different types of creativity in the art and design world, and the two don’t often intersect
but Le Lab provides a space for the two to
collide.” Connecting cutting-edge scientific
research and technological innovation to people
is one of the goals of Le Laboratoire.
Edwards posits, “These kinds of art-science
explorations might be relevant to the future of
science, engineering, and medical research in
that they chart a longer course of inquiry and
introduce this inquiry into cultural, publicly
engaged environments, where ideas can be
shared, discussed, experienced by the public in
a way that is not easily achieved in the classical
peer-reviewed model. This can be particularly
relevant at a time when the public is sensitive,
sometimes fearful, in any case curious about the
future—and wanting a role in shaping it.”
When Science Meets Art
Boston’s Museum of Science (MOS) has discovered that the intersection of art and science
can be an effective way to attract new audiences. Speaking about the goal of designing
programs to cultivate new audiences and attract
Scientific
people who are not scientists, Lisa Monrose,
Attractions
Special Events Program Producer at the MOS
says, “Art and the
Another Wyss projmash-up of science
ect, the research of
and art offer a difscientist Wim Noorferent door through
duin in collaboration
which to enter the
with electron microsworld of science.”
copist James Weaver,
Monrose initiated the
has recently received
MOS’ highly successdesign acclaim. Their
ful “When Science
‘nano-flowers’ were
Meets Art” series ten
selected for inclusion
years ago, and it is
in “Nature Made,”
ongoing. The series
a group exhibition
has featured luminarcurated by François
ies in both art and
Bernard at Maison &
science—and events
Objet Paris. “Francois
are curated to highwanted to show how
light film, fashion, and
people use natural
performances. “When
processes to sculpt
Science Meets Art”
new shapes.” Wim’s
at the MOS is a hot
reaction when he was
ticket, often selling
first approached was,
out events the same
“What’s going on here?
Museum of Science Events: David Edwards — Eating Bottles, I’m a chemist!” He
day tickets go on sale.
Drinking Clouds, and Texting Your Evening Meal on April 29, adds, “I’m surprised
Unsurprisingly, on April
2015. Photo Credit: Phase One Photography. that what we are do29th the series will put
the spotlight on Le Lab’s
ing on a micro scale
David Edwards.
is interesting to the world of architecture. It
was very exciting—it was the first time we did
Monrose observes, “Art in all its media—visual something like that!”
and sound art, performance, installation, film,
Noorduin’s research in Joanne Aizenberg’s
fashion, et cetera—provides opportunities for
lab
at the Wyss focuses on biomineralism: how
people to learn through emotional and conorganisms
in nature build their highly intricate
templative experiences, not just through intelstructures.
He asks, “What are the ways to form
lect. My goal is to produce art experiences that
these kinds of complexities?” Observing that
will introduce people to new perspectives that
organisms control their chemical environment,
might shift their understanding of our world
Noorduin thought that if he could control the
and unleash their imaginations.”
environment, perhaps he could grow complex
structures: “I needed to find a chemical reac-
SciArt in America April 2015
35