The Mandeville Gallery’s newest exhibit, “Dynamic Equilibrium,” explores the intersection of art and science. It seeks to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue by presenting contemporary artists who explore science and contemporary scientists who explore art.
Two Union scientists are among those whose work is featured. Electrical Engineering Professor Palma Catravas and Associate Professor of Biology Kathleen LoGiudice have teamed up to supply the show with captivating images from the College’s scanning electron microscope (SEM).
“Palma and I got together because she was looking for interesting biological materials to image using the SEM,” LoGiudice said. “I provided her with ticks, which we discovered under the microscope were dead and covered with a fungus. We got some really striking images, not only from the biologic point of view, but from the aesthetic point of view.”
Some of these images, complete with fungus and tick body parts, will be on display during “Dynamic Equilibrium.”
“I love being part of the intersection between art and science,” Catravas said.
“It’s a great way to showcase how important tools like the SEM are,” LoGiudice added. “I tried to include materials in the show, for instance, that explain that this fungus is under investigation as an environmentally friendly, biologic tick control. There’s a potential social benefit to carefully imaging these things.”
“Dynamic Equilibrium” also features work by the League of Imaginary Scientists, Stefano Coluccini, Daro Montag, Laura Splan, and Amy Youngs and Ken Rinaldo. Early scientific apparatus from the Union’s College Permanent Collection will be displayed as well.
The show, which runs through Sunday, May 10, is co-sponsored by the departments of Biology, Geology, Computer Science, and Physics and Astronomy, and the offices of the Dean of Engineering and the Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Related events include:
· Friday, March 20, 5-9 p.m., Art Night Schenectady reception, Nott Memorial
· Thursday, April 9, 4:30 p.m., “Physics and Art” lecture, Reamer Campus Center Auditorium, by Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., professor emeritus of physics at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. Greenslade is an expert on early physics apparatus and has worked to select and indentify Union’s early scientific apparatus.
· Thursday, April 9, 5:30-7 p.m., artists’ reception and Gallery Talk, Nott Memorial
· Monday, April 20, 6 p.m., lecture by Ken Rinaldo and Amy Youngs, “Parasite to Symbiont, Olin Center Auditorium; reception to follow.