Art-Science Days at University of Paris Sud
http://www.culture.u-psud.fr/2012/pc12.htm
I am at the first art-science days at the University of Paris=Sud at Orsay. The days are
organised by Christian Jacquemin at the LIMSI Laboratory.
The art-science days include talks and panels , and exhibition of student art-science projects.
The art science days can be followed via:
Twitter : @ARTSSCIENCESDAY
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/264370023657246/
Right Now the Dean of Science of the University is presenting the DIAGONALE project
which is being created which will include an art-science program.
DIAGONALE includes a large program of science education and popularisation programs
but also includes an artists residency program for art-science projects. The first
three projects are T Max and Molecular Cooking, Y Parlier on Sport and Science
( sails of big tankers) and LIMSI/ESIEA NUAGE project on perception of materials.
Plans include the reconstructions of historical scientific experiments. A workshop
on Visualisation of particle interactions, imagining new applications of imaging and real
time art science rendering and simulation is planned for June 20.
Some of the university discourses links closely to the “STEM to STEAM’ movement to
find new ways of connecting science and technology to the popular imaginary, with the
dual purpose of attracting young people into techno-scientific careers but also to
engage public debate in new ways ( there is a series of activities planned by DIAGOLALE
with elected officials and representatives of civil society. The intent is to innovate
in ways of engaging real in depth public discussion of science.
Another major thrust is preserving the university scientific heritage (including instruments,
archives, collections ). Major instruments on campus are being declared national historical sites.
A partnership with the cultural organisations is in place.
The planned Laboratory for Art and Science ( Trait-d’Union Lab) will host both scientists and artist and they hope to open in in 2012.
http://perso.limsi.fr/jacquemi/Plaquette_FR_EN_HTML/ProgrammeArtsSciences.html
The opening session has been presented by Colette Voisin one of the university vice presidents (CEVU), Sylvie Retailleau the Dean of Sciences and Marie-Pauline Gacoin director of the Science ACO linked to the SOLEIL synchrotron on the university campus. I am impressed by the ‘discourse’ and their advocacy that the question ” what knowledge is a priority in society and who decides that’. This is clearly a place to watch in the building of what Helga Nowotny calls “socially robust science’ and its good to see art-science research as part of their strategy.