Art and Science

Description

Scientists weave incredible stories, invent wild hypotheses and ask difficult questions about the meaning of life. They create visual images, models and scenarios that are gruesome, baffling or beguiling. Contemporary scientists frequently talk about 'beauty' and 'elegance' - while artists hardly ever do. In this engaging book Siân Ede asks crucial questions about the implications of science for art and vice versa, the nature of beauty, the 'battle' between the arts and sciences, and art and the environment. Featuring the work of artists including Christine Borland, Dorothy Cross, Eduardo Kac.  Read more... Abstract: Scientists weave incredible stories, invent wild hypotheses and ask difficult questions about the meaning of life. They create visual images, models and scenarios that are gruesome, baffling or beguiling. Contemporary scientists frequently talk about 'beauty' and 'elegance' - while artists hardly ever do. In this engaging book Siân Ede asks crucial questions about the implications of science for art and vice versa, the nature of beauty, the 'battle' between the arts and sciences, and art and the environment. Featuring the work of artists including Christine Borland, Dorothy Cross, Eduardo Kac Content: Cover Contents Acknowledgements Introduction -- Ambiguities and Singularities Part I: The Problem with Beauty Chapter 1 -- Everything Is Connected in Life: Beautiful things in Science Chapter 2 -- Disconnections and Asymmetries: The Less than Beautiful in Art Part II: Evolutionary Perspectives Chapter 3 -- From the Future to the Past: The Evolution of the (Artist's) Mind Chapter 4 -- New Mythologies: Reinventing the Past Chapter 5 -- Universal Studios: Scientists Measure Art Part III: Mind and Body, Body and Mind. Chapter 6 -- Sculpted by the World: Art and Some Concepts from Contemporary Consciousness StudiesChapter 7 -- New Bodies for Old: The Art and Science of the Body Elective Part IV: The Fragile Environment and the Future Chapter 8 -- It's All Over, Johnny: Art and the Fragile Environment Chapter 9 -- Reconnections: A Muted Curiosity Notes Select Bibliography Index.