We are thrilled to present, Multispecies Inc.- a fictional organization through which artists and designers Parsons & Charlesworth (Jessica Charlesworth and Tim Parsons) explore multiple species’ future imaginaries. Over the past two years this research-based project has generated works that provide a glimpse into a world of multispecies cohabitation, non-human-centric living and AI biome modeling. Weaving together elements of speculative fiction, environmental science, worldbuilding and design, the project fosters dialogue and critical inquiry into the complex challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, encouraging a rethinking of our attitudes toward species, and the role technology plays in that relationship.  

Space & Time presents a selection of Parsons & Charlesworth’s ongoing and multidimensional project: Multispecies Inc. Digital and hand drawn collage hybrids hint at the lives of fictional members and the internal structure of the organization. Works on paper illustrate imaginary and very real contraptions that are schemes for species co-habitation, generated by the collective. These include: an apparatus for making kin with algae, a nomadic fog collector, and a wearable device for feeling the health of a tree. Projected on the windows of the gallery in the evenings is an animated 3D virtual environment titled, Eco Fables: Tales of Multispecies Inc. It features excerpts from the book of short stories, Multispecies Inc. Volume 1. This publication is available for purchase in a new limited edition at the gallery. Initially this debuted in 2022 at The New Museum’s NEW INC dinner entitled Microbial Chorale, at the Ace Hotel, Brooklyn with a reading by Taja Cheek (singer, musician and composer L’Rain). This is Parsons & Charlesworth’s first solo exhibition in Chicago since 2016.

Art Making Workshop: Sunday, June 2nd from 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Parsons & Charlesworth will lead an art making workshop exploring making in response to their Multispecies Inc. project. This event is free and open to the public. All ages, children and families are welcome and materials are provided.

Artist Bios:
Parsons and Charlesworth have exhibited worldwide including 17th International Architecture Exhibition- La Biennale di Venezia, Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Piknic (Seoul), Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia (MAAT Lisbon), Science Gallery Dublin, Istanbul Design Biennial, the Museum of Contemporary Art(Chicago), London Design Festival and the Chicago Cultural Center. Recent honors include a 2022 Canada Council for the Arts grant, a 2021 Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts grant, support from the British Council, a 2020 Mitchell Enhancement Award from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a 2019 Canada Council for the Arts grant. Notable artist residencies include the 2023 Artist-In-Residence Project Space at Headlands Center for the Arts, the 2019 Artist-In-Residence at Krems, Austria, the 2016 Residency at Kriti Gallery, Varanasi, India, Their work is featured in various private collections and in the permanent collection at the MAK Vienna and DePaul Art Museum.

More info: parsonscharlesworth.com