The Summer School took place in Waterford and Lismore from 9-12 May. Addressing the theme Science and Art, our presenters and guests enjoyed three days of conferencing, culture, conversation and conviviality.
Many people may see the arts and sciences as two separate worlds, mutually exclusive, or even opposed. Sixty-five years ago, C.P. Snow claimed that a division existed between science and the arts that was a dangerous threat to Western society. Snow argued that it would be mutually beneficial to both camps to build bridges between the disciplines.
The speakers for the Summer School 2024 were Nuala Clarke, Dr Matthew Landrus, Una Sealy, Dr Fernando Corbalán, Carlos Garcia Pando, Roger Gaskell and Eoin Gill. Zoom in by clicking on the image; find out more about them by clicking on their names.
Programme
Thursday 9 May, Medieval Museum | Waterford
Prof Annraoi de Paor – Adventures in Engineering and Literature
Panel discussion about CP Snow’s Two Cultures at 65
Brian Trench, Journalist in conversation with Dr Jenny O’Connor, Lecturer in Humanities; Dr. Ida Milne, Historian; Eoin Gill, Director Festival
Friday 10 May, Dr. Mary Strangman Room1 City Hall | Waterford
11:00 – 13:00
Eoin Gill, Festival Director – Visual Communication and Science
Roger Gaskell, Historian – A peculiar facility of imagining: Robert Hooke’s Micrographia in context
This lecture has been considered Robert Hooke’s Micrographia (1665) in the context of other books published under the auspices of scientific societies around the same time. Robert Boyle’s New experiments in its first edition (1660) depended on its readers ability to form mental pictures and conduct thought experiments, but Boyle was persuaded by Hooke and others to include illustrations of his experiments in the sequel (1669). In contrast, Hooke was already overseeing the production of engravings ahead of the publication of Micrographia. While the subject matter of the Micrographia more obviously requires illustrations, it was not dissimilar to Boyle’s work its literary technology. READ MORE
Lunch Break
14:30 – 16:30
Dr Fernando Corbalán, Author – In Search for Beauty: The Common Territory of Art and Mathematics
Though in principle it appears there is no relation between Art and Mathematics, they have a common territory: the search for beauty.
During the presentation, areas in which both Art and Mathematics converge has been discussed, such as the golden ratio, symmetry or fractals; Historical moments in which Arts and Mathematics were developed at the same time (in the Renaissance or cubism); Mathematics themselves as an artistic object, or the use of geometry to create Mudejar art (a typical form of art in Spain).
The presentation has been also reviewing how mathematics influences advertising. In particular its influence in the design of something very characteristic of today’s world: logos. Finally we have been provided a mathematical point of view to enjoy new nuances in the work of some prominent artists such as Gaudí, Escher or Dalí.
Carlos Garcia Pando, 3DWIT Manager – Mathematics and Art from Leonardo to 3D printing
Carlos has worked in all aspects of the additive manufacturing and 3D printing since 2004. He has extensive hands-on experience in metals and polymers.
During his presentation, Carlos gave us a talk about how mathematics is closed to art, starting with Leonardo Da Vinci and his fabulous inventions.
Evening Break
20:00 – 21:00
Panel discussion about the contemporary arts scene in Waterford. Dymphna Nugent, WLR – in conversation with Eamon Mc Eneaney, retired Director of Waterford Museum of Treasure; Sean Corcoran, Visual artist (the Art Hand); Nicola Spendlove, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with WCCC
Saturday 11 May, Lismore Heritage Centre | Lismore
10:30 – 12:30
Dr Matthew Landrus, Historian – Leonardo and the laws of Nature, in paintings and mechanics
The talk has addressed Leonardo’s methods for applying his concepts of natural laws in paintings and engineering projects. Recognizing that a better knowledge of geometry and arithmetic would help him understand Nature and his visual and technical projects, Leonardo developed quantifiable methods for understanding arts such as painting, mechanics, engineering, architecture and natural philosophy. He also wrote books (in manuscript) on various subjects, starting with books on painting and mechanics. In the 1498 edition of his Divina proportione, Luca Pacioli praises Leonardo’s development of, “an inestimable work on local motion, percussion, weights and all the forces, that is, accidental weights, having already with great diligence finished a worthy book on painting and human movements.” For approximately thirty years, Leonardo studied the rules of Nature and geometry, and their principles in the arts of painting and mechanics, among other disciplines. The present lecture has examined this passion of his with the help of several examples.
Una Sealy, Visual artist – Ways of Seeing, where Art and Science connect
Una Sealy gave a fascinating talk on anatomy in art, continuing our theme of science and art. Una traced the complexity and attention paid to muscle, proportion, sinew and form and the journey of anatomical representation in art. A very lively and enlightening talk.
Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00
Nuala Clarke, Visual artist – Creativity – correlations between the work methods of an artist and a scientist
Nuala Clarke has been discussing the similarities and differences in the processes an artist and a scientist go through to do their work. Through many years of discussion with her brother Dr. David Clarke, an architect of future technology, she has seen how there is between them a similarity in the way a subject is initially approached, then a divergence in activity and discipline before a return to a position with quite similar conclusions. As always she has been related this to what she knows of Robert Boyle’s methods based on his accounts in his writing on colour.
Panel Discussion about the connections between science and art.
Eoin Gill, Festival Director in conversation with Nuala Clarke, Visual artist; Una Sealy, Visual artist; Dr Matthew Landrus, Historian
Break
16:30 – 18:30
Gooee O’Brien, Visual artist – Botanical Art Painting Workshop
The aim of the workshop was to learn how to draw and paint plants and flowers around you. No experience was required. The experience was a real success for our participants.
18:30 – 21:00
Garden party at Lismore Castle Gardens
Saturday 12 May
Private tour of Waterford Gallery of Art.
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This event is organised by CALMAST, South East Technological University’s STEM Engagement Centre in partnership with Lismore Heritage Centre.
In light of the cost of living crises the full festival ticket has been kept at a low price of €100. This includes coach transfer from Waterford – Lismore and return and Garden Part at Lismore Castle.
Previous Programmes
Click on the title to see the programme of the previous summer schools.
Partners and Sponsors
- Dr Mary Strangman room. Formerly known as “The Large Room” at City Hall Waterford it has been the site of many important events in the City’s history including the visit (2022) of the now King Charles and the conferring of the Freedom of the City to Gilbert O’Sullivan (2024). The name Large Room while conveying an accurate image of its size, does nothing to convey the grandeur or importance of the space so it was welcome that the room was named officially in March 2024 as the Dr Mary Strangman room.
Dr Mary Strangman was born in Carriganore House (now SETU’s West Campus) in 1872. She studied at the Royal College of Surgeons and qualified as a doctor becoming the second Irishwoman to gain a fellowship of RCSI in 1902. On her return to Waterford in 1903 she worked to improve public health and women’s rights. She was elected to Waterford City Corporation in 1912. Read more at Dictionary of Irish Biography ↩︎
