exploringscientificgesturesthroughcardboardstructures

Exploring Scientific Gestures through Cardboard Structures

In the realm of scientific exploration, innovation often stems from the unlikeliest of sources. One such avenue of inspiration has been found in the use of cardboard structures. This intriguing collaboration between scientists and humble cardboard has led to a fascinating world of discovery, demonstrating the boundless ingenuity of the human mind.

At first glance, cardboard might seem unassuming and perhaps even inconsequential in the grand scheme of scientific progress. Yet, when coupled with creative minds, it transforms into a medium of exploration that transcends its basic form. I have embarked with scientists on a creative journey, designing intricate cardboard structures that mirror complex scientific phenomena. These structures serve as tangible, visual representations of abstract concepts, enabling researchers to communicate intricate ideas in a universally understandable manner. In the making of cardboard structures we set out to go beyond mere visual representation it extended into the realm of hands-on experimentation. Learning through observing and touching.

Whilst observing the work undertaken in the laboratory I created a specific body of work. I began by closely observing the scientists explaining their processes, drawing inspiration from the intricacies of human hand movements undertaken by demonstrators in the role of science communication. This tangible interaction with cardboard brought forth an intuitive understanding of scientific concepts that might otherwise remain confined to complex equations and theories. The cardboard structures I created were more than static models; they became dynamic representations of articulation. We introduced basic concepts of bio mechanics, considering the range of motion, and joint limitations. Geometry played a pivotal role in this endeavor. Crafting shapes that mirrored hand gestures, we engaged with angular measurements, spatial relationships, and symmetry. By manipulating these cardboard shapes, we illustrated geometric transformations, connecting the abstract world of mathematics to tangible creations.

The cardboard structures were often painted or marked to visually convey the relevant elements of the scientific concept. Color-coded sections, labels, and symbols aid in highlighting crucial features and facilitate better understanding. The visual cues enhanced the engagement of learners and made the abstract ideas more accessible. Interactive Learning is key. One of the key advantages of this method is its interactive nature. The cardboard structures act as hands-on teaching tools, encouraging participants to manipulate the structures themselves. By physically engaging with the structures, learners gain a deeper comprehension of the scientific concept, as the connection between the hand movements and the underlying principles becomes more understandable. As with any creative endeavor, refinement is an ongoing process. By sharing the work I gathered feedback from participants and peers, seeking ways to improve the clarity and effectiveness of the cardboard structures. This iterative approach ensures that the final product is not only scientifically accurate but also optimally engaging.

The experiment also delved into the realm of materials science. Selecting the right cardboard thickness and flexibility alongside the materials used to create the joints. This allowed us to understand how structural integrity and flexibility are essential for proper movement. This practical application of materials science deepened our appreciation for the balance between strength and flexibility in biological structures. We explored the principles of feedback and control systems. By introducing simple mechanisms to alter the cardboard structures motion, we tackled the intricacies of closed-loop control systems, mirroring the body's ability to adjust movements based on sensory feedback. We were able to feel scientific concepts.

The combination of scientific curiosity and cardboard ingenuity has given rise to a world of exploration that transcends the boundaries of traditional methodologies. Using cardboard structures, we unveiled the hidden and revealed the elegance of complex theories with simple gestures. These tangible representations foster a deeper understanding of intricate scientific concepts, engaging scientists, researchers, and students. Cardboard can be used to simulate and study phenomena that are otherwise inaccessible due to scale, danger, or complexity. Cardboard offers a safe, cheap, and interactive platform for scientists to test hypotheses, refine theories, and educate aspiring minds. As we continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, it’s important not to forget that even the most unassuming materials can serve as powerful catalysts for discovery.

relentlesslyrelentless

Experiments with the 3D printer have yielded some new work where straight lines enclose the structures – sometimes intersecting sometimes containing. Where the two structural boundaries interface some interesting shapes are created. Day one of work with students on the synthetic anatomy module – some excellent philosophical questions emerged from the bridge building session – I feel that it’s going to be a good one this year. Managed to see  Rebel Rebel - the show at the Barbican Curve by Soheila Sokhanvari is so considered. The overall design is impressive with a couple of astounding objects that present moving images in intriguing ways. Onto screens - Emancipation - a relentlessly 2D storyline. The Pale Blue Eye – so relentlessly dull that I gave up after 20 minutes! The Old Way – was relentlessly obvious.

dualityofwork

The folding has taken a new twist – focusing on duality and creating several pieces that make interesting noises whilst being articulated. There has been a lot of ‘art looking’ this year - rethinking some of the work I saw at Venice Biennale and Documenta15 after reviewing photographs last night.  Onto music - I saw Loula Yorke playing some extraordinary electronics to a lovely crowd in what was a thoughtful evening at Spill Think Tank. Onto screens – Three Thousand years of Solitude was slow, which really didn’t change but when buying into it enabled the mind to flow with ideas and a rich conversation ensued. The Resort was a well written and clever series, although the last episode felt rushed and if you watch it, you will never go down a small hole underground, whatever the reason.

foldfoldedfold

Working on the latest iteration of folded structures that explore the processes around receptor pharmacology. Thinking about the physical possibilities of working with affordance forces, multiple connections, and cause and effect. How to make the structure out of a single sheet of material, eventually creating a template that could be emailed. Meanwhile screens – Five days at Memorial is a relentless story of misguided misery. Words on Bathroom walls is a relentless story of mental health. Funny Pages is a relentless tale of the oddness of the teenage search for independence. Stay the night is a relentless tale of opposites attract and has a beautifully scripted conversation in a bar about burgers that is not about burgers.

structureplusmotif

working on some articulated structures – I’ve been focusing on structure, but visual motifs could also be a potential way to explore and construct connections. The circles are completed when the structures are in a particular place, the various articulated panels must be manipulated into specific positions. Onto screens – The Premise – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10731840/ a truly mind-blowing series full of excellent ideas. The Butt Plug episode is a wild ride. Finally finished Better Call Saul, the sad and wistful ending was truly tragic as many individuals from the past returned to give or enable testimony, joining dots and crossing t's.

floatingfoldingfloating

Continuing to explore the shapes created through the manipulation of the structures using film. Some ‘breathing in’ as part of this month of birthday celebrations. A truly beautiful exhibition at PRIMEYARC http://originalprojects.co.uk/ The art of roller skating by Debbie Besford has great photographs and memorabilia - there is even a skating rink in the space. Testament at Goldsmith's was a little cluttered - but highlights include Jeremy Deller’s stark proposals for monuments, Elizabeth Price's piece Rendered for an unspecified statue, a dark cloth inspired by her Catholic faith and Mark Wallinger's film which centered on the mediocre mound at Marble Arch juxtaposed with random religious believers at speaker’s corner talking at each other. The narrative around Ryan Gander’s breathing cat was fascinating, at first, I thought it a spoof about the role of bureaucratic systems in education but then it was so believable that it could be nothing but real. An evening at Dance East – Mark Bruce – phantoms - the first dance accompanied by Jack White’s music was stunningly arresting, then it was followed by traditional songs accompanied by tight dancing performed within a set of almost miniature tableaux’s the first half of which was oddly satisfying as I prefer my dance to be more abstract. Onto screens – I so enjoyed the roller coaster ride that was Liquorice Pizza, it was so witty and its many many observations on our culture were beautifully crafted. Pieces of me unraveled in a disturbingly clever way.

watchingandthinkingintwoplaces

a busy week – continuing to work on mapping the articulated structures – this time creating spaces rather than focusing on lines. I had a fascinating day this Wednesday – the morning with BSc Science communication students at Kings, London talking about my practice within a sci-art context. My hybrid multi-disciplinary practice fits well within an organisation that values thinking at the edges, where questions and process are valued above defined outcomes.  A mini workshop within the talk looked at how to communicate ideas by understanding the views of others and what they bring to the conversation. In the afternoon I was at artstation working with year 11 pupils from Saxmundham, Suffolk creating bookworks that explore, document, celebrate their lives. Onto screens – Dog and The Eyes of Tammy Faye were both a little too patriotic for my taste, although the costumes of the tele evangelist was wonderfully odd, Turning Red had some good animation, but the storyline had some flaws. Deep into F1 season 4 – insane, just insane.  

spacesbuildingspaces

Working to develop the roof plate project - started to explore the possibility of mapping the structures – when manipulating the form the shapes created reveal the internal stresses and connections within the structure. Joining the individual elements with angles delivers unexpected shapes.

siteformspecific

I have some images of work in a site-specific on-line exhibition at The Cut Arts Centre in Halesworth. http://newcut.org/sitespecific it's an Interesting exhibition and my work sits alongside a range of excellent people with some great work http://newcut.org/sitespecific/les-bicknell

meanwhile back in my studio I've been thinking about the fold, concealment, duality and the creation of narrative. The images are close-ups of the 17 new bookworks created for the upcoming Station show. The works are conceived as 3D objects, although to make the work a number of rules were followed, the main one being that all forms can be folded to 2D.

Although the actual work is abstract there are a number of narratives to be created in the mind of the viewer if the idea of the body and the book are considered, alongside the interrelationships between shape, structure and form in general.

layeredstructures

working on new films of the new structures - these stills of the tests - at the moment there is a sense of the magician in the clips - onto some entertainment - Normal People was lovely and had a well crafted script that outlined the characters beautifully.  Extraction - was quite tedious, how many times do you need to see heads exploding? The final episodes of Better Call Saul season 5 were tremendous and leave everything open for season 6. SS GB was what it was when alternative histories take over - big on period detail, especially the sets, although I did recognise the foyer of the old Central College of the Arts Building and USAF Bentwaters which kept taking me out of the scenes. Fantasy Island has to be the most confusing film ever - so much so that it becomes a great watch in the company of like minded people. There are moments of laugh out loud hilarity from Steve Coogan in Greed and the meta moments of actual celebrities playing themselves playing a version of them being paid to attend a party at a party is head swivelling - it's Carry On the Big Short.

foldedelastic

A couple of days of developing some existing structures. They are being rethought with the addition of elastic (I knew that the materials bought in New York 5 years ago would come in useful!!!) combining these materials of different qualities - the rubber and elastic explores the tension within the tessellated shapes, makes the pieces fix themselves into 3D shapes. Controlling the action of the pieces 'popping' into place within the hand is very satisfying, one can feel the act of tension and release, fold and revelation. meanwhile Spencer Confidential is one long fight scene which is dull and tedious, Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is one long fight scene but witty and intelligent.   

articulatedtests

The break has given some time to reflect on the recent structural pieces I've been working on. Documenting them through filming enables another kind of understanding away from the haptic. 

The Lighthouse was all look at how odd we can make something and don't we know it but worth it for the soundtrack. Adam Driver was worth watching in The Report, a depressing indictment that people and whole governments can get away with bad things. Driver appeared to be acting when doing nothing in the procedural elements of the film. Uncut Gems is one long shouting experience. Long Shot is  okay-ish but just not quite funny enough and I know complaining about gross out issues in a Seth Rogan film is to miss the point but.....

responsibilityandrespect

work on the structures for Goldlay Square progresses - the choices are now finding locations within the plan - I love the action of positioning - working within the digital space - moving something not yet made within a space that does not exist which will impact on people's lives - notions of responsibility and respect are running high today.

drawingtomakesenseoftheworld

more drawings in an attempt to rethink or plan the nets - added the image of book structures so the idea of maybe not making sense in terms of being built in the mind could be a part of the work. As ever the tangram is a way of thinking out this puzzle part of the project.