Art plays an important role in helping people make sense of complex data in new and exciting ways. Able to see the patterns in data, artists and scientists alike translate information into visual and aesthetic forms that increase awareness and make complicated issues and ideas easier to understand.
From January 21 through the month of February, an exhibit featuring artwork influenced by science, technology, or data science will be on display in the Hub Central Lobby at the Discovery Building (300 N. Orchard Street). The exhibit will be featured alongside a new permanent piece by nationally recognized artist Melanie Stimmell, depicting diversity within science.
The exhibit opens as part of the Data Science Research Bazaar, a two-day conference where researchers and data scientists from various disciplines and industries will have opportunities to share their work, collaborate, and discuss their data science interests. The art exhibit, entitled Science Seen, reflects how much science, technology, and data science permeate all disciplines and aspects of our lives, as well as how STEM and humanities fields co-exist and interrelate.
The artists featured in this exhibit are Cid Freitag, Felipe Gacharna, Katherine Rosing, Georgina Rutherford, and Mae Wilson.
Cid Freitag, who works with DoIT and has a background in cartography, a field that is at once scientific, data-centric, and artistic, will showcase a piece that depicts Madison’s lost Dividing Ridge.
Felipe Gacharna, from the UW-Madison School of Education, uses photography to capture dissipation and the transformation of earthly elements.
Katherine Rosing’s art also addresses environmental concerns, specifically related to climate change. Katherine is a professional visual artist and faculty at the College Transfer Art Department of Madison College.
Geo Rutherford, an MFA candidate at UW-Milwaukee, uses traditional printmaking processes and interdisciplinary material to portray swarm phenomena and the cycle of life.
Mae Wilson is an MFA student at UW-Madison, and will display work inspired by time spent working with the California State Parks.
The artwork will be exhibited from January 21, 2020 through the month of February, open for the campus and community to see.