Art meets Science!
Pint of Science
The Pint of Science festival aims to deliver interesting, fun, relevant talks on the latest scientific research in an accessible format to the public – all in the pub! – providing a platform which allows people to discuss research with the people who carry it out. What started as a local event, has now gone global, with the Pint of Science talks being given in 20 cities in the UK, and in 8 countries worldwide. The Pint of Science festival will take place in the evenings of Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th May, 2015. Cities include: London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester, Southampton, Teesside and York. This year is the third festival and the first to include an arts program. Pint of Science in Cambridge have teamed up with Cambridge Creative Network to gather some artists to make work responding to the science.
Creative Reactions
Artists Mandy Knapp and Karen Jinks run Cambridge Creative Network, a platform for local artists to showcase their work. They were approached by the festival organisers to match up 55 artists with 55 scientists who would be giving talks about their research in pubs with the idea is that each artist then would make a piece of work, in any genre, in response to the scientist’s specialism. Creative Reactions is the grand-closure of Pint of Science 2015 in Cambridge. Artists of all kinds were paired up with the scientists and have made artwork in response to the science and often in collaboration with the scientist they were paired with. Dancers, illustrators, painters, graphic designers and art-students are amongst 50 local artists that paired up with the Cambridge Pint of Science speakers to produce unique science-inspired art pieces. The collaborations have provided many artists with the unique opportunity to access some fascinating research, in labs and colleges, that would never be ordinarily accessible.
Mandy Knapp says: “When we first had the meeting with the Pint of Science Cambridge co-ordinators, we didn’t imagine what a fulfilling project this would turn out to be. Some speakers have liaised with artists over the phone or via email, whilst others have given their time on a few occasions to meet artists in their college rooms and laboratories, so that the artist can fully understand the nature of their research, and produce some insightful responses. Friendships have formed, and some amazing collaborations have come about, all due to this project. Its great to produce a show with such diverse content, that will be appealing to a totally different audience to the norm. Bringing art and science together in such an exciting way has been worth the huge effort by all the volunteers, who have given their time freely.”
Creative Reactions brings all the artworks into an innovative and eclectic exhibition. When each of the speakers deliver their talk, the creations will be on display, in pubs in Cambridge (three nights, 6 pubs) 18th, 19th and 20th May. Then all the works will come together in a grand finale, at St Barnabas church, Thursday 21st May from 1pm, with a drinks reception from 6pm. Works will be for sale, with proceeds going to Arthur Rank hospice. At 6pm, the deputy mayor of Cambridge Cllr Robert Dryden will officially open the evening, followed by live music from the Flying Machines, performance and exhibition of dynamic artworks (dance, video, etc) and a few surprises. A local brewery have developed a beer called ‘Science’ especially for the event. Mandy Knapp says: “I cant wait to say ‘I’ll have a pint of Science please!'”
Art and Science Collaboration Outcomes
Here are examples of just a few of the collaborations.
Irene Wilkes and Dr Graeme Buchanan
Irene Wilkes
Kingfisher Painting
Liza Read is making a hologram in response to her speaker John Robb, whose talk is going to be about having a social life after death!
Mandy Knapp and Paolo Bombelli
Mady Knapp’s printmaking clock based on Paolo Bombelli’s P2P (Plant to Power) ideas
Graphic design students at Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) worked with two scientists. Their tutor has been very impressed with their work in response to the science, which will form part of their portfolios when applying for further courses.
Garance Monfort and Hannah Rowland
Garance Monfort
illustration looking at the Lyra bird who can imitate sounds such as a camera and a chainsaw
Image at the Top:
Irene Wilkes painting of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
The project logo: lino print image by Alan Rogerson and design by Karen Jinks.
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