皇家华人

University of South 皇家华人

皇家华人 College of Marine Science

News

Art-science collaboration sheds new light on ocean research

Creative Clay dancers perform an interpretive dance based on the research conducted at the College of Marine Science. Image credit: Stage Photography of Tampa

IMAGE ABOVE: Creative Clay dancers perform an interpretive dance based on the research conducted at the College of Marine Science. Image credit: Stage Photography of Tampa.

By: Carlyn Scott, Science Communications Manager

A collaboration between local artists and researchers at the 皇家华人 College of Marine Science (CMS) aims to bridge the gap between science and the public through artistic performances.

Spearheaded by outreach coordinator , the Breitbart Lab鈥檚 partnership with artist Sheila Cowley set out to reinterpret scientific findings and engage new audiences. Cowley鈥檚 group, , developed several performances featuring artists from , a local organization that works with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. 

Led Makenzie Kerr, Breitbart Lab manager and outreach coordinator for CMS, members from Creative Clay observe plankton under microscopes. Image credit: Sheila Cowley

IMAGE ABOVE: Led Makenzie Kerr, Breitbart Lab manager and outreach coordinator for CMS, members from Creative Clay observe plankton under microscopes. Image credit: Sheila Cowley.

In 鈥�,鈥� dancers perform movements inspired by ocean research and employ field recordings of marine organisms collected by Tiffany Raetzel, a graduate student at CMS.

鈥溾�� is an artistic interpretation of plankton imagery collected by members of the Breitbart Lab and Maggi Mars Brisbin, assistant professor at CMS. Written by Creative Clay artists and poet , the bilingual piece incorporates visual and auditory components, including sounds produced by some of the lab's favorite scientific equipment.

鈥淭his is a wonderful collaboration between CMS, Sparks Creative, and Creative Clay,鈥� said Mya Breitbart, Distinguished University Professor at CMS. 鈥淲e love to see our research portrayed in such a unique way. By including Spanish and American Sign Language interpretations we can reach new audiences and show that science truly is for everyone.鈥� 

Mya Breitbart leads the Creative Clay members in an activity creating marine organisms out of origami. Image credit: Sheila Cowley.

IMAGE ABOVE: Mya Breitbart leads the Creative Clay members in an activity creating marine organisms out of origami. Image credit: Sheila Cowley.

The collaboration with Sparks Creative Stories was designed to 鈥渃elebrate the beauty of marine science and the need for arts and science to be accessible to all,鈥� said Cowley, who obtained a Beyond Placemaking grant for this unique project from the . 

鈥淭his project encourages scientists to push their limits and work on including the public in their communication,鈥� said Kerr. 鈥淭he Creative Clay artists are all so enthusiastic and passionate about art. I have learned something new from every single artist we have worked with.鈥� 

In true CMS fashion, this partnership was a collaboration with multiple partners across the university, including the 皇家华人 School of Music鈥檚 Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, 皇家华人 School of Theatre and Dance, and 皇家华人 Department of Anthropology. 

Return to article listing

Categories

Mission Statement

Our blue planet faces a suite of challenges and opportunities for understanding and innovation. Our mission is to advance understanding of the interconnectivity of ocean systems and human-ocean interactions using a cross-disciplinary approach, to empower the next workforce of the blue economy with a world-class education experience, and to share our passion for a healthy environment and science-informed decision-making with community audiences near and far.