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A group of seven international artists explore the blurred space between utopia and dystopia that the 1968 study of mice by sociologist John Calhoun predicted for humanity.
ARTISTS: Phoebe Evans, Bethany Hadfield, Yaya Yajie Liang, Serpil Mavi Üstün, Bi Rongrong, Joanna van Son, Caroline Zurmely
In 1968, American ethologist John Calhoun began an experiment into the effects of overcrowding; Universe 25. He introduced four rodent couples into a specially designed and enclosed shelter.
In only 600 days, despite never reaching the hypothetical maximum capacity of the shelter, the explosive population growth turned into a total collapse of the mice colony.
Regardless of the rigorous maintenance of utopian living conditions such as abundant water, food, and perfect climate conditions, the mice became increasingly violent, developed cannibalism and were eventually unable to reproduce or rear their young.
