NOVA Season 9 Episode 7 Artists in the Lab
- November 15, 1981
Artists in the Lab, the seventh episode of the ninth season of NOVA, takes a look at the intersection of art and science. The episode follows a group of artists who have been given unique access to scientific facilities and labs, to explore how they can use their artistic talents to highlight and illuminate scientific phenomena.
The episode begins by introducing the artists taking part in the project, who come from a range of disciplines, including sculpture, installation art, and photography. They are shown visiting research facilities, meeting with scientists, and seeing firsthand the cutting-edge technologies being used to study everything from genetics and neuroscience to astrophysics and climate change.
As they move from lab to lab, the artists begin to form their own interpretations of the scientific concepts and findings they encounter. Some create sculptures and installations based on their experiences, while others take photographs or create digital art. Through interviews with the artists, the episode explores how they are using their work to challenge conventional ways of thinking about science and to make it more accessible to a wider audience.
The episode also examines how the project is challenging the traditional boundaries between art and science, and whether the two disciplines can work together to create something new and meaningful. The scientists working alongside the artists offer their perspectives on the collaboration, with some expressing skepticism about the value of bringing artists into the lab, while others see it as an opportunity to communicate their work to a broader audience.
Throughout the episode, viewers are shown stunning visuals of scientific phenomena captured through the lenses of both scientists and artists. From the intricate patterns of neurons firing in the brain to the stunning beauty of the cosmos, the episode offers a unique perspective on the wonder and complexity of the natural world.
Ultimately, Artists in the Lab is an exploration of how art and science can come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Through the eyes of the artists and scientists involved in the project, viewers are encouraged to see the beauty and importance of scientific research in a new light, and to appreciate the power of art to help us understand and appreciate the world around us.