So this is how it is...

This was my winning blog entry to the 2014 Ogden Trust Blogden competition, so I thought I'd share!

This is how it is…
So, fresh faced and full of energy, you arrive at university. Expectant of future filled with new, interesting things and people, ready to expand your horizons and delve into exciting new territories. Or so you think. Little do you know that your degree subject may have already pigeonholed you into a stereotype…

So who are you? Remember you can
only pick one!

So what are you? A lazy, good for nothing, uber – creative and cliquey ‘Arts’ student? Or are you an obsessive, slightly crazy, geeky and socially awkward scientist? Many people would have you believe that these are the only two types of student, predetermined by the subject you chose. Of course there is a sliding scale; I mean, Geography likes to think it’s a Science, but we all really know it’s mostly just colouring in. This is where the war of ‘Arts vs Science’ really begins. Whose degree is worth more? Whose degree is harder? I mean, why would you even pick an arts degree? It’s not like you’re going to get a job. Oh, but seriously though, doesn’t a science degree basically just show you have no life? And so it goes on.

BUT this is REALLY how it is. Arts and Sciences go together quite nicely in fact. To some people this might seem a strange suggestion, but when you think about it isn’t all learning about thinking about the world and trying to make sense of it? Science does this through fact finding – investigating a part of our universe and determining facts about it through the scientific method. But art also does this by making people think about things, by causing a reaction amongst people, by capturing a moment, a feeling, a sense.

So I thought I’d put together some examples of how harmoniously these two can work together (and maybe restore some peace between the warring factions!). When you start looking at it, there are examples of these two sides working together all over the place… from psychology in drama; to literature that blends the two disciplines (I mean who doesn’t love a bit of Sci-fi?). But there are other ways in which art and science combine, in maybe slightly less obvious ways…

Art

We all know that Leonardo da Vinci was both a keen scientist and an excellent artist. But surely not many people cross the divide? Well it is actually very clear that science can influence and lead to innovations in art – photography, digital manipulation software (Fourier Transforms – oh yeah!) and developments in creating art materials have all influenced the development of art. Scientists must use design techniques in creating posters that display their research, and art is used to present science to a wider audience. But while each discipline can contribute to the other, can they combine?

Yes! Whilst there are some ideas that I find a bit weird really (a geneticist, Sir John Sulston, contributed some of his DNA from a sperm cell to an artist, who then treated it and replicated the DNA in bacteria. This was then grown in Agar jelly to create a ‘portrait’!) there are certainly other pieces of art that are based on science. Gorgeous images of neurons (brain cells) look like wonderful, slightly abstract images of trees. Maths produces some really stunning images when different functions are plotted on graphs. And who hasn’t been awed by beautiful images of nebulae? In turn, more science is being done on the psychological effects of art and the emotions it can produce in us.

Fractals and neurons - beautiful Science.

Dance

Ok, so this is probably the branch of the ‘arts’ that fits least comfortably with science. However it is important for dancers to consider the limitations of their own bodies, to be able to push themselves further whilst avoiding injury, something that biology and sports science have enabled. Dance has also become more exciting with improvements in technology – with dances now often incorporating springy stilts, moving stages and other amazing set features.

But also – how cool is this?! Check out how fun the meeting of science and dance really looks by clicking HERE!

A meeting of Science, Art, Dance and Music.

Music

So this is actually one of my favourite topics – the science of music. Music is so mathematical, never mind the fact that every musical instrument relies on Physics to make sound. Most instruments rely on vibrations produced by the musician, either by directly moving strings or a membrane or by moving air to create a standing wave, which we then hear after it travels through the air as a sound wave. However instruments such as the Theremin are just so cool and rely on electronics. Then there are so many innovations in technology that have meant records can be longer, music players get smaller, musicians can be louder and classical instruments can be entirely electronic (and thus often easier to transport and amplify).

It’s also worth considering what music gives to science. Many of our most famous scientists were also avid musicians – Einstein, Feynman, Borodin, as well as Brian Cox. Music gives people confidence in performing, which in turn can lead scientists to be able to present their science more effectively. However one of my favourites has to be Brian May, a member of the rock band Queen, and a student of astrophysics. He even managed to get scientific concepts into lots of Queen songs – my favourite being the lovely ’39, a song about special relativity no less. Click HERE to have a listen!

               
     

                         '39 - Queen from "A night at the Opera"
                      Based on the concepts of Special relativity

The theremin - controlled without
actually touching the instrument.

So as you can see – Science and Art can combine in very exciting ways and each discipline can benefit from the other. So this is how it is – art and science are compatible – don’t be afraid to venture across to the other side!