STRAIGHT TALK

Is There A Mother Of SciArt?
An interview with Cynthia Pannucci, founder of ASCI

By Gayil Nalls, guest contributor​

For most of the 20th century, art and science were thought of as two fields that did not share common areas of inquiry and creativity. However, the physical nature of reality and that of human perception were never meant to be divided. Over the last 50 years - in order to pursue both aesthetic and scientific dimensions of understanding - science-art has become a stronger force than ever before, touted by Harvard and other institutions as the catalyst for innovation. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
 
This new synthesis - a bit of a modern renaissance - has brought meaningful ideas from art, science, and technology back into union, facilitated by pioneering artists and scientists who shared interests and mental processes. The combined two cultures - referred to by a handful of like-sounding names including "SciArt," "artsci," and "artscience" - continues to expand simply based on the vast number of enthusiastic people who have recognized, promoted, and advocated for the cross-pollination of these disciplines. We are now enjoying the benefits of their passion and hard work.
 
Although the SciArt field has several fathers, it can be argued that Cynthia Pannucci is the mother who nurtured many careers and helped establish “SciArt” as an international field. This year marks 30 years since Pannucci, an artist herself, founded Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. (ASCI), pulling together an ever-growing group of pioneering creators integrating art, science, and technology. ASCI’s programming has included speaker series, panels, symposiums, the world’s first Cyber Fair, and international group exhibitions on subjects from the Ocean and Food to the Brain and the Cosmos. The ASCI website (www.asci.org) has not only provided the SciArt community with important information and opportunities, it has provided inspiration. By including profiles of SciArt creators and announcing their projects and exhibitions - it is now a valuable contextual record of how the field has developed.
 
Which raises the question - ​Is she the mother of SciArt?
 
Below is an interview with Cynthia Pannucci, artist, curator, and founder-director of Art & Science Collaborations, Inc.(ASCI).

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Gayil Nalls, Ph.D. is a New York based interdisciplinary artist and theorist working at the forefront of science-art practices. 
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