Explorit: Fusing science and art

By Lisa Justice and Mike Wang-Belt

Explorit Science Center’s dynamic new exhibition, “Beautiful World: Science and Art,” will seek to explore the fusion between the realms of scientific discovery and artistic expression. From the symmetry of a leaf or seashell to the musical potential of rubber bands and plastic pipe, “Beautiful World” will offer visitors many opportunities to both investigate and create.

An exciting new component of this exhibition will transform our museum walls into an art gallery where local artists of all ages, amateur and professional, are invited to display and possibly sell their work. Explorit is accepting submissions for this “Motion Parallax” Art Showcase.

Motion parallax is a depth cue that describes the motion of objects as you are moving. The closer the object is to you the faster it moves past you compared to objects farther away from you. Where you choose to look determines your perspective of how fast the world is moving around you. The next time you travel, take a moment to gaze out and admire the thousands of perspectives moving past you.

As “Beautiful World” will challenge you to think critically about your perception of art and science, “Motion Parallax” invites you to share your perspective on when and where science and art intersect.

Consider submitting a photo, two- or three-dimensional wall hanging, a ceiling hanging or a free-standing piece such as a sculpture. Your work will be displayed during public hours, holiday public hours and on-site programs. It can even be put up for sale if you choose, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Explorit.

We request that the subject of your artistic piece be science and art, but your inspiration can come from anywhere! Express your feelings about something beautiful from the natural world or visually represent the concepts of inertia or gravity. The sky’s the limit!

We will have five display periods during the run of the “Beautiful World” exhibition from March 25 to Aug. 31. Everyone is invited to submit, but due to limited display space there are size limitations for each piece.

Explorit reserves the right to deny any artwork that is judged to be inappropriate or presents a hazard to the patrons of Explorit, and the right to exclude any piece based on the parameters of the exhibition. For full size requirements, sales and liability information and a submission form, email explorit@explorit.org.

The submission deadline for our first display period is coming up on Monday, March 18, so get inspired, get to work, and share your perspective on art and science.

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Explorit’s coming events:

* Explorit will be open for spring break from 1 to 5 p.m. March 25-April 7 with the debut of “Beautiful World: Science and Art.”

— Explorit Science Center is at 3141 Fifth St. For more information, call 530-756-0191 or visit www.explorit.org. You can also “like” Explorit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/explorit.fb or follow on Twitter at @ExploritScience.