While art and science are often thought to belong within the opposing realms of creativity and logic, both are at their core characterised by curiosity, exploration, and the spirit of innovation. It cannot be coincidence, after all, that some of the most renowned scientists in history were also great artists — and vice versa. In this issue of IMMpress Magazine, we seek to bring this connection into the light. Science offers precision, methodology, and the pursuit of truth, while art infuses these discoveries with beauty and meaning. By delving into the intersection between these two contrasting yet complementary disciplines, we celebrate the shared drive that fuels discovery and expression; the desire to push beyond our boundaries and see the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
We begin with a historical perspective, looking at how scientists have previously used art as both a form of inspiration (p.8) and documentation (p.10). Science and art exist in tandem within the natural world (p.14-16) and are inextricably linked within the neuroscience of our perception (p.24). It is undeniable that both have dramatically shaped our societies (p.26), especially as technological advancements have pushed our capabilities forward to enable photo-realism (p.28), artificial intelligence-generated art (p.30), and the manipulation of biology itself into an art form (p. 32). With such tools at our fingertips, it is perhaps to be expected that art and science have become largely inseparable within the modern world (p. 34), to the extent that their combined application can be found within mundane practices such as cooking (p.35) and entertainment (p.36).
As a highlight of this issue, we feature two interviews with Professor Emerita Dr. Michelle Letarte (p.20) and alumnus Dr. Mahmoud El-Maklizi (p.22) about the duality of their passion as artist-scientists and how they have managed to incorporate these unique facets of themselves into their everyday lives. A collection of their work is showcased on the back panel (p.38), reprinted with their permission. We also feature a biographic article of Dr. Gabriel Victora (p.18), detailing his remarkable journey as a scientific researcher with a background in music, as well as Dr. Bernhard (Hardi) Cinader (p.12), whose legacy as an artist-scientist continues with the annual awarding of the Hardi Cinader Prize. We are incredibly grateful to these generous individuals who were willing to share their experiences and artwork within these pages.
Lastly, we cannot forget our amazing team of writers, editors, and designers that continue to make IMMpress Magazine into a reality. Thank you to all of our contributors for their hard work in creating yet another fantastic edition!
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Meggie Kuypers & Manjula Kamath
IMMpress
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