Are Science and Art Really That Different?

Art and science seem like separate disciplines initially, but artists and scientists have long shared a bond. This is exemplified by naturalists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Robert Hooke, and Santiago Ramón y Cajal.

Despite the absence of imaging technologies, these pioneers meticulously depicted science by manually drawing their observations. However, with the Enlightenment's emphasis on formalized scientific methodologies, science and art drifted apart and were seen as separate disciplines. During the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a concerted effort to formalize the scientific method, leading to a gradual separation between science and art. While a dedication to reason and knowledge marked this period, the boundaries of what constituted 'science' were not firmly established until the late 19th century.

Consequently, scientists during this era were often multi-faceted and simultaneously explorers, philosophers, poets, doctors, and politicians. Science became a fashionable pursuit among the educated elite, with explorers like James Hutton and Charles Darwin contributing to geological and evolutionary studies, respectively.

Drawings by Cayal, Hook, and da Vinci. Copyright information: These images are in the public domain.

In recent years, the appreciation for the connection between science and art has revived. Both share a common goal: dissecting complex concepts, understanding individual components, and communicating intricate relationships.

The multi-dimensional thinking and language of art have created a whole field that appreciates the art of science, called science art. In this blog, we examine how scientific image processing software can be used by creatives to create and inspire their work.

Scientific Art Examples

In addition to the well-known naturalists Leonardo da Vinci, Robert Hooke, and Santiago Ramón y Cajal, historic science art examples include Blaschka's glass models and Emperor Joseph II's anatomical wax sculptures. But also contemporary artists further expand these boundaries with projects like scientific needleworks by Needles&Neurons, sculpting biology in wood by NeuroWoodWorks, Bryan Welm's Metal Bacteriophage Sculpture, and Elisabeth Kugler's science art prints and drawings. All these endeavours blend scientific exploration with artistic expression, offering fresh perspectives on science.

Images of the science artworks by Needles&Neurons and Elisabeth Kugler.

The Significance of Aesthetic Design in Scientific Art

Aesthetic design in science art is underscored by its adherence to fundamental design principles like balance, contrast, and harmony. Incorporating the Gestalt principle, scientific art seeks to create visually coherent and rounded works that are more than the sum of their parts. The Gestalt principle allows the viewer to comprehend and engage with the content.

Aesthetics not only plays a pivotal role in understanding visuals but also influences the artwork's emotional response and overall impact on the viewer. Visual hierarchy, legibility, and accessibility are critical to communicating scientific concepts effectively to diverse audiences. The emotional impact of scientific art is also achieved by thoughtful consideration of colour, composition, and symbolism.

Design Tools for Scientific and Creative Image Processing

At Zeeks, we focus on visual data analysis and communication - these are some design tools we use:

• Fiji: Fiji is a powerful open-source platform for scientific image analysis.

• Python: Python is a versatile and easy-to-code programming language with data analysis, data visualization, and artificial intelligence applications.

• Matlab: Matlab is a high-level programming language commonly used for numerical computing and data visualization.

• Inkscape: Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor for scalable graphics such as illustrations, logos, and diagrams.

• Canva: Canva is an online graphic design platform that offers a wide range of customizable templates and tools for creating professional-looking designs.

• Adobe InDesign: Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software graphic designers and publishers use to create media layouts such as magazines, brochures, and eBooks.

• Krita: Krita is a free and open-source digital painting software designed for artists, illustrators, and designers, offering a wide range of brushes and tools for digital artwork.

Conclusion

Science and art overlap much more than they appear at the first glance. Working across fields allows for new inspiration and insights.

At Zeeks, we love to merge science and art. We work with scientists and artists worldwide to get our clients the best data analysis and visualization.

If you want a free guide to image analysis resources, click here.

If you want to learn more about biomedical image analysis, then click here.