science Art. Readers who tour this unique and fascinating gallery will never look at art depicting nature in the same way again.

Full Product Details

Author:   Darryl Wheye ,  Donald Kennedy, PhD ,  Paul R. Ehrlich
Publisher:   Yale University Press
Imprint:   Yale University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 19.10cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.871kg
ISBN:  

9780300123883

ISBN 10:   0300123884
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   01 June 2008
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Wheye and Kennedy take a close look at humanity's relationship with birds. . . . They arrange this art . . . in a kind of virtual 'gallery' that tells, room by room, of birds as symbols, a natural resource, exemplars of important biological principles or as species useful in encouraging conservation. And they describe art that reveals bird behavior-individual, intraspecies and interspecies, including relations between birds and people. -- Cornelia Dean New York Times (10/06/2008)

[A] novel and fascinating volume. . . . It is an enthusiastic and enlightening account of the diverse ways our understanding of bird biology has been enhanced by art. . . . . The scientific monitoring of bird populations, motivated largely by a love of birds, provides a sensitive and accurate barometer of the quality of life. This book is a celebration of that fact. Tim Birkhead, IBIS --Tim Birkhead IBIS (01/01/2009) Informative and stimulating, a must-read book for any who have derided bird art in the past. It will change your thinking. Dave Gagon, Deseret News --Dave Gagon Deseret News (07/20/2008) Wheye and Kennedy take a close look at humanity's relationship with birds. . . . They arrange this art . . . in a kind of virtual 'gallery' that tells, room by room, of birds as symbols, a natural resource, exemplars of important biological principles or as species useful in encouraging conservation. And they describe art that reveals bird behavior individual, intraspecies and interspecies, including relations between birds and people. Cornelia Dean, New York Times --Cornelia Dean New York Times (10/06/2008) The images and captions in Humans, Nature, and Birds are all well-chosen, and the captions have the feel of an entertaining and informative gallery talk. Together they form a compelling exploration of one of the areas of life which is a source of great satisfaction for me and for so many fellow birders. This is one of my favorite books of 2008. -- Wayne Mones Audubon Magazine (03/08/2009) Wheye and Kennedy take a close look at humanity''s relationship with birds. . . . They arrange this art . . . in a kind of virtual ''gallery'' that tells, room by room, of birds as symbols, a natural resource, exemplars of important biological principles or as species useful in encouraging conservation. And they describe art that reveals bird behaviorindividual, intraspecies and interspecies, including relations between birds and people. Cornelia Dean, New York Times -- Cornelia Dean New York Times (10/06/2008) A half-century ago, George M. Suttons essay Is Bird-art Art? began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case.H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences -- H. Douglas Pratt Birds were thereon cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wrights painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Petersons first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it.Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University -- Stuart Pimm Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting.Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel -- Jared Diamond A half-century ago, George M. Sutton's essay Is Bird-art Art?' began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. -H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences -- H. Douglas Pratt Birds were there-on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright's painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson's first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. -Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. -Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel The authors take us in a new direction-an edgy new direction-and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science -Alan Brush, University of Connecticut 0;The authors7; use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt.1;2;Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University -- Timothy Goldsmith The authors' use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt. --Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University --Timothy Goldsmith The authors take us in a new direction--an edgy new direction--and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science --Alan Brush, University of Connecticut --Alan Brush Reading this book is like having a friend with a key to the natural history art museum. The authors take us on an excursion, conveying palpable delight in works of art from across the spectrum of time and around the world. --Julie Zickefoose, artist and author of Letters from Eden --Julie Zickefoose Masterfully demonstrates how art connects people to nature, advances science, and helps protect our environment. I'll never look at nature art the same way again. --John Flicker, President, National Audubon Society --John Flicker Birds were there--on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright's painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson's first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. --Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University --Stuart Pimm Tells a powerful and well-documented story of the interconnectedness of creative expression and birds, building a sound case for recognizing Science Art as a genre. --Kathy Kelsey Foley, Director, Woodson Art Museum --Kathy Kelsey Foley Beautifully examines where science and art overlap through the common territory of observation--and the human urge to both make sense of and embrace the great unknown. --James Prosek, painter and author --James Prosek A half-century ago, George M. Sutton's essay 'Is Bird-art Art?' began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. --H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences --H. Douglas Pratt Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. --Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel --Jared Diamond The authors use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt. Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University --Timothy Goldsmith The authors take us in a new direction an edgy new direction and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science Alan Brush, University of Connecticut --Alan Brush Tells a powerful and well-documented story of the interconnectedness of creative expression and birds, building a sound case for recognizing Science Art as a genre. Kathy Kelsey Foley, Director, Woodson Art Museum --Kathy Kelsey Foley Reading this book is like having a friend with a key to the natural history art museum. The authors take us on an excursion, conveying palpable delight in works of art from across the spectrum of time and around the world. Julie Zickefoose, artist and author of Letters from Eden --Julie Zickefoose Masterfully demonstrates how art connects people to nature, advances science, and helps protect our environment. I ll never look at nature art the same way again. John Flicker, President, National Audubon Society --John Flicker Birds were there on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright s painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson s first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University --Stuart Pimm Beautifully examines where science and art overlap through the common territory of observation and the human urge to both make sense of and embrace the great unknown. James Prosek, painter and author --James Prosek A half-century ago, George M. Sutton s essay Is Bird-art Art? began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences --H. Douglas Pratt The images and captions in Humans, Nature, and Birds are all well-chosen, and the captions have the feel of an entertaining and informative gallery talk. Together they form a compelling exploration of one of the areas of life which is a source of great satisfaction for me and for so many fellow birders. This is one of my favorite books of 2008. Wayne Mones, Audubon Magazine --Wayne Mones Audubon Magazine (03/08/2009) The authors lead us through a wonderland where science and art intersect. Thomas E. Lovejoy, co-author of Climate Change and Biodiversity --Thomas E. Lovejoy Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page.Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel --Jared Diamond

The authors take us in a new direction-an edgy new direction-and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science -Alan Brush, University of Connecticut A half-century ago, George M. Sutton's essay Is Bird-art Art?' began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. -H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences -- H. Douglas Pratt Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. -Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel Birds were there-on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright's painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson's first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. -Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University A half-century ago, George M. Suttons essay Is Bird-art Art? began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case.H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences -- H. Douglas Pratt Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting.Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel -- Jared Diamond Birds were thereon cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wrights painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Petersons first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it.Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University -- Stuart Pimm Wheye and Kennedy take a close look at humanity''s relationship with birds. . . . They arrange this art . . . in a kind of virtual ''gallery'' that tells, room by room, of birds as symbols, a natural resource, exemplars of important biological principles or as species useful in encouraging conservation. And they describe art that reveals bird behaviorindividual, intraspecies and interspecies, including relations between birds and people. Cornelia Dean, New York Times -- Cornelia Dean New York Times (10/06/2008) The images and captions in Humans, Nature, and Birds are all well-chosen, and the captions have the feel of an entertaining and informative gallery talk. Together they form a compelling exploration of one of the areas of life which is a source of great satisfaction for me and for so many fellow birders. This is one of my favorite books of 2008. -- Wayne Mones Audubon Magazine (03/08/2009) Wheye and Kennedy take a close look at humanity's relationship with birds. . . . They arrange this art . . . in a kind of virtual 'gallery' that tells, room by room, of birds as symbols, a natural resource, exemplars of important biological principles or as species useful in encouraging conservation. And they describe art that reveals bird behavior individual, intraspecies and interspecies, including relations between birds and people. Cornelia Dean, New York Times --Cornelia Dean New York Times (10/06/2008) Informative and stimulating, a must-read book for any who have derided bird art in the past. It will change your thinking. Dave Gagon, Deseret News --Dave Gagon Deseret News (07/20/2008) [A] novel and fascinating volume. . . . It is an enthusiastic and enlightening account of the diverse ways our understanding of bird biology has been enhanced by art. . . . . The scientific monitoring of bird populations, motivated largely by a love of birds, provides a sensitive and accurate barometer of the quality of life. This book is a celebration of that fact. Tim Birkhead, IBIS --Tim Birkhead IBIS (01/01/2009) The authors take us in a new direction an edgy new direction and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science Alan Brush, University of Connecticut --Alan Brush Beautifully examines where science and art overlap through the common territory of observation and the human urge to both make sense of and embrace the great unknown. James Prosek, painter and author --James Prosek Birds were there on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright s painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson s first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University --Stuart Pimm Tells a powerful and well-documented story of the interconnectedness of creative expression and birds, building a sound case for recognizing Science Art as a genre. Kathy Kelsey Foley, Director, Woodson Art Museum --Kathy Kelsey Foley Reading this book is like having a friend with a key to the natural history art museum. The authors take us on an excursion, conveying palpable delight in works of art from across the spectrum of time and around the world. Julie Zickefoose, artist and author of Letters from Eden --Julie Zickefoose Masterfully demonstrates how art connects people to nature, advances science, and helps protect our environment. I ll never look at nature art the same way again. John Flicker, President, National Audubon Society --John Flicker Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page.Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel --Jared Diamond A half-century ago, George M. Sutton s essay Is Bird-art Art? began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences --H. Douglas Pratt The authors lead us through a wonderland where science and art intersect. Thomas E. Lovejoy, co-author of Climate Change and Biodiversity --Thomas E. Lovejoy The authors use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt. Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University --Timothy Goldsmith The images and captions in Humans, Nature, and Birds are all well-chosen, and the captions have the feel of an entertaining and informative gallery talk. Together they form a compelling exploration of one of the areas of life which is a source of great satisfaction for me and for so many fellow birders. This is one of my favorite books of 2008. Wayne Mones, Audubon Magazine --Wayne Mones Audubon Magazine (03/08/2009) Beautifully examines where science and art overlap through the common territory of observation--and the human urge to both make sense of and embrace the great unknown. --James Prosek, painter and author --James Prosek Tells a powerful and well-documented story of the interconnectedness of creative expression and birds, building a sound case for recognizing Science Art as a genre. --Kathy Kelsey Foley, Director, Woodson Art Museum --Kathy Kelsey Foley Just as a glass of a fine wine is meant to be enjoyed sip by sip, this book will be enjoyed page by page. Its . . . thought-provoking images depict our age-old fascination with birds, ranging from the owl traced 30,000 years ago in Chauvet Cave, to the goshawk attacking grouse in a dramatic modern painting. --Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel --Jared Diamond A half-century ago, George M. Sutton's essay 'Is Bird-art Art?' began the rehabilitation of avian art in fine art circles. Humans, Nature, and Birds, in an elegant survey of the grand interplay of bird art and ornithology, makes the definitive case. --H. Douglas Pratt, Research Curator of Birds, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences --H. Douglas Pratt The authors take us in a new direction--an edgy new direction--and force us to consider broadly the relation between art and science --Alan Brush, University of Connecticut --Alan Brush Birds were there--on cave walls and rock shelters thirty millennia ago, on Egyptian tombs, in Joseph Wright's painting from the dawn of the Industrial Age, in Roger Tory Peterson's first biodiversity guide, and today, where art is the only record of many species now gone forever. Wheye and Kennedy assemble the ultimate exhibition of bird art, with detailed notes that say so much about our world and our view of it. --Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University --Stuart Pimm Reading this book is like having a friend with a key to the natural history art museum. The authors take us on an excursion, conveying palpable delight in works of art from across the spectrum of time and around the world. --Julie Zickefoose, artist and author of Letters from Eden --Julie Zickefoose Masterfully demonstrates how art connects people to nature, advances science, and helps protect our environment. I'll never look at nature art the same way again. --John Flicker, President, National Audubon Society --John Flicker The authors' use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt. --Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University --Timothy Goldsmith 0;The authors7; use of birds as a binding motif gives their book appeal and coherence, and the selection of art is eclectic and apt.1;2;Timothy Goldsmith, Yale University -- Timothy Goldsmith

Author Information

Darryl Wheye is a freelance artist and writer specializing primarily in birds and science art. Donald Kennedy is editor in chief of the journal Science. He is president emeritus and Bing Professor of Environmental Science emeritus, Stanford University.

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