On December 21, 2024, the exhibition "ARC'TERYX Genesis and Evolution Exhibition" officially opened. Organized by ARC'TERYX in collaboration with UCCA Lab, a division of UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, and NICE PaleoVislab, IVPP, this exhibition brings together science and design to explore the story behind the brand’s iconic logo. Following the success of the inaugural exhibition at the ARC'TERYX MUSEUM in 2024, "Evolution of the Legendary ARC'TERYX Alpha SV Jacket," ARC'TERYX and UCCA Lab reunite to delve into the backstory of the brand’s logo, tracing the origins of modern birds and the evolutionary philosophy that has guided the brand’s innovation for over three decades.  

In the late 19th century, the discovery of the "Berlin Specimen" of Archaeopteryx—a fossil with remarkably well-preserved feathers—captivated paleontologists and the public alike. With its striking blend of reptilian and avian characteristics, Archaeopteryx remains the earliest and most primitive bird known to date. In fact, it has since become an enduring symbol of evolution. Nearly a century later, the outdoor brand ARC'TERYX was founded in North Vancouver, Canada, inspired by the surrounding Coast Mountains and dedicated to creating superior products. For ARC'TERYX, every design embodies a commitment to evolution — not as a means of outpacing competitors,  but as a pursuit to overcome the seemingly impossible. To the brand, evolution is not merely adaptation; it is a continuous journey of  redefining boundaries.

The brand name and logo of ARC'TERYX were born from a moment of serendipity. In 1991, while brainstorming potential brand names, the founders discovered a photograph of the Berlin Specimen in a book. The significance of the Archaeopteryx  fossil in the whole theory and concept of evolution resonated deeply with their vision, inspiring the name "ARC'TERYX." This extraordinary creature and the outdoor brand rooted in the Canadian Coast Mountains formed an unexpected yet harmonious connection. The Berlin Specimen thus transformed from a symbol of evolutionary progress into the emblem of innovation for ARC'TERYX. This exhibition revisits that pivotal moment, exploring the intertwined evolution of species and brand through the narrative language of contemporary art and the inquisitive spirit of natural sciences through three progressive chapters.

Chapter 1, “Evolve is Our Mindset,” juxtaposes the origins of modern bird species with the origins of the ARC'TERYX brand. It draws a parallel between the evolutionary legends of species and the philosophy of innovation embedded in the brand's DNA. Archaeopteryx appeared in the Late Jurassic Epoch, around 150 million years ago. Its clawed feet of Archaeopteryx, inherited from theropod dinosaurs, helped it climb trees and cliffs, while its evolving forelimbs evolved into wings, enabling it to take flight. Just as birds evolved gradually into capable flyers in nature, the early craftsmanship of ARC'TERYX evolved through continuous experimentation, ultimately leading to groundbreaking innovations such as the Vapor™ and WaterTight™ zippers.

Chapter 2, "Evolution by Design," takes the iconic Alpha SV outdoor jacket from ARC'TERYX to illustrate the brand’s continuous innovation with this flagship product’s ongoing iterations of over more than 25 years.  With this Chapter, visitors will gain an in-depth look at the seven generations of the Alpha SV from 1998 to 2025, and discover the meticulous craftsmanship  embedded in its design. Highlights include the increasingly narrow micro seams and seam tape, the Stormhood, and the brand's more than 29-year of collaboration with GORE-TEX.

Chapter 3, "Evolution in Practice," invites viewers into an immersive visual space that offers a glimpse into the perspectives of ARC'TERYX designers and athletes as they "navigate" icy landscapes, steep granite cliffs, and lush temperate rainforests. Located just an hour’s drive from the Coast Mountains near North Vancouver, the brand’s headquarters enjoy unparalleled access to these extreme environments. This proximity allows designers to personally test gear in the rugged  conditions that inspire and and challenge their creations, ensuring that each product delivers its expected performance in the real-world. The Chapter culminates in an interactive experience, where visitors have the opportunity to wear the Alpha SV jacket and step into an immersive simulation of its rigorous testing in the Coast Mountains, encountering the formidable trails of extreme weather and complex terrains.

A key highlight of the exhibition is the result of a collaboration with NICE PaleoVislab, IVPP, presenting their meticulously reconstructed digital Archaeopteryx to the public for the first time. NICE PaleoVislab, IVPP is a globally unique laboratory platform utilizing a whole set of tomographic and computational methods to analyze and reconstruct prehistoric backboned animals. Based on comprehensive and precision CT data, NICE PaleoVislab develops and use cutting-edge techniques for the detailed, high-precision, and multi-scale 3D morphological studies of the biology of the prehistoric animals and their evolution in deep time.

Based on high-resolution CT data and detailed anatomical studies, NICE PaleoVislab restored the complete skeleton of the Berlin Specimen, in articulation and in 3D for this exhibition. The Berlin Specimen (HMN 1880/81) is the most famous of the thirteen Archaeopteryx  fossils discovered to date. It is the first to preserve the head of Archaeopteryx. Of course, it is also the prototype that inspired the ARC'TERYX brand logo. The Berlin Specimen is compressed into a nearly two-dimensional plane, much like a picture. To present the appearance of this animal in life, the team meticulously extracted the 3D morphology of every single bone from the CT data of the fossil, then reassemble these bones in three-dimensional computer space to form a complete, anatomically accurate skeleton. On top of this, the team restored the muscles, skin, feathers and other soft tissues, allowing us to glimpse the "living" Archaeopteryx. Visitors can also immerse themselves into a recreation of the fossil site where the Archaeopteryx was discovered over a century ago and investigate other key "missing links"—transitional prehistoric species that illuminate the evolutionary journey from dinosaurs to birds.  

Spatial design for this exhibition was  by Shen Ruofan, carrying forward the design language from the inaugural exhibition of the ARC'TERYX MUSEUM. The inclined floor that metaphorically represents the ascent of mountaineering, while reflecting the brand's roots in the Coast Mountains and its foundation in high-altitude landscapes.