What Can Science Do for Art?

Last Updated (Wednesday, 08 February 2012 10:40) Written by Raymond Nakamura

Abstract

Recently, I saw some work by students from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD) in response to meeting with scientists from TRIUMF (which is now just a name; it no longer stands for "Tri-University Meson Facility" because they now have more than 17 members and don't use mesons any more). To find out more on this interaction between art and science, I contacted ingrid Koenig, the artist and instructor at ECUAD who initiated the program, and Claire David and David Morrissey, two of the scientists who participated from TRIUMF.

Introduction

Over fifty years ago, C.P. Snow was concerned about bridging the gap between the two cultures arts and sciences. If you are a fan of Science World, then maybe you are the sort of person who sees the connections already. The coordinators of this project certain seem to be those sorts of people. Ingrid Koenig in her own work explores scientific theories as they relate to human experience. Claire David has started working on artistic interpretations of scientific data. David Morrissey described himself as a "fan of art" but he also had a pragmatic reason for connecting science to the rest of the world, "a public that is interested and excited about science is more likely to keep on funding us in the future."

Materials and Methods

The students were part of the third year Art-Student-in-Residence Program at TRIUMF, course called Black Holes and Other Transformations of Energy. They generally have an interest in science already, though not necessarily much academic background in it. "Most avoided physics before, not due to lack of interest, but because they were not interested in the mathematical component necessary to study physics," Koenig said.

The scientists both acknowledged the challenging of interpreting scientific ideas for a non technical audience because of unfamiliar jargon, but also the use of familiar words that have unfamiliar technical meanings.
As part of the course, they have to do technical readings in quantum physics. David Morrissey gave a presentation about the elusive Higgs boson at the centre of everything. Students working in a variety of media created works in response to their experiences.

Results

I only saw four pieces from the course, which were on display at the Tapestry building at UBC. Yet these were quite diverse and seemed to reflect the major themes that Koenig recognized in the class as a whole.

Flour, Sugar, Photography by Waan Mahawanitwong was a series of photographs of flour and sugar arranged on dark backgrounds that resembled supernovas and other astronomical forms. The artist advised, "The Galaxy is full of mystery but if you would take a break and have a look you will discover how beautiful it is." Koenig noted the response of some students of "awe and wonder towards the epic forces of the universe." This also relates to what Koenig called an approach of "highlighting what is found incidentally."

Concrete Protective Barriers by Jonathan Stewart was an acrylic painting which may have been a scene from the interior of the research facility. Koenig noted that "direction interaction with the site itself" was a recognizable theme. This work also reflect another pattern of a "sense of alienation, distrust, critique of nuclear technology, questioning interface between technology and human psychology." Large yellow blocks dominated the image and Stewart stated, "I was interested in the effects of radiation and safety in scientific labs."

Canning Jars, Wax and Honey by Otilia Spantulescu consisted of five rows of twelve glass jars, each with some combination of wax and honey that had been heated on a kitchen stove. This reflected an approach Koenig described as "humour, parody and play with subjects." Spantulescu stated, "The 'high brow' notion of science/technology in the TRIUMF lab was juxtaposed with the 'low brow' space of the kitchen 'lab'." Koenig also noted, "There is often the challenge of transforming the abstract ideas confronted in science, into material-based art work."

Cake Study #5 by Claudia Fernandez was a series of dark circles with slight variations in how they were marked off. It may have been x-rays. A sculptural piece in front of this consisted of three dark sphere, which maybe have been the model for the images or may have been a separate sculpture. Fernandez said about her work, "Like art, mathematics connects us regardless of our nationalities and ethnicities." I actually found this one the most difficult to access. Perhaps it was exploring what Koenig described as a "view of physics through human experience." She noted, "in the end, a lot of work can be understood as an attempt to link or understand physics in relation to human experience."

Discussion

The experience affected participants in various ways. "On an immediate level," said Koenig, "everyone is changed by simply staring into the cloud chamber and realizing this is a snapshot of the invisible forces around them all the time." And she noted the many other things going on as well. "...we see a collision of perspectives, philosophies, student dynamics, emotional and intellectual positions."

"By visiting TRIUMF, said Koenig, "students see an example of how the biggest questions about the universe are actually physically examined in a lab. There is a messiness factor, a human face – and this is also a surprise for them. And they realize there is a community of scientists collaborating internationally, which is quite inspiring."

The scientists enjoyed the discussions that came out of  the works. Art may have a positive impact on doing science. Claire David noted, "The recent theories are really abstract and counter-intuitive: it was, it is and will be required for physicists to "think outside the box". Art brings this "window" of "unexpected connexion" that allows an unbiased creativity to occur."

How do you feel about mingling art and science?