The Denison Museum will open its new exhibition, "The Art of Science," with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 9) in the museum in Burke Hall. The exhibit is open from 1 to 4 p.m. daily and will continue until Friday (March 23). "The Art of Science" explores the boundaries where the disciplines of art and science overlap. Films, lectures, workshops, and other special programs are scheduled throughout the exhibition period (see listings below). "The primary purpose of the show is to blur the boundaries between art and science, suggesting that nothing is as compartmentalized as the division of disciplines often makes things seem," says Alexandra Green, acting museum director and coordinator of the exhibition. "The exhibition demonstrates that learning about a wide variety of topics, including science, can be done in a museum context." This exhibition is sponsored by the McGregor Connections Initiative, the Denison Film Society, and the Cinema Department and is free and open to the public.

The exhibition is composed of several different sections. In the entrance room of the museum is a display of physics lecture demonstration apparatus, dating from the 19th century. Adjacent to the antique equipment lies a case of insects and crayfish (both classified under the phylum Arthropoda). This is the starting point for displays produced by the departments of biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology, which show how each discipline would study arthropods, often using techniques that create visually compelling images. Tying in with the Denison first-year program theme of Harmony and Dissonance, the museum's largest area exhibits a video, photographs, and an installation artwork that illustrate the concept of scale, ranging from the very large to the infinitesimally small. Large-scale and highly magnified images from the natural world, drawn from Nikon's annual photography competition, "Small World," represent the two extremes, as does the film, "Powers of 10," which continuously plays. An installation piece by artist, Stacy Levy, further demonstrates how the issue of scale can be reflected in objects that have less extreme dimensions.

Another space is devoted to how art historical research and scientific analysis can be combined to develop a more complete understanding of art. Two Denison students, sophomore Cara Lovati and junior Stephanie Rozman, have used a variety of scientific techniques and historical research in an attempt to date a European oil painting in the Denison collection and determine who painted it. Working with the Intermuseum Conservation Association and Newark Imaging Center, they had the painting X-rayed and scanned with infrared and ultra-violet light. Assistant Professors Laura Romano and Warren Hauk in the biology department have facilitated the analysis of the fibers of the painting's canvas and the wood stretcher on which it is mounted.

Participants in the exhibition include: Paul Andreadis, visiting assistant professor of biology, Kimberly Coplin, associate professor of physics, Thomas Greenslade, Jr., emeritus professor of physics at Kenyon College, Peter Kuhlman, associate professor of chemistry, Nestor Matthews, assistant professor of psychology, Kristina Mead, assistant professor of biology, Michael Mickelson, emeritus professor of physics, Thomas Schultz, professor of biology, and Wesley Walter, associate professor of physics. The four science departments have contributed materials to the exhibition.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Opening reception for The Denison Museum exhibition "The Art of Science"; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Friday (Feb 9), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. The museum will be closed during spring break Saturday- Sunday (March 10 -18). Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum shows the film "The Best Mind Since Einstein"; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday (Feb. 13), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum presents a lecture, "Denison's Physics Heritage: Old Stuff From Barney Science" by Dr. Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr.; 5 p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 21), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum presents a lecture, "Insect Aesthetics" by Thomas Schultz; 5 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 27), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum presents "Dissonance and Harmony: Arrivals and Departures" Exhibition Opening and Reception; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday (March 1), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Exhibit moves to Higley Hall on Friday (March 2). Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Observe the conservation process on Chinese rubbing at The Denison Museum; 1 to 4 p.m. or with an appointment. Monday- Thursday (March 1-May 30), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Museum hosts "Student Curators' Museum Talk" with Denison sophomore Cara Lovati and junior Stephanie Rozman; 5 to 5:40 p.m., Tuesday (March 6), Burke Hall Exhibition Space. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Film Society and Cinema Department show four films that explore the mechanics of the cinema; "New Improved Institutional Quality"; "Sky/Blue/Water/Light/Sign"; "Print Generation"; and "Raindance"; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (April 11), Slayter Auditorium. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6255 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575