‘Metamorphosis’ symposium intertwines arts and sciences

On a college campus, the arts and the sciences are often kept separate.

But elin o’Hara slavick, director of UNC’s art department, thinks the disciplines are inseparable.

“I see more similarities between them than differences,” she said. “It seems like a false split.”

Slavick will host “Metamorphs: Artists Spin Science,” a symposium featuring three artists who have combined aesthetic and experimental worlds.

Two of the artists, Brandon Ballengee and Marina Zurkow, have won Guggenheim Fellowships for exceptional creative ability in the arts.

Ballengee’s scientific research about deformed amphibians was published in 2009 in the Journal of Experimental Zoology.

He said both his scientific and artistic inspiration comes from his favorite childhood pastime — spending the afternoon catching amphibians.

He said he views art as a method of sharing esoteric information in an accessible way.

“Science is about review and research and tends to be more insular,” he said.

“Art is more of an emotive or poetic response to the research.”
He said that art is important to his scientific research.

“Working in a lab inspires my artwork,” he said. “There is a constant exchange between the fields.”

Zurkow, whose work focuses on humanity’s relationship with the natural world, said she also views the subjects as complements.
“Art and science are not symmetrical,” she said.

She said science seeks to prove ideas whereas art tends to remain hypothetical.

“This makes art and science fantastic and fruitful companions,” she said.

The third visiting artist, Jane Marsching, uses digital media to investigate humans’ environmental impact.

Slavick said she organized the event in an attempt to meld science and the humanities.

“Now that we live in a more secular world, art seems to be more for entertainment value,” she said.

“I think it should remain an intellectual pursuit.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.