Metaphorical blueprints of string theory, hidden dimensions and the multiverse feature in trio of new exhibitions
A trio of exhibitions bringing an alternative view to some of science and technology’s most complex concepts will preview at Abertay University on Saturday 25 June as part of Print Festival Scotland.
The featured artists are not only homegrown, but come also from Barcelona, Cork, Limerick, and the USA, each with a distinct and exciting approach to contemporary printmaking.
In Cosmological Confabulations, Jo Milne has created a series of bold, colourful prints in response to the quandary of how to visualise some of the best-known concepts within theorectical physics.
Fractals, string theory, hidden dimensions and multiverses are her inspiration, and the metaphorical blueprints she creates offer an alternative representation of the concepts that the human eye can only currently see in the form of scientific equations.
In World Within Worlds, Catherine Hehir and Noelle Noonan join forces to explore the language we use to describe both the physical and virtual worlds in which we live.
Text is a significant element in their work and, by using words that have been appropriated by technology – bug, window, cloud and memory – they create a thought-provoking installation that reflects not only how rapidly technology changes, but also how rapidly language must change in order to keep up with it.
Finally, Circle Squared by David Lyons and Raz Ullah, brings together large-scale projected motion graphics and a dynamic soundscape to create a playful, digitally interactive artwork.
The sounds are drawn from heightened and abstracted recordings of the printmaking process, and these – along with the changing CMYK colour palette – are triggered by audience interactions with sensors and projectors within the installation.
The exhibitions preview on Saturday 25 June in the Hannah Maclure Centre at Abertay University as part of Print Festival Scotland and everyone is welcome.
There will be a ‘Print Blether’ at 5pm, which will be a chance to hear the artists speak about their work in their own words, then from 6pm to 9pm the party will get into full swing with live music from members of the Celtic/bluegrass band Wire and Wool, who will be playing an acoustic set.
Clare Brennan, Curator of the Hannah Maclure Centre – Abertay University’s art gallery – explains more about the exhibition:
“One of the important things we do at the Hannah Maclure Centre is to open up not only the research that is carried out here at Abertay, but also ideas and concepts within the realms of science and technology in the wider world that can inspire new thinking and broaden our perspectives, supporting and challenging what we do and inviting audiences to learn about the research and art.
“With works such as David and Raz’s installation, people can interact directly with it and affect the aesthetics and sound of the work through movement. It’s been inspired by the creative process of printmaking, responding to this using alternative art forms and media, and manifesting as a digitally enhanced environment, rather than a traditional printwork. It’s fascinating to me how alternative mediums can comment on, and animate, that traditional creative process of printmaking.
“Catherine and Noelle’s piece has also been curated as part of the show as we felt it reflects beautifully on the range of topics we research and study here at Abertay, particularly within computer science and computer games technology. The language we use to talk about virtual elements – windows and clouds and bugs – is highlighted in their printworks and it brings our attention back to the physical nature of these words, encouraging us to think about the evolution of our language in a technological age.
“Finally, we’ve got Jo’s incredible work, where she’s taken inspiration from string theory and other physics concepts and tried to visualise what is, essentially, invisible. The prints are a bit like something you might see looking down a microscope, only magnified on an absolutely enormous scale. So there's a lot of variety in these three exhibitions, with many different printmaking techniques in use, and many different perspectives on the worlds of science and technology that we hope visitors to the gallery will respond to and feel inspired by."
The exhibitions preview on Saturday 25 June and will run from Monday 27 June to Friday 15 July in the Hannah Maclure Centre at Abertay University.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Kirsty Cameron T: 01382 308 935 M: 07972172158 E: k.cameron@abertay.ac.uk
