Dade College (Freedom Tower, Miami)
and generate a hardbound catalog. We held
symposia and panel talks with artists and
scientists to discuss ideas and talk about our
common, and maybe not so common, ground.
This, for me, was the most illuminating aspect.
I found that my preconceived ideas of how
scientists might be thinking about art was not
completely wrong, but also far from correct.
And, I think, the artists illuminated some
misconceptions as well. I very much enjoyed
these conversations and think it is critical to
have a dialogue like this between artists and
scientists: open and unfettered, where ideas,
opinions, and thoughts can be shared. There
was talk of forming a periodically meeting
group of artists and scientists and I sincerely
hope this happens. I also gave artist talks and
did an Art and Science workshop and was
simply amazed at the amount of interest in
the show from the public and the student
body at the participating institutions. The
whole experience reaffirmed my belief that
in some thriving future human society the
boundary between art and science will be
indistinguishable. What we have now is just the
beginning.
Q: What do you hope your viewer walks away
with from looking at your work?
A: When I make my work, I feel much like
that curiosity driven kid in the backyard glued
to the telescope, burning with the desire to
understand and to perhaps reveal something
new. I think that is a valuable perspective,
one that encompasses the “big picture,” a
perspective sorely missing in our fast and
faster world. I stand in reverence and awe of
the natural world and judge my work only in
it’s comparison to what we see in the universe
around us. I am happy if a small fragment of
this comes through in my work; that the viewer
may be compelled to stop, just for a moment,
from our hectic world, to wonder and engage in
questioning — for the questioning mind is an
optimal place to be.
Untitled 3
(2011). 14 3/4”
x 22”. Acrylic
polymer emulsion on paper
mounted on
panel. Courtesy
McKenzie Fine
Art.
Visit his website at www.danielhill.net.
SciArt in America August 2013
19