The borderland between art and science explored through Coalescence; Scientific research through an artist’s lens
By the initiative Coalescence; Scientific research through an artist’s lens, the Royal Institute of Art and SciLifeLab have connected the creative minds of artists and scientists. Inspired by the current research at SciLifeLab, the project aims to explore the outcome of this fusion in both art and science.
“From an outreach perspective, I believe it is important to show researchers, artists, and the general public, that the two fields often share challenges and ways to work. This initiative brought out the artist inside each involved scientist and I am looking forward to continuing the dialogue with students at The Royal Institute of Art as well as other disciplines for similar events”, says Erdinç Sezgin, researcher and member of the Public Outreach and Engagement Committee at SciLifeLab.
When the project set off in February 2023, scientists and art students were given the possibility to present their respective fields to each other. The results of the collaborations are shown in an exhibition at SciLifeLab campus Solna between April 25th and May 5th. Visitors will be able to indulge in artwork presented as sculptures, digital art, and various installations among others.
The expectations are that this initiative will strengthen the communication between the art world and the research community and give the public an insight into what can be harvested through these kinds of collaborations.
“We find it interesting to explore the similarities between our two different research areas, where we share an interest in facing the future and tackling difficult and complex issues. We also share a strong drive to develop new ways of creating images,” says Björn Larsson, senior lecturer and acting vice-rector at Royal Institute of Art.
The initiator to Coalescence; Scientific research through an artist’s lens is Max Frankel, a guest student from the University of Colorado, currently doing research at SciLifeLab.
”I believe that drawing, sculpting, and any form of creating are powerful tools that can help your mind in constructing new ideas, seeing beyond the patchwork of focus that one can hold in one’s mind, to make sure that parts fit together as a whole. I hope to continue to make use of my experience in art in my research and studies”, says Max Frankel, who has studied both art and atom physics.
The collaboration gives the scientists a glimpse of how their work can be visualized, while the art students get inspiration and insight in life science by looking at the laboratory environment from the inside.
Zeinep Colpan, art student by the Royal Institute of Art, describes the work that has been generated up until the exhibition as “perfect”.
”I previously worked at companies that manufacture medtech products and with communication within healthcare, which I believe has a great impact on where my interests within art are directed”, says Zeinep Colpan.
Tove Alderin, student at the Royal Institute of Art, has found a new expression in her work by visiting the laboratory environment, that up until now has been unknown to her laboratory environment.
“Through a series of dialogues and experiments in the lab environment, I had the opportunity to artistically explore the area of the brain at a molecular level. Within the field of Jan Mulder’s main interest Alzheimer’s disease”, says Tove Alderin.
The exhibition is open to the public until May 5th.
Vernissage
When: Tuesday, April 24 at 3-6 pm
Where: SciLifeLab Campus Solna, Tomtebodavägen 23
How: Register here
The exhibition is open from April 25 to May 5, during SciLifeLab’s opening hours, Monday through Friday at 8 am to 5 pm.
Information flyer vernissage April 25
Contact:
Isolde Palombo, SciLifeLab, 070-16 11 504
About The Royal Institute of Art
The Royal Institute of Art is a leading art institution in higher education located in Stockholm, with a long artistic tradition dating back to 1735. Today the institution is a state-owned organization that runs under the Ministry of Education. Art is the focus for the students, researchers and collaborators who work here, and we safeguard the freedom of both art and learning.
About SciLifeLab SciLifeLab is an institution for the advancement of molecular biosciences in Sweden. SciLifeLab was started jointly by the four founding universities, Karolinska Institutet, KTH, Stockholm University, and Uppsala University. In 2013, SciLifeLab was awarded status as a national research infrastructure, and today operates at most major Swedish universities.