The chronicle of <cognition> is a collaborative project tracing histories of human and non-human cognition through a series of live events, online contributions and a large-scale wall work. With an emphasis on neurodiversity in Aotearoa, the project addresses how the topic of cognition inherently intersects with global discussions concerning white supremacy, disability, gender, sexuality, animal rights, biodiversity and artificial intelligence. Each contributor is asked to present a narrative thread that situates this discussion in relation to key events in a range of disciplines, such as science, technology, policy, activism, art, film or literature.
Content disclaimer: This work address historical and continuing discrimination against Māori, disabled and neurodivergent peoples that some people might find challenging.
Contributors
Eugene Hansen (Maniapoto) has a long-term multimedia art practice exhibiting nationally and internationally. Eugene attributes his interest in collaboration to growing up in the remote rural Māori community where cultural production was modelled as an inherently collaborative embracing of mātauranga Māori. He gained a BFA (Sculpture) from Canterbury University in 1991 and an MFA (RMIT, Melbourne) in 1998.
Jenny Gillam is a multimedia artist interested in the socio-politics of ecology; aspects of current debate around ecological tensions; humankind’s relationship with animals and our place in the natural world. Her art projects are often produced collaboratively with other artists or with experts from other fields. Gillam trained as a photographer in the early 1990s and gained an MFA (RMIT, Melbourne) in 1999.
Karen Waldie is a Professor in the School of Psychology and with the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. Her research involves neuroimaging techniques, longitudinal data analysis and neuropsychological testing for depression, dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
Mike Styles is a literacy, numeracy and dyslexia specialist, whose research and experience includes conducting adult testing for dyslexia in workplace, educational and corrections settings.
Paula Booker is an independent curator, arts practitioner & gardener from Tāmaki, currently based in Coast Salish territories in British Columbia, Canada. Her latest projects focus on land-based art practices and unsettling settler-coloniality.
Richard Durham is a game designer with a research focus on education and play, and the Curriculum Development Manager at Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, University of Auckland.
Ruth Lemon (Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Ngāti Pākehā ngā iwi) who is a doctoral candidate and lecturer at Faculty of Education and Social Work, Te Puna Wānanga, University of Auckland, whose research includes Māori and Pākehā histories of education in Aotearoa.
Tim Danko, Mapura Studios