Studio PSK with Jan Komdeur

The Economics of Evolution: The Perfect Pigeon

In collaboration with University of Groningen, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies

In this work, Studio PSK predicts how economic pressures might shape the species’ genetics.

Historically, pigeons have been used as décor, entertainment in racing events and, of course, as messengers. They were used as far back as 2,000 years ago to spread news within the Roman Empire, and as recently as the Second World War in intelligence operations.

This project presents a near-future scenario in which the pigeon is once again harnessed for information transfer, but as tamper-proof biological couriers in the employ of biotech companies trying to protect their intellectual property. Through mixed media including physical props, images and narrative, Studio PSK highlights how economic pressure is steering evolution ever more precisely, replacing natural selection.