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Amalia Pica In alphabetical order Catalogue of great ape gestures 2018 Photo Louis Lim 6

Catalogue of great ape gestures (in alphabetical order) (2018)

by  Amalia Pica and Rafael Ortega

part of  Exhibition: And Say the Animal Responded?

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At the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, researchers studying apes compiled a ‘Great Ape Dictionary’. The gestures used by wild gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos reveal surprising similarities across the different species.

The researchers catalogued dozens of common gestures, from “arms wave”, “beckon”, “clap” and “dangle” to “stroke” and “tandem walk”. The dance choreography follows the ape repertoire in alphabetical order.

Courtesy of the artist and Herald St.

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