First Dawn (The Signal)
June 6 - 29, 2025
Whippersnapper Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Museum of Human Predation and the Animal Remembrance Commission presents:
The First Dawn: The Interstellar Signal that Remade Our World
June 6 - 29, XXXX
This exhibition was a presentation by the Museum of Human Predation of an artifact called First Dawn, known simply as the Signal. First Dawn is the earliest known example of an animal-created Cognitive Inscription, or CogIns. To the best of our knowledge, First Dawn has been broadcasting its message beyond our galaxy without pause since before it was human-discovered. This exhibition consisted of the artifact itself and a translation of its message via projected text and images.
Images used in the Signal transmission are from We Animals/We Animals Media, and the following photographers:
Shatabdi Chakrabarti
Molly Condit
Eyes on Animals
Israel Against Live Shipments
Victoria de Martigny
Jo-Anne McArthur
Ira Moon
Gabriela Penela
Sinergia Animal
Andrew Skowron
Havva Zorlu
Additional image sources are:
Armor Animal Health, Veterinary Service Inc
Beef Magazine
BigIron Auctions
Canadian Cattlemen Magazine
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Fair Oaks Farms
Chris Herrera, Design and Construction of a Portable Artificial Insemination Chute, dissertation (California Polytechnic State University, 2012)
IMV Technologies, Polysem catalogue
Lee Agri-Media
Milk Producer Magazine
Progressive Dairy Magazine
Royal Veterinary College, Wellcome Collection
University of British Columbia Centre for Dairy Education and Research
University of Georgia Extension Circular, Halter Training
University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Cattle Restraint Methods
University of Sydney, Animal Management Course Material
Washington State University Extension, Dairy Calf Housing and Environment
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
Photo by Darren Rigo
This exhibition is part of a programming series supported by Collective Collective.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and Whippersnapper Gallery.
The creators of this exhibition are M.H. Tse, Yshia Wallace, Petrina Ng and Rachel Wallace.
Exhibit Photos by Darren Rigo.