What can a visual artist familiar with digital images in the world of art bring to any of the research teams by exploring and contrasting their approaches?

It is hoped that the artist’s activities will become a hub for intellectual dialogue between the groups, and that her activities and interaction will be the stimulus that may bring new insights to members of the research teams. Read more about the teams taking part,and you will see that they are not necessarily natural close neighbours as judged by the research technologies they use or the scale at which they work, though there are some conceptual links in the exploration of difference and similarity. It is expected that, through the language and medium used by the artist, new formulations of the individual scientific issues may emerge.

The collaborating scientists, in very distinct specialisms, have a common interest in understanding at an analytical level the issues of DESIGN and TRANSFORMATION within biological systems. The artist will work with these research teams to solve the problem of how very esoteric conceptual approaches and insights within biological science can make sense to a wider audience. There is a unique opportunity for Heather to investigate and dissect the important features of design and metamorphosis within the canons of art and within the language of science. The diverse research teams utilise distinct technologies in their approaches, which offers opportunities for the artist to test her responses to the overarching themes of design and transformation, and to generate art work that encapsulates the intellectual excitement of working in contemporary biology.

The research questions / problems:

Can we use visual perception and response to explore differences between creatures (human, fruit fly, cuttlefish) in interpretation of visual information and use in context of experience (i.e. camouflage, environment, relationships)?

Can biological design and aesthetics be contrasted? Are there links between culturally accepted design aesthetics and naturally occurring biological structures, at different scales within the biological world?

How straightforward is the understanding of biological science grasped by the general public? How can enthusiasms and ideas be communicated across the professional / lay divide?