Advancing art–science collaboration through a framework of play: What is the purpose of generating hand-drawn representations of technologically advanced, high-resolution image-data?

Abstract

Today’s scientists depend on advanced imaging and microscopy techniques as scientifically accurate forms of representation and developments in advanced imaging and microscopy are altering how we perceive and comprehend images. The focus of this paper is a discussion of how images of scientific data are generated by artists in distinction to scientists. Since 2010, a central part of my drawing practice has involved contributing to advanced imaging and microscopy research projects. I wanted to discover if and how an artist-researcher can contribute to interdisciplinary approaches in advanced imaging and microscopy by working as one of the research team. I conducted research to find out how an artist-researcher might contribute to new interdisciplinary methods in advanced imaging and microscopy and introduced play as a disruptive concept to trigger a reactionary response to scientific method. Discussion centres on a collaboration at the University of Nottingham Medical School in the Department of Life Science which happened over several years. The drawings illustrate how non-standard visualization techniques complement biomedical data. In outline, I suggest artists should be given access to scientific labs and work with scientists as part of the team to break down disciplinary barriers, and to generate new understanding. This body of work aims to elevate drawings status as a meaningful contributor to cross-disciplinary collaboration.