ART FOR SCIENCE
The Science of Art for the Art of Science
Why this project?
Enough of Science and of Art;
Close up those barren leaves;
Come forth and bring with you a heart
That watches and receives.
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So wrote William Wordsworth in 1798, and the sentiment is justified only as an indictment of an outlook that is too trammelled by the footnotes of science and art to see the big picture, the source that inspires and absorbs scientist and artist alike, nature. In their kinship and relation to nature, art and science can serve and sustain each other, and it is the aim of this art project to celebrate the wonders of science, when not abused by greed or lust for power. In widening human horizons within this planet and beyond, in tapping the oceans, multiplying food resources, in combating disease and promoting health and human prosperity, scientific achievement deserves the acknowledgement that this project seeks to record artistically and, in the process, to educate and inspire the young of this generation and impart to generations to come that what is worthy will seldom go unnoticed.
Scope
The achievements that science has made at the hands of its great founders, in the Muslim world and beyond, will be the key feature of this project. While giving early Muslim scientists the fair credit that they have hitherto not received for their pioneering efforts and germinating ideas, the project will highlight, where relevant, links and connections between these scientists and scientists of other cultures, mapping the essential unity that binds and enriches human heritage at its best. Owing to the vast extent in space and time (form El Maya in Central America in the West to China in the East; and from the time of the Babylonians and the Pharaohs to our own day), the project is admittedly ambitious. Fortunately a great principle in science, as well as in art, can apply here, the principle of judicious selection. A representative sample of major periods and major scientists will find its due place, shedding light on key ideas and arousing interest in other works and other scientists. The period of scientific pioneering and effloresce in the Islamic world, for example, extends from 700 to 1700 AD. But in order to achieve adequate coverage, the project, in addition to the principle of representative selection, will be carried out through several stages, starting with eminent pioneers and moving on to their talented successors in a given field or period. It is envisaged that this coverage will demand the holding of several exhibitions, accompanied by a substantial publishing programme, comprising educational and documentary materials in the form of books, films and compact discs.
The Artwork and the Exhibition
The nucleus of the project will be the production of artwork that addresses sense and sensibility alike, painting in suggestive ways the main features in the work of a scientist or group of scientists, setting their achievements in the context of their time and their writing, and juxtaposing them with scientists of other periods or cultures and, where relevant, introducing assessment of their work by their contemporary peers or fellow-scientists in subsequent periods. These paintings and the ideas reflected in them will be the subject of the documentary and discursive materials of the publishing programme, thus providing interconnected educational and informative base.
The exhibitions will travel worldwide, moving from country to country and from one venue to another, the mission being the promotion of knowledge through art and in as a wide range of coverage as possible.
Join us
We welcome supporters and partners. This is a venture that calls for joint effort, and we are open to advice and assistance from specialists in various fields of knowledge and management as well as from the community and public and private institutions, including:
- Scientists, Artists and Academics
- Museum and Gallery Curators
- Media Partners
- Transport and Insurance Partners
- Logistic Experts
- Fundraising Partners and Sponsors
Work on the project has already begun, but more demands on time, money and expertise must be met if this ambitious initiative is to yield optimum results. We have already spent the best part of a year on extensive research to select the scientists best suited to give a representative exposition of the major themes. Part of the artwork is currently being done and other parts are near completion. Ours is an educational and humanitarian mission. A percentage of the profits from sales of the products connected with this project will go to charitable organisation that promote this or similar causes in art, education and science. We are confident that people of goodwill share our interest in the role of art in advancing the cause of knowledge and peace for humanity. Now is the time to turn good intentions into action. We are waiting to hear from you. We welcome your active assistance, ideas or suggestions. Get in touch, and let your voice be heard.
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