Past art-science events

In a screen-printing process she developed during her Broad residency, Lucy Kim transfers genetically-modified E. coli cells that produce melanin directly onto paper. Kim is exploring, materially and conceptually, what happens when images become visible through the same black and brown pigment that plays a key role in human coloration and appearance.

Nathalie Miebach and Yu-Wen Wu reveal, translate, and manifest data and its interpretation in their work, as they seek to understand the world for themselves and to inspire us to see a way forward. Both artists work at the intersection of art, science, whether in translating meteorological and COVID-19 data in weaving as Miebach does, or examining issues of displacement, assimilation, and identity as Wu does in large-scale drawings. The artists discussed their process in a virtual conversation in collaboration with Catalyst Conversations. 

In this recorded hybrid event, Broad’s 8th artist-in-residence, Emilio Vavarella introduced his work and what drew him to the Broad, followed by a brief audience Q&A. 

Broad hosted the in-person premiere of this online, collaborative exhibit, conceived by Concord-based artist Elizabeth Awalt to commemorate the American lives lost to COVID. Artists were invited to make at least 1,000 “marks” on any surface, in any medium and then post a public photo of the work using the hashtag #markinglivescovid19. As part of the exhibit Broad hosted a virtual conversation around the exhibit in collaboration with Catalyst Conversations, and Awalt hosted a virtual art-making tutorial for Broadies to contribute to the project.

Ben Denzer, Broad’s 7th artist-in-residence, spent a year exploring the Institute, speaking with scientists, and making large spiral bound artist books. In this talk, Ben discussed the term “artist book,” shared the context around his body of work, and presented the titles published while in residence at the Broad.

Poetry for Science started on Earth Day, 2017 when demonstrators around the world called to support and safeguard the scientific community, fact-based decision making, basic research and freedom of speech for scientists. Broadies were invited to read the poems in this exhibit, and participate in a virtual panel discussion in collaboration with Catalyst Conversations. 

Artists Michelle Samour and Maggie Stark create realms of wonder. They are masters of their respective craft, and use their materials to engage the viewer in ideas about permanence, transience, and the intersections between science, technology and the natural world. As part of the exhibit, Broad hosted a virtual conversation in collaboration with Catalyst Conversations. 

In celebration of its fifteenth anniversary, Broad hosted an exhibit of five artists from the program and a gallery talk in which the participating artists reflected on how their time at the Broad influenced their work. 

Emily Eveleth became fascinated with how artists and scientists generate ideas and sort through data while sharing ideas in a 2015 public talk at the Broad Institute. Results of Interpretation included paintings, drawings, and compositional explorations, sheets of drawings resembling story boards, a kind of formative research that usually never leaves the studio. 
 

This public conversation, in collaboration with Women@Broad and Catalyst Conversations, featured Jody Weber, Lucy Kim, Stacey Gabriel, and Ashlee Earl sharing how their own thinking and projects are influenced by the intersection of art and science.

Former Broad Institute artist-in-residence Guhapriya (Gupi) Ranganathan installed key artworks that represent her evolution during twelve years of interactions with Broadies, and presented a public talk in which she described the interaction between the work installed and her work generally.

Installation artist Debra Weisberg introduced her work and her physical, improvisational approach, followed by an informal dialogue with attendees in this public talk.

A film screening and panel discussion with Chris Engles, Jody Weber, Bina Venkataraman, and Lisa Mullins which explored the potential of art to address social challenges such as climate change, presented in collaboration with HUBweek 2017.

In a fascinating conversation presented by Catalyst Conversations as part of HUBweek 2016, Broad Institute founding core member, Todd Golub, and artist-in-residence Naoe Suzuki, explored ideation as a collaborative effort and the potential to enhance both the art and research.

Artist and scientist, Dan Jay described how he uses chromatography, a technique usually used for nucleic acid or protein purification, to make color abstractions. Participants were provided the opportunity to make their own sketches and process them in the laboratory.

Painter Emily Eveleth and Senior Software Engineer David Tester, explored the idea of beauty and how it resonates and overlaps in both of their worlds in this special event in collaboration with Catalyst Conversations for Hubweek 2015.