CLASS LECTURE:
During class, discussions revolved around the field of SciArt and its significant contributors. SciArt, or Science Art, is an interdisciplinary field that blends scientific research or concepts with artistic expression, aiming to make scientific ideas more accessible and engaging through various mediums.
Bioart, a subset of SciArt, specifically focuses on merging biology with art, utilizing living organisms, tissues, or processes as artistic mediums. It can take various forms, including bioinformatics art or genetic art.
ONLINE: LECTURE:
In the lecture, the purpose of scientific art was emphasized as combining the knowledge and skillsets of both fields to explore and create new areas of study. Several pioneers were mentioned, such as Da Vinci and Fleming.
Andre Geim, known for discovering graphene through an unconventional experiment, was highlighted as a significant contributor, winning both the Nobel and Ig Nobel prizes. Eduardo Kac, who coined the term “bio art,” was noted for his work with the GFP bunny.
Anna Dumitrio, a notable sciartist, was also mentioned. Additionally, examples were given, like the Tokyo railway system’s use of slime mould and oats to determine the most efficient routes, showcasing creativity and biology’s application to solving planning problems.
Anthill art, where molten metals are poured into ant nests to create sculptures, was discussed with ethical concerns regarding ants’ welfare. While the artists claim the ants are evacuated before creation, questions arise about human intervention in structures created by ants themselves.
I think the potential of SciArt lies in enhancing design thinking for the future, suggesting that possibilities are not limited to just natural or mechanical but could lead to a united future. Examples like the mushroom computer were discussed in the lecture using biosignals instead of binary digits to try to receive information as illustrations of this interdisciplinary approach.