The first name that comes to mind when considering the theory of natural selection? Charles Darwin. But Darwin wasn't the first. Alfred Russel Wallace, a humble and seemingly very trusting man, sent Darwin a detailed paper on the subject that prompted the more well-connected naturalist to gather his thoughts for a hasty joint presentation. On the centennial of Wallace's death, London's Natural History Museum attempted to remedy public perception by posting all of Wallace's correspondence and hanging his portrait next to Darwin's statue in the main hall. On this side of the pond, award-winning Sweet Fern Productions created The Animated Life of A.R. Wallace for a New York Times op-doc series, employing glorious paper puppets. While the short film doesn't go into Wallace's work in biogeography and ecology (he was among the first to publish concerns about humans' impact on nature) or his avid support of suffragettes, it is a charming introduction to a remarkable man. It's shown with Aesthetic Species Map and Zea.
The Animated Life of A.R. Wallace screens at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. at the Exploratorium, Pier 15, S.F. Tickets included in $17-$29 museum admission; 528-4444 or exploratorium.edu.
415-528-4444
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