Broad Vision: The Art & Science of Looking

Abstract

Undergraduate students and academic staff from diverse disciplines in the arts and sciences investigated questions of mediated vision through a year-long interdisciplinary research project at the University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. The Broad Vision project explored the perception and interpretation of microscopic worlds, and investigated the benefits and challenges of working across disciplinary divides in a university setting. This article describes the three-phase model for interdisciplinary learning and research developed through the project, providing a valuable case study for inquiry based art/science education. Author/Artist Bio Heather Barnett is a visual artist, researcher and educator working with biological systems and scientific processes. With interests ranging across medicine, psychology, perception and visualization, projects have included microbial portraiture, cellular wallpapers, performing cuttlefish and self-organizing installations. She is ‘Learning & Teaching Fellow’ and ‘Senior Lecturer’ in Photographic Arts at the University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom and runs an independent arts practice working on art/science research collaborations and public art commissions. For full information on project outputs visit: www.broadvision.info. John R. A. Smith is a ‘Senior Lecturer’ in Imaging Science at the University of Westminster and an independent forensic imaging specialist. His university work includes teaching imaging science, scientific imaging and practical photography to a variety of students. He is an active member of the international forensic science community, attending and presenting at many conferences, carrying out research, lecturing at various institutions, and delivering training to students, police and private-sector forensic science providers. He describes his general interest as being “the influence imaging technologies have in aiding our understanding of the world at every scale”.