Blog #1: The Intersection of Art and Science Morgan Grimes





The Most Successful Intersections of Art and Science

The intersection of art and science has always been an interesting one, but it has not been as divided in history as it is today. In history artists have often time used their art to express feelings about and interpret science.  This was used frequently by artists to get the public thinking about more controversial topics. Although progressive and important, it wasn’t always the most helpful at helping people to understand and interpret these ideas. It often times brought problems to light, but seldom brought up solutions. Fast forward and there begins to be a rise in those who use both art and science to not only understand problems, but begin to solve them as well. This is the change that leads to many societal advances. 
            To me one of the most successful intersections of art and science is Leonardo Da Vinci. Although his name is often overused, and his works have been shown countless times, I often come back to him and his work when thinking about art and science. To me his notebooks are almost a seamless intersection of the two. His work was often observational and his intentions mostly scientific. Although he was an artist in every sense of the word, his notebooks were mainly a manifestation of science, which just happened to be through art. 
            Present day examples of the successful intersection between art and science are too many to count. I feel as though many artists have begun to take this route, and the about of unexplored territory and ideas are vast. I think this new turn for artists is exciting, and I am ecstatic to see so many artists running with this idea. Of all the works that I have seen intersecting art and science one artist stood out to me. Her name is Susan Aldworth. Working with neuroscientists, Susan Aldworth created a body of work called Passing Thoughts. This exhibition contained artwork using imagery taken directly from various brain scans. This work came from an incident where Aldworth needed a brain scan herself, and was consciously watching the monitors while the scan was performed.  This body of work explores not only thought and consciousness, but also the human identity, and what makes us, well us. Her images are breathtaking, and they capture the field of neuroscience in a breathtakingly new way. 
            The intersection of art and science is one that I only stumbled upon in collage. To me it takes on a life of its own, as there is so much knowledge and data hidden in various scientific fields just waiting to be uncovered by art. This ability to grab from a seemingly endless sea of inspiration makes me want to create more and more pieces that explore this intersection. Artists have been playing with the line between art and science for centuries, and there is always something new for us to explore.


Images:











A Page from Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebooks


Gilée Print, 2013
Passing Thoughts
By: Susan Aldworth



Sculpture of a T4 Bacteriophage
By: Luke Jerram
Medium: Glass




Sculpture of Swine Flu
By: Luke Jerram
Medium: Glass



Photograph
Welwitschia Mirabilis 
By: Rachel Sussman




Photograph
Antarctic Mass
By: Rachel Sussman



Resources:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/at-the-intersection-of-arts-and-science_b_6771222
https://susanaldworth.com/transience-2013/sony-dsc-7/
http://www.rachelsussman.com
https://theartofeducation.edu/2017/10/26/11-fascinating-artists-inspired-science/?mc_cid=038ceede86&mc_eid=f95217d578
https://www.lukejerram.com/artworks/
https://susanaldworth.com

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