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The Symbiosis Project

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Immy

‘Symbiosis’ is Imagining Science’s current collaborative project, about relationships between art and science, scientists and artists. We’re using the fungi-plant symbiosis that is lichen to parallel the relationships we have with each other and our scientific and art communities, and between people and their environment. Symbiosis is a collaboration between Immy Smith (UK) and Scott Mantooth (US), with guest artists including Sarah Hearn (US), Marcel Bakker (Netherlands), and Hector Pineda Garcia (Mexico). We’re also working with University of Reading Herbarium (RNG), and a host of photographers from around the world.

Our event will take place during Reading Science Week March 15-22 2014, in The Rising Sun Arts Centre Reading, and is an art exhibition, with family drawing activities, and paper lichen models. Through hands-on drawing activities, we aim to engage and educate the public about the biology of lichens and their role in environmental monitoring, in addition to engaging with their aesthetic qualities and artistic form.

Mixed media project work by Immy Smith and Scott Mantooth

Lichen community on twigs – one of the reference sources for the project

Pencil drawing by Immy Smith from a photograph by Arthur Anker of lichen in Ecuador

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the assistance of the Reading Herbarium collections and staff, Immy Smith is producing drawn, painted and collaged artworks. Scott Mantooth is producing naturally dyed paper, card, filters and vintage materials for artists to use in the project. The exhibition will include artwork on hand-dyed luggage tags and postcards. These media represent the ability of lichens to colonise environments across the globe and its role as a pioneer travelling species, with additional tags for participants to draw on and either take part in the exhibition or take away. Local artisan book-maker Beth Coin is being commissioned to produce a large format book from locally sourced handmade materials, which will be displayed containing artwork and information regarding lichen history, biology and economic uses. Drawing activities will take place at the beginning of the week, and involve drawing lichens, and learning about the OPAL air quality survey and guidance for taking part.

Also see Dye lichens and Lichens of the Pacific Northwest

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About Immy

I'm an artist and former neuroscientist, and I'm a visiting artist at Herbarium RNG at the University of Reading, UK. I'm interested in natural forms and textures, and the overlaps between biological images and surreal art. You can see more of my work at www.immysmith.com and http://www.redbubble.com/people/immy and I'm @DrImmySmith on Twitter. I'm part of a science-art collaborative group called 'Imagining Science' and you can find out more at http://imaginingscienceart.blogspot.co.uk/
View all posts by Immy →
This entry was posted in Herbarium RNG, Public Engagement with Science and tagged Art, Hector Pineda Garcia, Imagining Science, Immy Smith, Lichen, Marcel Bakker, Reading University Herbarium, RNG, Sarah Hearn, Scott Mantooth, Symbiosis, The Symbiosis Project. Bookmark the permalink.
← Mapping campus biodiversity – A TLDF funded project
Ruth Harker – RBG Kew – linking the Vicieae seed collection to herbarium collections of Nigel Maxtead →
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Last reply was April 9, 2014
  1. Dye Lichens | Culham Research Group
    View January 6, 2014

    […] (RNG) has been assisting me in drawing lichens for a Reading Science Week art Exhibition called ‘Symbiosis’. Recently I’ve been focusing on lichen species used in traditional dying. Below are some […]

    Reply
  2. Symbiosis, the book – coming soon on this blog | Culham Research Group
    View April 9, 2014

    […] are in the process of digitising the Symbiosis book and will deliver it as a slideshow to this blog […]

    Reply
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