Sea Dragons Exhibit at Aquarium,Birch Aquarium,San Diego.
TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT 2019 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. By Julie Watson
All things considered Seadragons & Seahorses, Birch Aquarium’s new permanent exhibition that brings seadragon conservation to the forefront. Above all,the exhibition is home to Weedy Seadragons and several species of seahorses and pipefish.
For the first time ever, Birch Aquarium has successful bred Weedy Seadragons behind the scenes of this exhibit. In short,only a handful of aquariums around the world have bred these unusual fish. The babies are not on display, but you can learn more about their exciting birth on our Seadragon Breeding Program page.
Birch Aquarium,Scripps San Diego,CA
Why Seadragons and Seahorses?
The husbandry of seadragons is increasingly vital due to the impacts of climate change, warming oceans, and illegal collection of wild populations, whose numbers are still widely unknown.
Birch Aquarium has been successfully rearing seahorses in captivity for nearly 25 years. Similarly, that makes us a leader in the field. Furthermore,we hope this new exhibit will result in our first successful seadragon breeding.
Weedy Seadragons
Surprisingly,these seahorse cousins use their bright coloration and seaweed-like appendages to hide among the kelp-covered rocky reefs of temperate southern Australian waters.
Sea Dragons in the Golden KelpSwimming With Sea Dragons
Monterey Bay Aquarium
From the first time I saw sea dragons at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I was fascinated. Was it a plant? Was it an animal? Seadragons and sea horses are surprisingly cousins. Unfortunately, for the interested public the Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibit is no longer. The sea dragons returned to the wild as the Aquarium often does.
I have created several art quilts inspired by the sea dragons. However, nothing is quite like seeing the real animal. That is why I was so excited to hear of this new exhibit and the excitement that it is generating.
ATLAS Revisited, an art quilt inspired by the ATLAS at CERN is on page 127 of the Summer Edition,2019 of Art Quilting Magazine.
Collaboration between local artists and PhD physics candidates
First, Dr. Stephanie Bailey, Physics professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz announced collaboration between local artists and PhD physics candidates. My daughter‘s boyfriend is a physicist. As a result, this former history major thought that participation would be a good way for me to connect with him. However, my student collaborator studies theoretical physics. First,he showed me photos online of collider event displays. Smashing subatomic particles together creates a collider event display.They create predictable patterns and colors. Some look amazingly like fiber. I choose a photo of ATLAS at CERN to make my art quilt.
Techniques
Generally, I don’t work from a photograph. My inspiration usually comes from how the materials play with one another. However, due to the special circumstances of theoretical physics, I was forced to work from a photo. This required me to work backwards. I usually don’t do that. Working backwards entails thinking through each process of making your art piece before getting started. I had to figure out what would go on last. I had to have an idea of where I would end up and the steps to get there before even starting.
After that,I chose my fabrics based on the colors of the photograph. I had to eliminate some aspects of the photo due to size limitations. I hand stitched a running stitch of contrasting embroidery thread for some pieces. For others I strip pieced and then cut them apart. I made the starburst in the center by couching or zig zagging yarn. Light machine quilting was done by curved line stitching I call scribble quilting. See all of the collaboration art pieces at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz, California March, 2019.
ALICE @ CERN
Originally published By Lisa Renner in University of California, Santa Cruz student newspaper.February, 2019.
A collaboration of Art and Physics
First of all,what happens when artists visit science labs and hear scientists explain their work? Find out by attending the exhibition The Fusion of Art and Physics on view in March,2019. R. Blitzer Gallery,2801 Mission St.Santa Cruz,CA Originally,UC Santa Cruz physicist Stephanie Bailey conceived of the show to feature works created by 17 pairs of artists and physics graduate students. Last fall, Bailey organized another science-art collaboration with the show Motors Surround Us. That show had pieces of art created from simple electric motors made by introductory physics students. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/07/why-art-and-science/
Meet Two Collaborators
In the beginning, Dr. Bailey linked Bryson Bost,an artist, and Johnny Davenport, the physics doctoral student together. First,the young scientist showed Bost the instruments he uses to explore really thin crystals at the lab. Then, he also showed him how it is possible to see what the crystals look like on an atomic scale. Finally,Bryson Bost,a 36-year-old artist, creates intricate patterns using acrylics and pigment inks “You could actually see the spaces in between atoms,” said Bost. “It was like I can’t believe I’m seeing a pocket dimension. It’s almost science fiction.”
A Whole New World
In addition,Bost felt honored to get a chance to see a world that he has no experience with. Moreover, Davenport’s explanation of his work was enthralling. “It’s so advanced you feel like you’re talking to a messenger of some god,” Bost said. For example,“You feel like you’re getting in touch with some strange divine formula for the fusion of art and science show.
No Jargon allowed
For his part, Davenport said he enjoyed the opportunity to translate his ideas into ordinary language. Aboveall, he avoided technical jargon. Similarly,Davenport thinks scientists spend too much time in their own world. “A lot of times we fall back on technical language to be able to communicate complicated concepts,” he said. “The hardest thing to do is to distill it down to something presentable to a different medium or a different audience. But science isn’t just intended to benefit scientists.” The move for scientists to communicate with the general public is extremely necessary in these times.
Creating Began
After that first dialogue, Bost went back to his studio. First, he began working on the creation for the show. The atomic-level images he saw inspired his art.After that, he created a piece filled with intricate patterns. Furthermore,his materials included acrylics and pigment ink. In all, he spent about 40 hours. What happens when artists visit science labs and hear scientists explain their work? Find out by attending the exhibition The Fusion of Art and Physicson view in March,2019. R. Blitzer Gallery,2801 Mission St.Santa Cruz,CA.UC. Santa Cruz physicist Dr. Stephanie Bailey conceived of the show to feature works created by 20 pairs of artists and physics graduate students. Last fall, Bailey organized another science-art collaboration with the show Motors Surround Us. This show had pieces of art created from simple electric motors made by introductory physics students.
Video of the Show
Video of Fusion Show at R. Blitzer Gallery (partial) Highlighting the Collaboration of Art and Physics at R. Blitzer Gallery, Santa Cruz,CA March, 2019. Music by Robert Blitzer observed by Charles Sutten, artist.
The Collaboration
Meanwhile,the collaboration between local artists and Ph’d Physics candidates at the University of California,Santa Cruz is over. Yet, I learned that there is a wide range of study within the field of physics. Above all,some scientists are studying theorical physics using a chalkboard, chalk and a computer. However,others are doing a variety of experiments in labs.
Dr. Bailey’s Brainchild
Firstly Dr.Bailey, a non artist , organized an art show, Fusion .In addition,it is part of a mission to bring the concepts of physics to a wider public. Certainly,“Art is a much more friendly and inviting way to attract people than physics,” she says. To clarify,Dr. Bailey worked with mosaic artist, Beth Purcell to organize the show. Above all,the artwork is more than a few pieces of beautiful art. Moreover,they can be considered extraordinary teaching tools. In other words something a professor can bring into the classroom to convey an important concept in physics.
Tauna Coulson is the curator
Similarly,the artists involved also exhibited a wide range of study; painting,glass, fiber, and multimedia. Tauna Coulson, is the curator of the show is working hard to make sure everything comes together.http://coulsondesign.com/author/tauna-coulson/ In conclusion,at the end of the 2019 school year, Dr. Bailey moved to Chapman College in Orange County, California. Their gain UCSC’s and the Santa Cruz community’s loss.
Article of Fusion of Art and Physics-For those of us who are neither physicists nor artists, it’s easy to think that there is no overlap between physics and art. But a new show in Santa Cruz called Fusion of Art and Physics aims to remind us that there are ways to build bridges between the two.
Fusion of Art and Physics Show opens at the R. Blitzer Gallery on March 1,2019. It features the results of 17 collaborations between visual artists and physicists. After the show’s opening reception, participants will share what they learned from each other in a panel discussion.
UC Santa Cruz physicist, Dr. Stephanie Bailey
The show is the brainchild of UC Santa Cruz physicist Stephanie Bailey, who has attempted to blend lessons from the humanities into her teaching of physics. Bailey’s idea was to pair up a roster of Santa Cruz County artists with grad students and faculty in the physics department at UCSC. Like Jane Austen’s Emma, Bailey played matchmaker, looking for complementary interests between artists and physicists. Her own pairing put her with mosaic artist Beth Purcell. Together, Bailey and Purcell built mosaics on musical instruments to illustrate standing waves, the vibrational waveform often created in music.
Art Enhances Science
“I don’t consider myself an artistic person at all,” says Bailey. “But I still very much welcomed working with an artist.”Bailey’s sales pitch to her fellow physicists was audacious. Art, she told them, isn’t a distraction from science—it enhances it.
“I really believe that working with an artist can enrich the work of a physicist, lead them to think about their problems in new and different ways, and even create a few a-ha moments,” she says.
Brad Burkhart
Santa Cruz sculptor Brad Burkhart https://burkhart-sculptor.com/ didn’t need convincing. Burkhart’s partner on the physics side was Hendrik Ohldag. He is a physicist from the Stanford Synchotron Radiation Laboratory where he studies magnetism. Burkhart entered the partnership already inspired. He is quick to share his favorite title Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time and Light by San Francisco surgeon Leonard Shlain.
“I’ve always been interested in the overlap between the arts and the sciences,” says Burkhart. “It’s [Shlain’s] premise that art leads science by 50 years or so. Artists come up with a visual framework that is later discovered and proven by scientists.”
Gates of Paradise
Inspired by the Gates of Paradise at the Baptistry of Florence, Burkhart turned his artistic attention to creating small bas-relief panels from high-fired clay that are similar to what he saw in Florence. Burkhart visited his scientist partner Ohldag in the physicist’s lab, and Ohldag returned the favor by visiting Burkhart during Open Studios. Eventually, Burkhart created a series of his relief panels guided by feedback and comments from Ohldag.
“I’m going to have a description of how we collaborated. I’m going to have Hendrick’s comments on the four sculptures as well,” says Burkhart.
Randie Silverstein,glass artist
Glass artist Randie Silverstein says that her collaboration with physics grad student, Alex McDaniel led to an enormous breakthrough in my work. I’ve been doing glass art to explore the material further. Then I conceived of and manipulated the materials in ways I hadn’t done before. Randie’s work took off in a totally new direction.
For Bailey, the non-artist who found herself curating an art show, Fusion is part of a mission to bring the concepts of physics to a wider public. “Art is a much more friendly and inviting way to attract people than physics,” she says. Of the work she created alongside mosaic artist Beth Purcell, she says that the artwork is more than a few pieces of aesthetic pleasure. “I consider them extraordinary teaching tools, something I can bring into the classroom to convey an important concept in physics.”
‘Fusion of Art and Physics’ runs through March. Opening reception is Friday, March 1, 5-9 p.m. Artist and physicist panel discussion on Saturday, March 16, noon-2 p.m. R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St. Extension, Santa Cruz. slbailey109.wixsite.com/fusion/blog.
Brad Burkhart, clay artist participated in the Collaboration between Art and Physics. He is a lover of Physics as well as clay scultpure.Brad recommended that I read Art and Physics a book by Leonard Shlain. It truly opened my eyes to the science of art.
Brad Burkhart shares his process-clay and physics
Since finishing my sketches for the project, I have been turning them into clay relief form. Due to time issues,not all sketches could become sculptures for the group show on March 1. My goal was to finish 4 of the 6.Notwithstanding this goal was daunting. Each of the clay pieces require over a month of slow drying before firing. By necessity, I sped up the drying process. I used an electric heater in the studio. Moreover, I devised an open lath support under the sculptures to allow them to dry faster. Finally, I found local potters,Steve and Bonny Barisof. They agreed to do this firing for me.
The process-
Below are a few photos of the transformation from sketch to sculpture.
Firing is always an unpredictable process. This one was no exception. The three top pieces came out beautifully. However, apparently I had not dried the bottom one enough. Unfortunately, it fell apart in the kiln.
But the disintegration of piece #4 led to some new insights. My wife and I discussed the broken piece. We decided to mount the main pieces on a board. A quote on Chaos Theory is its show title. After that, we named the other pieces in a similar way. As a result, using physicist quotes or theories added to the exhibit.. I invited Hendrik to participate. In the end we went with my wife’s suggestions for the show. In other words,her suggestions were easier to understand by average viewers. However, I present them both below because they are both insightful. I am still deciding on final names for the pieces. Although I have definitely embraced Hendrik’s name for #3.
Hendrik’s Suggestions:1.) Superconductivity by John Bardeen, Leon Cooper, John Robert Schrieffer2.) What is it? Fermi-Dirac or Bose-Einstein3.) Einstein, Soccer and Gravitation Waves4.) Parity or no Parity, Noether, not Hamlet will answer this question.
Wife Ann’s Suggestions:1) “Things” Can Be Regarded on One Level as Structures and on AnotherLevel as Processes —-T. R. Young
2) By Making Everything as Small as Possible the Waves Become MuchMore Agile and Faster —-H. Ohldag
3) Are You the Observer or the Observed?
4) The Final Outcome…Is Radically Affected by Tiny Changes in theInitial Conditions —-S. Morgan
Complexity theory also denies the concept of the objectivity, or separation of the observer from the observed (Young 11).
4) Steev Morgan: Applying Chaos Theory to Artistic and Cultural Practice
Continuing Work at Hendrik’s New Lab
In addition to preparing sculptures for the show, I have continued to interact with Hendrik at his new lab. I am awaiting his comments about having my piece “What’s Your Sign?” in his new lab at the Berkeley Cyclotron. He is just getting started there.
In the meantime, we discovered that the research conducted at SLAC resulted in a significant breakthrough in understanding the speed of magnetic waves. Previously it had been thought that 1 mile per hour was the limit. But they discovered through the experiment that if materials were made small enough, this speed could increase up to 500 miles per hour. This is particularly significant because computer memories use magnetic storage. With the right design, it now appears possible to significantly increase storage. Moreover,while lowering energy use significantly.
Naming a Piece at the New Lab
I try to name my works through a group consensus process. We have been attempting such a process at Hendrik’s new Berkeley Lab location. We hung an unnamed piece in the researchers’ lounge with a suggestion box nearby. See the piece below with set of suggestions. Feel free to participate in the process by e-mailing Hendrik or myself your suggestions. I envision sorting these out along with names for the show pieces later this spring.
Artist Bryson Bost (left) and UCSC graduate student Johnny Davenport.Courtesy of Stephanie Bailey
Art and Science
Humanities, Arts, Crafts and Design Practices (HACD)
Stephanie Bailey, a Ben Lomond resident, nuclear physicist, and physics lecturer at UCSC, teaches introductory physics for life science majors. As part of her classes, Bailey attempts to bring in humanities, arts, crafts and design practices (HACD). The aim is to incorporate other skills into the classroom to make a well-rounded student.
“It is important our students build bridges between disciplines in order to address real world problems in order to span disciplinary borders,’ Bailey said. “Incorporating HACD into our physics curriculum makes better scientists. Just as it leads to improved educational outcomes for undergraduates, HACD experiences have value for STEM researchers as well.”After introducing these practices into my classroom, I saw it did make for better learners. I thought it does not have to stop here, so I imagined it could help researchers as well.”
Twenty Pairs-UCSC Lecturer Leads Collaboration
As a result, Bailey got the idea to pair 20 physicists with local artists to create a piece or pieces of work. In addition the art would be shown in an art gallery in March.
“I worked to pair each physicist with an artist,” Bailey said. “I wanted each physicist to explain to their artist what work they were doing. Most importantly, it was then up to the pair to express the work visually.”
The Art Community Joins In
Through an open solicitation to the art community, Bailey said she was shocked at how many artists responded interested in the project. One of the artists was a Santa Cruz native, Tauna Coulson. Coulson and first year UCSC graduate student Arturo Quezada worked ogether. Quezada worked previously in the Velasco Lab.
One Pair
“We had this great conversation and then he took me to the lab where he is essentially studying a type of microscope,” Coulson said. She explained the two worked together to explore the artistic beauty of graphene. For instance, graphene was one of the materials Quezada is looking at using the microscope.
Engagement of People with Physics
The objective for the collaboration is to enable access and engage people with physics through art. Similarly, to think about the role physics plays in their lives and in the world at large. The final pieces of art will be displayed at the Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz. Bailey is hoping to organize an opening reception with panel discussions with the artist/physicist pairs.
Panel Discussions
“It will be a moderated panel where the artists and physicists can talk about the creative process in addition to what was learned working together,” Bailey said. Bailey said she is still looking for donations to organize and fund the exhibit. Those looking to help fund the project can visit: https://slbailey109.wixsite.com/fusion/donations
In addition to being one of the artists, Coulson is also the curator of the exhibit. According to Coulson,the pairs in addition to the artwork, will write up a short piece explaining the physicist work.
In Conclusion
“Physicists do not normally interact with artists. Those circles rarely cross paths,” Bailey said. “For me this has been a wonderful opportunity to meet other people while at the same time bringing me closer to a whole other community in Santa Cruz.”
Inspiration and the Wonder of the Collider Event Display
Inspiration and the Collider Event Display on a Tuesday 7/3/18
Ben, the physicist studies collider event displays. I, the art quilter looks for inspiration. We had our second meeting at my studio in the Santa Cruz Art Center, 1001 Center St. Downtown Santa Cruz. My studio is 243 square feet small but I have 3 walls to show my work on.
Fabric Layering Technique
I had a fabric layering piece in progress on my table. Then I explained the technique to Ben. First, I lay a piece of backing fabric on the table. I cover it with batting, the soft material inside of a quilt. Finally, I cover the piece with tulle netting and free motion quilt the three layers together. I like using this technique for making underwater fantasies and landscape quilts. I had previously made an interactive activity with precut fish and kelp for visitors to create an underwater scene. Since Ben had expressed an interest in creating some art as well, I thought that this would be a good introduction to the materials. It’s hard to create art on demand so Ben took it home to play with.
My inspiration comes from Fabmo
My inspiration comes from the materials and how they play together. Many of the materials I use come from FABMO(Fabric and more) http://fabmo.org/fabmo/Home.html. It is an all volunteer nonprofit based in Mountain View. It turns out that Ben lives nearby and jogs on the same street regularly. Each week FABMO volunteers visit the San Francisco Design Center. They collect materials; fabric samples, decorative details, wall paper sample, tiles, that would otherwise end up in the landfill. These materials available to the public for a donation. They even come to Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz about 5 times a year. I have been volunteering there for about 9 years. I am very passionate about sharing the work FABMO does as well as using their unique materials.
How do I Solve Problems?
Ben asked about limitations that I might have in my work. How do I solve problems? I find it necessary at times to stop when working on a piece.Then I return later to look at the work with “fresh eyes”. What else can be done to make it better? Are the colors and textures balanced? I had to admit that I do not stress too much about choices I make while making my art.
Let’s take a break.
Time for . . .
Fun Facts for Nonscientists
A cell is made up of molecules. A molecule is made up of atoms. An atom is made up of sub-atomic particles. Sub-atomic particles are made up of electrons and nucleons. A nucleon has protons and neutrons in it. A quark is smaller than that.
THE MYSTERY OF THE COLLIDER EVENT DISPLAY
At our first meeting, Ben, the collaborator had shown me photos of some collider event displays. Incredibly, they looked like fibers. He hoped that they might prove to be an inspiration. Some threadlike lines created a circle and crossed at the diameter. As far as art, they struck me as fairly uninspiring. However, after hearing the science behind it, they became much more interesting. Do not confuse a collider event display with a cardboard event display from a sales convention.
Path of One Particle
For example,each line represents the trajectory or path of one particle after a crash like event. The scientists break apart the particles to study them. The fallout from the crash like events can be predicted. The lines represent what it would look like after many collider events. When someone understands what they are really looking at, it becomes more interesting. Eureka! I created a truly inspired fiber piece with different threads, thicknesses, and colors. Above all, the scientific explanation solved the mystery of the uninspired photo.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/02/fusion-of-art-and-physics-ii/
The gloomy June coastal overcast was just lifting as I stepped off the bus on Science Hill at the University of California, Santa Cruz(UCSC). The sun was out but a coolness in the air remained. A slight hint of redwood filled the air. Having been on campus numerous times but I hadn’t recalled the loveliness of the fragrance. Enchanting, it was.The collaboration between the artist and the scientist is about to begin learning from guarding chalk to black holes.
Bridge from one side of campus to the other.
The Physics Office
I enjoyed the short walk to Benjamin Lehmann’s office in the Interdisplinary Science Building. I had never been there,but I had been to the nearby Science Library. After arriving a bit early, I took the opportunity to look around the lobby . I snuck a look at the photos of professors and PhD candidates on the wall. As it was finals week, the lobby was busy with a diverse group of students working on their laptops. The days of science being a males only field are over.
Ann Baldwin May 2018, art quilterBenjamin Lehmann, Phd physics studentBen’s office
Ben’s Office-From Guarding Chalk to Black Holes
When Ben arrived, he showed me his office, a small room with 4 desks and a chalkboard. Evidently, physicists resisted the change to white boards. They have been able to continue with chalk and blackboards for their labors. Each grad student guards their special stash of chalk. As a retired elementary school teacher who spent most of her career teaching from a chalk board, I found the practice relatable and charming.
The Search for Common Ground
We began taking baby steps to find common ground to work together. Ben pulled up some images,photos,charts and graphs on his computer that he thought might be a starting point of inspiration. They were incredible shots of space. I prefer my art be more impressionistic rather than photo image perfect. However, I plan on keeping an open mind on this aspect. I may be adjust my opinion for this project. Ben expressed an interest in being an active participant in some of the artwork.The fabric laying techniques easily accessible to newcomers. He would create a scene and I would do the sewing part. The possibility is worth looking forward to.
Learning about Dark Matter
Ben asked what I understood about dark matter. My response pertained to my very limited knowledge of black holes. Ben graciously commented that many words seems similar but have different meanings. As a theorist, he explained that he studies the beginning of the universe by studying particles and their actions right after the Big Bang. Dark matter is matter(solid, liquid, gas)that is all around us but we can’t see it. I thought of wifi. As an educational system, a core part of UCSC curriculum fosters interdisciplinary studies and collaborations as essential to the future work environment. Ben, as one of its students was successful in communicating these difficult ideas. While I understood his explanations, I warned him that I might need to have them repeated again.
Scientists need to Communicate Clearly
The issue of scientists communicating to others is crucial, more now than ever. Explaining complex scientific concepts to people, however educated they my be in their own fields, is a crucial skill. Ben shared that monthly lectures were offered by the Physics Department. At those meetings, different physicists to share their work. He admitted that he sometimes couldn’t totally understand the physicists whose work was in a field of physics different from his own. We must all work to break down the silos of communication.
Creativity -Thinking with an Open Mind
Creativity involves being open to new thinking or trying something new. One must venture forth without knowing what the end process or destination may be. In other words, Ben, theorical physicist and I, art quilter both had a creative day.
Finals Week
As the early afternoon heated up, Ben had to leave to proctor a final exam. I continued to sit on the bench we had found outside inhaling the redwoods until it got too hot. UCSC rightfully holds a place on the list of most beautiful campuses. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I undoubtably was the only person relaxed and smiling on that finals week afternoon.
Above all,human spaceflight inspires humans to create art in many forms.In addition,watch the video of a collection of fiber art quilts entitled Fly Me To The Moon. In addition,the show has been touring the country since late 2016. Moreover, many more stops are planned for the schedule. Subsequently,a group of those art quilts honored space travel was displayed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2015. So this is in honor of the recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire. After that,the show’s curator, Susanne Jones comments on the artistic elements of some of the pieces. Ultimately,she notes the educational value of the exhibit to a nation inspired by space exploration.
Blue Collider Event Display art quilt in Stitching, CA
The ‘Space for Art’ column recognizes the inspiration from the interaction between space and art. This inspiration presents itself in many artistic forms. For example,creative artists present the story of space exploration.
Quilting adds a New Level
The world of quilting adds surprise and a new level to recent discoveries. Another whole world of fine art that I was completely unaware of. However, thrilled I am to have now discovered it. The space-themed quilts in particular hold much interest.
Finally,these are quilts created and sewn by fiber artists. In addition to fabric and thread, they also incorporate many forms of mixed media.This adds texture and dimension. Read the complete article here.
