During the first week of December 2019, the Lewis Research Group proudly hosted Dr. Rick Love, Professor of Art & Design from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul.
Throughout his visit, Dr. Love addressed the importance of both scientific and artistic creativity in understanding the world around us. Rather than being separate entities, these two disciplines are intrinsically linked and have a shared role in pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding.
While in Calgary, Dr. Love spearheaded just such an opportunity for artists and scientists to work in unison, leading members of the Lewis Research Group and dozens of other participants from across the Faculty of Science in the creation of an art piece titled An Exploration in Scientific and Artistic Notations. Using the unconventional medium of adhesive tape, the multidisciplinary team spent four days creating the 4’ X 16’ mural, which is featured on the fourth floor of the Biological Sciences building.
Dr. Rick Love and participants in front of An Exploration in Scientific and Artistic Notations.
“Working on this piece was an exciting opportunity to explore my more creative side and really make me think about how I might integrate visual arts into my scientific work,” states 4th year undergraduate and Lewis Research Group member Katherine Heger.
Dr. Love has created tape-based art pieces around the world, and the Lewis Research Group is honored to be involved in the creation and subsequent display of this unique piece, a piece which is symbolic of the collaborative power of art and science.
An Exploration in Scientific and Artistic Notations will remain on display in the Lewis Research Group’s new collaborative work area in room BI 499. Members of the public are invited to view the piece during regular working hours, starting in January 2020.