Abstract:

Art and science share a common goal: to challenge our understanding of reality. Both are human endeavors aimed at making sense of the complex world we inhabit and our role within it. As a creative crossroads, the contemporary field of ArtScience — whether through collaboration or individual practice — has been gaining momentum in recent years. However, bringing these disciplines together remains an ambitious endeavor.

Rooted in their own distinct traditions and specialisms, collaborations between art and science often face challenges. Art in these partnerships is frequently seen as a tool for communicating complex scientific ideas, rather than as a fundamental contributor to scientific discovery. This is surprising given the unique psychological relationship humans have with art — experiencing art can foster understanding, meaning-making, and the generation of new ideas, all of which are essential for tackling complex problems and driving creativity in research.

In this talk, I will explore why interdisciplinary collaboration between art and science is so valuable and what is needed for successful co-creation. I will share insights and examples from ARTlab, the experimental ArtScience space I co-founded at the University of Nottingham, which led to the current Cosmic Titans exhibition, as well as from SEADS, the global collective of transdisciplinary researchers and practitioners that I co-lead. Additionally, I will highlight the benefits of ArtScience through modeling in and with artistic research, encouraging us to reflect on our own perspectives and assumptions in model-building and how creative engagement can deepen our exploration of these models.

Dr Ulrike Kuchner, MFA is a practicing astrophysicist, artist, interdisciplinary researcher, and curator based at the University of Nottingham.