Art Science collaboration

Cambridge, London and Madrid

Following a 'speed dating' event for artists and researchers in Cambridge, organised by SRUK/CERU society (Spanish Scientists in the United Kingdom), I was fortunate to be selected for an art-science partnership.

I worked with researcher Dr Ana Lopez Ramirez from the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research 

Her work is in neurodegeneration, its primary causes and the finding of new potential modulators of disease progression. We talked about how naturally recycling and regeneration that occurs in the natural world, and how to express that in creative ways through the materials I use.

I created a collection of pieces that linked to the tools and methods used in the lab. Ultra violet light is used to highlight changes in growth and behaviours of cells, particularly in the zebra fish that Ana uses. I found materials in the studio that respond well and started to make forms that could be displayed in fish tanks.

Sharing an interest in the issues of a sustainable and healthy world, making relationships that I could never have predicted. It seems my selection of materials and display enabled the work to cross language, culture and practise barriers. Even the forms I made relate to DNA structures that I was unaware of until recently. Always so much more to learn and experience.

The title 'Regeneration and Recycling' expresses the shared interest in the issues of a sustainable and healthy world, making relationships that I could never have predicted.

The art-science collaboration with SRUK brought up some interesting conversations and preconceptions about different fields of work. The mutual value has not often been recognised in the academic world. 

While working alongside a scientist it has been interesting to hear from her the perceptions of how artists work, there is a romantic and unreal view of artists as professionals.

The comments at the panel discussion reinforced this and brought up something that I had not even thought of. For example 'when artists work with scientists they will be recognised for their work, it is a good thing to have on the cv. For a scientist this is not the case, it is not considered beneficial to research or professional development.'

I hope this project has changed some of these views and will enable a change that benefits all concerned.