Art and science: Intersections of art and science through time and paths forward

Abstract

Science and art have a long‐standing relationship as both are based on observation and interpretation. In this technology‐driven age, new interactions could lead to novel ways of looking at and interpreting complex systems.

Figure 1. Metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly

One of many sketches of Maria Sibylla Merian, where she studied the metamorphosis of insects, and published in 1705 under the name Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium. https://goo.gl/xfGECC Public Domain.

Figure 2. Foldscope: Inspiring society by joining art and science

A schematic depicting how joint ideas (A) from art and science resulted in the creation of Foldscope (B). In turn, people from all age‐groups (C) from across the globe are using this low‐cost microscope to capture images of scientific and artistic merit (D). Images captured cover a wide range including (left to right) crystalized citric acid, silver berry scaly hair, onion skin cells, and feathers. The images used in this figure are kindly provided by Manu Prakash and Rebecca Konte from team Foldscope.

Figure 3. Charles Minard's map of Napoleon's war against Russia of 1812

The two‐dimensional chart covers multidimensional data including temperature, dates, location, direction, and the number of Napoleon's men. Wikipedia/Public Domain.

Figure 4. Scientific inspiration from Pablo Picasso's lithographs

Parallels between progressive abstractions of Picasso's lithographs of bulls and understanding the three‐dimensional organization of sixteen cells inside a Drosophila egg. This is one of the many examples of the abstract representation and visualization of complex scientific phenomenon where scientists have taken inspiration from art. This image is provided courtesy of Jasmin Imran Alsous and is also a winner of the Autodesk Art and Biology Award at VIZBI, 2016.