Reflecting creatively: The intersection of art and science

In the course BIOL 4930: Creative Problem-Solving, students are introduced to innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches to topics in biology. Taught by Dr. Deanna Arble, assistant professor of biological sciences, and Lynne Shumow, curator for academic engagement at the Haggerty Museum of Art, this course explores the intersection of creativity and scientific discovery, truly putting the “and” in Arts and Sciences.

The exhibition “Parallel Play: The Art of Science & the Science of Art” was created in conjunction with the Creative Problem-Solving class. The exhibited works of art provide tangible examples of concepts discussed in class. This exhibit features work from the Haggerty Museum of Art’s permanent collection, divided into four sections that represent stages of the scientific and creative process: clarification, ideation, development and implementation. Reflecting on these stages, we can contemplate our own approaches to global issues to reconsider how we see the world.

Stage 1: Clarification

When seeking to interpret the world around you, the first step is always to clarify the information in front of you. For artists and scientists alike, focusing on defining terms and zooming into the details is essential before considering the broader context surrounding the subject. Dr. Chris W. Marshall, assistant professor of biological sciences, observes that “all scientists are artists,” particularly in the practice of clarification. A painter may focus on a portrait of a face and a microbiologist may focus on individual cells, both paying attention to the small details that form a much larger organism.

Installation photograph of the exhibition Parallel Play: The Art of Science & The Science of Art at the Haggerty Museum of Art.

We can reflect on our own process of clarification through viewing the first grouping of artwork featured in the “Parallel Play” exhibition. Marshall guides us through his own analysis of Chuck Close’s “John,” a massive portrait of a man’s face made entirely out of small colored shapes. Marshall notes that Close’s portrait mirrors the way microbes function — small elements coming together to form a much larger picture. As we walk through life, it’s important to pay attention to the small details that act as the building blocks of the world we live in. Clarifying our perspectives to see both minute details and the bigger picture allows us to approach both art and science from multiple angles.

Stage 2: Ideation

The second stage of the scientific and creative process is ideation: the exploration of ideas to find new solutions. Challenging our own preconceptions of how the world works may be difficult, but it’s through this reflective process that we open ourselves to new ideas and change. Exploring these ideas allows scientists and artists alike to find new ways to express themselves and make sense of the world around them.

“The root of creativity is in finding new associations in things we otherwise wouldn’t think of as related,” Arble says.

Romare Bearden, American, 1911-1988, Reunion, 1974, Editioned collage, 94.17, Gift of Virginia & J. Thomas Maher III, Collection of the Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, © 2024 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Continuing through the featured portraits of the exhibition, Romare Bearden’s “Reunion” begs audiences to make connections between the variety of materials and styles used to illustrate this scene. Before categorizing and contributing to the world around them, scientists and artists need to practice ideation to understand how associations work in day-to-day life and what implications they may have. Brainstorming how seemingly unrelated elements may be connected is a crucial step for both scientists and artists seeking to better understand the world that we live in.

Stage 3: Development

After exploring diverse ideas surrounding the issues we face in the world, the next step in the creative and scientific process is development: transforming ideas into actionable steps. Development plays a crucial role in the creative and scientific process as a bridge between initial ideas and groundbreaking advancements. Development is a process of transformation, where we bring ideas into tangible results and actions — an essential step for progress and innovation.

Chris Larkee, American, b. 1983, Nanomachine Counterpoint, 2024, Video animation, Collection of Marquette University Visualization Lab  

Chris Larkee, visual technology specialist for the Marquette Visualization Lab, blurs the line of art and science in “Nanomachine Counterpoint.” The image shown above is a singular frame of a fully animated visualization of a bacterial nanomachine. The full video animation features intricate weaving artistry in the pathways of brain connectivity and submicroscopic particles. In collaboration with Dr. Martin St. Maurice, professor of biological sciences, these visualizations not only showcase the artistic design of biological structures but also the ability to develop unimaginable concepts into a tangible way of understanding the world. Focusing on our own development reminds us that discovery is a process, both for artists and scientists alike, and new approaches to putting our ideas into action can lead to innovative solutions.

Stage 4: Implementation

The final step of the creative and scientific process is implementation: putting solutions into actions. Implementing ideas into reality can change the world by driving progress and challenging misconceptions. In both the creative and scientific process, putting pen to paper or brush to canvas is a final step in expressing ideas that can impact the lives of countless people.

Utagawa Hiroshige, Japanese, 1797-1858, Snow Scene at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno, 1848–1849, Woodblock print,
83.14.4, Gift of Mr. Samuel Gansheroff, Collection of the Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University

An amazing illustration of implementation can be seen in “Snow Scene at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno” by Utagawa Hiroshige. This style of print artwork implemented bokashi, a time-intensive technique for color gradation that became famous in the iconic Japanese genre of ukiyo-e art. Hiroshige’s implementation of unique art styles allowed him to create many iconic pieces of art that would inspire future artists from Claude Monet to Vincent Van Gogh. Hiroshige’s artwork serves as a testament to the importance of implementing new ideas and discoveries, both in scientific and creative processes.

Reflecting on the creative processes of artists and scientists helps us become more aware of our own decision-making and insights we can make for the future. To interact meaningfully with the “Parallel Play” exhibition, Arble suggests the reflective process of ekphrasis, a free verse form of poetry that invites a writer to describe their interactions with art. Ekphrasis is a loose and meditative form of poetry that asks the writer to consider how they see art and what ideas they may develop from experiencing it. Much like the visual art in this exhibition, ekphrasis is deeply connected to both art and science, as it encourages reflection on ideas such as clarification, ideation, development, and implementation.

“Parallel Play: The Art of Science & the Science of Art” was a featured exhibition at the Haggerty Museum of Art until May 24. The Haggerty Museum of Art is open for free admission from Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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