Science and art make the perfect partnership – University of Reading
02 March 2005
An innovative series of workshops that will help people understand complex science through the power of art has been organised by The University of Reading. 'Seeing and feeling' is a two-day hands-on workshop where participants will use clay to make sculptures and learn about cataracts at the same time. The first workshop will take place at The University of Reading's Museum of English Rural Life on Saturday 12 March and Saturday 19 March. The second workshop will take place at Wolfson College, Oxford, on Saturday 30 April and Saturday 7 May. The workshops have been organised by ceramic artist Margaret O'Rorke (1) and Professor James Crabbe (2), Head of the School of Animal and Microbial Sciences at The University of Reading and Supernumerary Fellow at Wolfson College. "These workshops promise to be an entertaining and educative experience," said Professor Crabbe. "We will be giving illustrated lectures and holding clay sessions using fine porcelain with other materials, which will be high-fired and translucent. This will demonstrate the varied transmission of light and develop awareness and understanding of cataract, the largest cause of blindness in the world. "Each participant will be able to keep the work they have made and fired during the workshops, as well as contributing pieces to a group project to create a porcelain light sculpture which we hope to assemble to accompany a video recording of the project for exhibition." The 'Seeing and Feeling' project is supported by The Wellcome Trust SciArt programme, which provides a unique opportunity for scientists and artists to research in collaboration, and develop projects likely to result in innovative public engagement. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to come to the workshops. No qualifications or experience are needed, all materials and equipment will be provided. For more information and to register for the workshops, please contact: NCBE, The University of Reading, telephone 0118 987 3743. End Notes for editors (1) Margaret O'Rorke is a former Visiting Creative Arts Fellow of Wolfson College who creates translucent porcelain light sculptures. She has exhibited and run workshops both at home and abroad. http://www.castlight.co.uk (2) Professor James Crabbe has researched extensively on cataracts and the eye. For more information about his work, please visit http://www.ams.rdg.ac.uk/DMCB/wolfson For media enquiries only, please contact Craig Hillsley, press officer, The University of Reading Tel: 0118 378 7388 Email: c.hillsley@rdg.ac.uk