What do you see self-driving cars and underwater gadgets in their environment? A new interdisciplinary exhibition from SFI explores these ideas.
Members of the public were invited to participate in scholarly research through an artistic lens during a new virtual exhibition from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). It’s called STEAM Art Collaboration and will start Thursday evening (May 20).
The exhibition will feature five commissioned artworks linking the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Researchers from five SFI think tanks – APC Microbiome, Connect, iCRAG, Lero, and FutureNeuro – worked with artists Shevaun Doherty, Ed Devane, 1iing Heaney, Peter Nash and David Beattie to create the works.
They were inspired by research in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, polymerase chain reaction testing, applied geosciences, and quantum communications. For example, iCRAG and Heaney worked together on a 3D virtual reality animated film called Weak C that puts the viewer in a position normally occupied by a scientific instrument in the ocean.
Still from C weak by 1iing Heaney. Photo: International Finance Corporation
Another project, Machine’s Eye View by Lero and Nash, explores how the autonomous vehicle sees its environment, while the APC Microbiome and Doherty project, The Invisible Made Visible, explains the scientific process of testing for Covid-19. Through the creative process of lino printing. .
STEAM’s art collaboration is funded by SFI’s Discover Science Primary and Maths program and partly by the Arts Council.
During the launch event on Thursday, attendees will have access to conversation pieces with artists and researchers, as well as a virtual 3D exhibition space. This space should be kept open throughout the summer.
“This new collaboration provides the public with access to science in an interactive and educational environment, highlighting the many important links between science and the arts,” said Dr. Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at SFI.
The five artists interpreted their concepts in a variety of exciting ways, which are devised through research but are not purely illustrative in nature. The purpose of this initiative is to attract people’s attention and inspire them to learn more, and I would like to congratulate everyone who participated in the creation of these artworks. “
You can register to launch STEAM Art Collaboration here.
