Rocketboom

We’ve been noticing a small flurry of chatter across the web about apes watching TV. Real life imitates art while imitating sci-fi movies, oh my!

Los Angeles based Rachel Mayeri is taking this concept to the next level by creating films specifically designed to appeal to the tastemaker apes in question. Her Primate Cinema is a two video installation at the Edinburgh Zoo: one video designed to entertain the primate subjects, while the other explores the findings of the ape audience’s reactions to the film.

Reports on the primates’ choice in programming brings a humorous insight into their relation to human intelligence. Many prefer Disney cartoons and Teletubbies, which seems right on par with their relative human counterparts (kids, if you can’t piece it together). The surprising choice by a small group of apes was ER, which really makes me question the intelligence of the hit show. It certainly bolsters the argument that the key to success is appealing to the lowest common denominator. Here’s to hoping Primate Cinema doesn’t sell out in a similar fashion anytime soon.