The Science of Sound - Spring 2022
What do a pipe organ and a volcano have in common? Magma vibrates as it moves through a volcano just like air vibrates in a pipe organ to make sound! Inspired by organist Cameron Carpenter, OSA is investigating the shapes and sizes of sound waves, from the vibrations of musical instruments to tremors in the Earth and the oscillations of stars. Read about our interactive exhibit in conjunction with Cameron Carpenter's performance at Northrop on Feb. 22 to learn more! |
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Climate Change and Human Migration - Fall 2020
Climate change is already affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Inspired by GALLIM’s production of BOAT, we've been collecting data and stories regarding climate migrants and refugees. BOAT is centered on the urgency of refugees searching for a place to call home, and the necessity of community support for survival.
The data and stories we’ve collected show how the complex relationships between people and the changing climate are playing out around the world, including here in Minnesota. Throughout them all, we’ve found a common thread of community, and the need for people to support and depend on one another in times of change. If we want to mitigate the human and environmental impacts of climate change in the future, scientists, politicians, and everyday people are going to need to work together for the good of our global community. |
Gemology: The Beautiful Science of Gemstones - Spring 2020
Why do we love gemstones? They're beautiful, durable, and rare. Inspired by Ballet West's production of Jewels, OSA is taking a closer look at three of the world's most recognizable gemstones: ruby, emerald, and diamond. We're investigating these minerals' remarkable properties by building human-sized models of their atomic structures, showcasing the symmetry and patterns that give gemstones their brilliance and resilience. The giant mineral models are currently on display in Tate Hall.
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Science and Art Discussion Series - Fall 2019OSA was excited to collaborate with local emerging artist Zoë Koenig for a series of discussions centered on the intersection of science and art. Discussions delved into the role of art in responding to and coping with climate change and the uncertainties of our rapidly changing world. We also had the opportunity to discuss excerpts of Zoë's work in progress, Cloud Cover, which explores the psychological impact of climate change through movement. This discussion series brought artists and scientists together to think about how climate change affects us all on a personal as well as societal level, and how the scientific information at the heart of the climate crisis can be explored and communicated in diverse ways.
OSA looks forward to continued collaboration with Zoë and Brenna Moser, artistic director of Analog Dance Works, as they both develop works rooted in environmental science. |
Augmented Reality Sandbox - Fall 2018/Spring 2019How do we represent a 3D world in 2D images? Our augmented reality sandbox reads the topography of the sand and creates a topographic map that updates as the landscape changes, showing relationships between 3D landforms and their representation on 2D maps. The sandbox is getting a facelift and will be donated to the UMN Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences as a teaching and outreach tool.
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Dance in a Digital World - Fall 2018 |
This project was inspired by Pixel, a production by Compagnie Kafig that includes dancers interacting with projected 3D environments, exploring the relationships between 2D and 3D space and the use of digital technology in dance.
Seismic Signals and Digital Dance
Did you know the same technology scientists use to learn about earthquakes can be used to capture the movements of a dancer in 3D? We used a cell phone and computer code from a seismometer to explore how digital technology is helping dancers visualize and share the way they move. |
Homology of Dance - Spring 2018 Homologous bones are bones that can be traced back our last common ancestor even though they have been modified by evolution to serve different functions, such as walking, swimming, or flying, in different animals. This means that when a dancer copies the movements of an animal, the flap of a bird's wings, for example, he or she is using the same bones that birds use to fly. Looking at homologous bones can help us understand how our own bodies move.
This exhibit was inspired by the Alonzo King LINES Ballet's production Biophony, which came to Northrop in the spring of 2018. In this production, dancers mimic animal movements and perform to a soundtrack of recorded nature sounds, including bird calls, insect chirps, and ocean waves. This exhibit explores the physiological parallels between the dancers and the animals they imitate by drawing on scientific principles used in the fields of biology and paleontology. |
<<< Homology of Dance exhibit on display in Walter Library Spring 2020 |