Art
Striking photo by MUN chemist in national contest that celebrates the art of science – CBC.ca
To the untrained eye, the photograph looks like a riot of colours and shapes, in the vein of abstract art.
It is art — and it’s also science, a literal snapshot of Stephanie Gallant’s chemistry research at Memorial University, that’s now on digital display and up for public voting as part of a national contest of scientific research images.
But what exactly is the jumble?
“You’re looking at crystals, and it might not seem like crystals like we think, because they’re on a very different size scale, but they are crystals,” said Gallant.
The crystals, made of cobalt, iron and oxygen, are almost unimaginably small, ranging between 60 to 500 nanometres — a poppyseed is 10,000 times the size of the largest of them.
Gallant made the tiny, magnetic nanoparticles in a lab, as part of her research work in materials chemistry, and even she grapples with their size.
“I can barely visualize it, because it’s something we wouldn’t be able to see with our naked eye on that scale,” she said.
Lucky for her, and the wider world of science, there is an instrument that can visualize it: a scanning electron microscope. Gallant used one to capture the image, and then she took some artistic licence to make the particles visually pop with teal, pink and mustard hues.
“It’s falsely coloured. The images that come from the scanning electron microscope are black and white,” she told CBC Radio’s Weekend AM.
“That’s kind of the artistic part of what I’ve done, is that I’ve digitally coloured it afterwards, trying to highlight the different shapes that you see.”
The colours help her and other scientists distinguish between the different forms of the crystals. Those shapes form part of Gallant’s research, as she delves into why the crystals, which all have the same chemical composition, take on different shapes.
Regardless of size, they all serve a purpose — as a material chemist, Gallant works to find practical uses for various creations.
“Believe it or not these beautiful little crystals can actually be used for sensing of pollutants,” she said.
The esthetics of science
Gallant had long hoped to submit an image to the Science Exposed contest, run by the federal Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
“I’ve been following this contest for years, just out of interest. I love art, I love science, and it’s the perfect in-between of the two,” she said.
The contest aims to showcase scientific research across Canada, and doubles as an artistic exhibition for biologists, physicists, chemists and anyone working in the field.
“There’s something visually interesting in every science, I personally think, and you can see that in the contest entries,” said Gallant.
Images from 2020 include a closeup look at a bee’s compound eye, a fluorescent ovarian tumour biopsy sample, and the spiky balls within a lithium ion battery.
“It gives a little glimpse into what we do every day,” said Gallant.
“As a chemist, I know not everyone knows what people in chemistry do every day, so it’s a nice little piece of that to explain, this is what I spend my time doing, and this is what it could be used for.”
Voting for the contest, which runs until Sept. 13, takes place on the Science Exposed website.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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