Cecilia Andersson - Photographer

2001/06/01 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Azokak, biltzarrak

“When the problem of foot and mouth disease arose in England, the image seen in most newspapers was virus. They did it on computer. It was very nice and attractive. Seeing the image, people couldn’t understand how beautiful things could produce this kind of disease.” With this example, Cecilia wanted to express that science needs art.

Science is getting closer to everyone's everyday life. Therefore, it is important to immerse yourself in activities of scientific participation from a personal point of view. In your case the area to work is art.

The Swedish artist follows his usual path in photography, but has also tried other supports. Today, for example, he is immersed in an artistic project that reflects on the trade in genetics. It is a work on a website that would allow to market the physical characteristics of any person. The project, entitled www.dnagarden.com, aims to address two current issues, genetics and the internet.

Cecilia was in a biochemistry lab to see how scientists work. In addition, he has carried out studies on the design of nature and, from this type of experience, he has invented the intermediate language of some photographic series. These photographs have not been taken with negatives, but plant fragments have been placed in the amplifier. This project considers photography as a means of “reproduction”.

Faced with the question of what art offers science, Cecilia gives us a new point of view. “This question may not be raised. The process of making art itself does not have to be justified.” However, this does not mean that art does not play a useful role for science.

“Science has serious social problems with its image.” This problem is also reflected in the dissemination and it is necessary to a greater or lesser extent the art of collaborating in this task. Often the image is essential to explain the concepts of science. Other times simply to illustrate. The example is the foot and mouth disease virus.

On the other hand, the approach of art serves to define the function of new technologies. If the ultimate goal of science is to increase wisdom, many of the proposals to use it come from art. “It’s clear. We must participate in science because it is an important component of society.”