Art, Science and Experiment

• DOI: 10.5334/mjfar.2
• Publication Date: 2016-01-15T15:07:33Z
• Authors: Andrew Pickering
• Keywords: Value (mathematics); Prestige; Scientific theory

Some novel concepts have invaded the arts: ideas of art as experiment, and associated understandings research or research-creation conducted under laboratory conditions, and, beyond that, an idea a hybrid art-science. It is if science, two fields long regarded distinct, even polar opposites, are fusing into one. hard not to see politics at work in this. In pursuit academic standing, allies itself with field most prestige funding, science. Conversely, sciences, always danger social disconnection, try plug themselves everyday world through art. I am concerned here politics, but want explore some ways which art, science experiment actually engage one another. We can start by recognizing that ‘experiment’ has least meanings. it often narrow precise sense determining well defined parameter. exactly sure what acceleration due gravity Exeter is, so set up appropriate apparatus, do measure it. Scientific experimentation also hypothesis-testing. Theory X predicts value parameter be x, theory Y y. turns out y; falsified, confirmed. But other extreme from these examples, find another, much more open-ended exploratory ‘experiment’: brute finding out. Try see; happens . .? history physics, could think about attempts cool matter down closer absolute zero. just turned substances lose all electrical resistance become superconducting when very cold. cannot any artwork conform hypothesistesting experiment. contemporary belongs finding-out mode, focus on here. The phrase ‘new media’ comes mind. New-media began extent continues experimental plunging unknown achieved using, say, digital media instead paints brushes. Circuit-bending would striking example this impulse, randomly reconfiguring electronic circuits sorts sounds they generate.1 And way science/engineering productively engaged. artist Simon Penny (2008) written historical genealogy artist-inventors, artists been central important technological developments. This aspect goes back Leonardo da Vinci, became systematic with, development computer-art 1960s onwards (Reichardt 1971a, b). Though connection engineering evident here, important. Advanced microbiological techniques crucial bio-art, for example.2 works Evelina Domnitch Dmitry Gelfand take off esoteric physical effects like implosion bubbles induced high-frequency sound (http://www.portablepalace.com). these, figure substrate artworks may (or not) spark developments former. productive detour away possibly techno-science; techno-science surface emergence return, Foucault’s (1972) sense, art.3 relations between interesting oblique than simple mutual support. their studies science/art interdisciplinarity, Georgina Born, Andrew Barry Gisa Weszkalnys documented frictions around methods goals engineers collaborating