The Carl Sagan Association for the Communication of Science (CSA), in collaboration with the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, presents An Inescapable Perpective: Conversations in Science, a joint art exhibition between departments in the UBC Faculty of Science and local artists, running at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre from November 4-25th 2013.
The term “inescapable perspective” is a phrase used by the famous astronomer and science populariser Carl Sagan that describes the notion that viewing our Earth from the outside—as a part of the cosmos—allows us to gain a unique perspective of it and therefore ourselves in a broader context. This perspective is made possible by the scientific endeavours that led to space exploration and other discoveries. Sagan states:
Which aspects of our nature will prevail is uncertain, particularly when our visions and prospects are bound to one small part of the small planet Earth. But up there in the Cosmos an inescapable perspective awaits. National boundaries are not evident when we view the Earth from space. Fanatical ethnic or religious or national identifications are a little difficult to support when we see our Earth as a fragile blue crescent fading to become an inconspicuous point of light against the bastion and the citadel of the stars.
The exhibition opening will be Thursday November 7th from 5-7pm Dodson Room (#302), Irving K Barber Learning Centre, 1961 E Mall, UBC and is free and open to all. The opening will feature presentations from members of the four participating departments followed by a reception.
Presentations (5-6pm)
– “On the Art of Science Communication” by Susan Vickers, Ph.D Candidate and Department Demonstrator – Chemistry
– “On Instrument Making and the Physics of Music” by Dr. Chris Waltham, Professor, and Yang Lan, MSc Student – Physics & Astronomy
– “Botanical Perspectives” by Dr. Lacey Samuels, Professor and Department Head – Botany
– “The Big Simple: Rebooting the World With Collaborative Conceptual Art” by Dr. Kurt Grimm, Associate Professor – Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
For more information about the event, visit http://ubcsagan.org/an-inescapable-perspective
To RSVP: http://is.gd/aiprsvp