Dr Simon Park Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey
Creative Collaborations with Superorganisms Thursday 25 June, 2009 6pm - 7pm University College London Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT Garwood Lecture Theatre, South Wing

Abstract Microorganisms are, and always have been, the dominant form of life on Earth and as such offer an unprecedented conceptual palette for artists. However, because of our innate prejudice towards the macroscopic, the sublime and aesthetic nature of the microbiological world is often overlooked. Cross-disciplinary projects involving both scientists and artists are becoming increasingly common and recently the microbe is being recognised as an important medium for art. In this talk Simon Park will discussing how collaborations between artists, scientists, and even the microorganisms themselves, are at last starting to reveal the sublime nature of the microbial world to a wider audience.

Biography: Dr Simon Park is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey and teaches Bacteriology and Molecular Biology. His activities, and practice beyond scientific research, are driven by the misconception that microbiological life is primitive and always detrimental and his conviction is that collaborations with artists can lead to powerful concepts through which the true and sublime nature of the microbial world can be communicated in ways that transcends the usual forums offered by newspaper headlines and popular science magazines.

Entrance is free, all welcome.

Gordana Novakovic Tesla Convener www.gordananovakovic.com

Getting to UCL: The nearest Tube stations are Euston Square and Warren Street. For full details, see http://www.ucl.ac.uk/about-ucl/location/public-transport

How to find the Garwood Lecture Theatre: Once you enter the main gate of UCL in Gower Street, you will face the Portico in the UCL quadrangle courtyard. Please take the right hand side diagonal and walk to the right corner of the building. You will see the brass tablet indicating South Wing. Enter the second entrance door at the South Wing, and you will find the Garwood Lecture Theatre on the first floor. There will be signs from the entrance that will help you to find the exact location easily. You may also consult the UCL maps at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/about-ucl/location/maps