Art Show Features Stunning Pieces from Contemporary Artists and Mother Nature

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Newswise Light is a principal tool of scientists working at the cellular and molecular scales. University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Lab scientists are at the forefront of the newest technologies, revealing the hidden beauty of living cells and the molecules that provide the essentials of life. The goal of the Art of Systems Biology and Nanoscience annual event in Santa Fe is to share stunning scientific images of nature with the public, with a weekend of fun for adults and children. This years annual event runs March 27 and 28 at a new venue: Peters Projects Gallery near Canyon Road in Santa Fe.

Through collaboration with the Gerald Peters Gallery and Peters Projects, visitors will enjoy a unique synergy of hard science and contemporary interpretation of science and nature. The event opens Friday night, with the first preview of the art. Entitled Inventory of Light, the show will feature the works of UNM and LANL microscopists as well as 10 participating artists who have a scientific focus in their art practice.

A popular feature of these events are the public lectures featuring senior scientists who give approachable talks about how they use imaging and computing technologies to solve key problems in human biology. Friday nights lecture is by Bridget Wilson, PhD, a professor at the UNM Health Sciences Center. She will speak about how her team uses advanced imagery and computer simulations to discover how allergens activate cells in the immune system, a problem for millions of allergy sufferers worldwide.

During the day on Saturday, families with children and teens are invited to participate in hands-on experiments led by graduate students from the UNM Nanoscience and Microsystems program. Science-oriented video games will provide curious young minds with an interactive way to explore the microscopic world. Families are encouraged to enjoy art in the galleries too.

Saturday evenings public lecture is by Michael Sheetz, PhD, a Professor at Columbia University with a second home in Santa Fe. Sheetz will talk about how cellular patterns influence how cells sense their surroundings and respond to move and spread. His studies of mechano-sensing are enabled by high-speed microscopy and tiny nano-fabricated chips. Sheetz recently received the Kaluza Award from the American Society of Cell Biology for his innovative work.

This years show is an exciting melding of science and contemporary art, says Wilson. The Gerald Peters Gallery/Peters Projects have carefully selected an outstanding group of artists that complement the science exposition.

The art exhibition will include work by Lita Albuquerque, Kelsey Brooks, Robert Buelteman, Will Clift, Brian Knep, Victoria Vesna, Johnathon Wells and Ryan Wolfe. Santa Fe artists include Thomas Ashcraft, Stephen Auger and August Muth. The spectrum ranges from interactive multi-media installations and photography and to light-filled holograms and sculpture.

The common thread of the show is science and nature as an inspiration for art, says Wilson. Works by these artists bring alive the intertwined nature of Light, Space and Time.

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Art Show Features Stunning Pieces from Contemporary Artists and Mother Nature