Because we’re worth it: in an age of austerity we ask how best to nurture art and science
Because we’re worth it: in an age of austerity we ask how best to nurture art and science, chaired by Sir John Tusa
Thursday 28 July, Wellcome Collection
To mark the Wellcome Trust 75th Anniversary, Sir John Tusa and guests explored the relationship between science and the arts in a live panel debate that looked at the role of the Government and wider society in supporting the two fields.
Chaired by Sir John Tusa, the panel included leading sociologist and author Richard Sennett, space scientist Monica Grady and choreographer Siobhan Davies.
Looking back at the traditional divide between the two fields, the panel considered how far we have moved on from C.P. Snow's devastating critique of Britain's divided intellectual culture. Examining different notions of value, and the relative importance that society places on achievements in each field, the panelists considered and discussed what the future holds for the relationship today. Is there still room for productive engagement today, and what should it be?
Helen & Kate Storey
Prefacing the debate was an overview of Primitive Streak, the Wellcome Trust-funded project created by fashion designer Helen Storey with her sister, developmental biologist, Kate Storey. Primitive Streak is a collection of 29 dresses that chronicles the first 1000 hours of human embryonic development.
Originally funded as part of the Wellcome Trust’s Sciart initiative, aimed at bringing together the sciences and the arts, the project demonstrates the scope that exists for collaboration between the two fields.This image gallery showcases a selection of the Primitive Streak designs and some of the scientific inspiration.
|
IMAGE 1 of 11
|
IMAGE 2 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 3 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 4 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 5 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 6 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 7 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 8 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 9 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 10 of 11
|
|
IMAGE 11 of 11
|
A short question and answer session with the pair was held to open the floor.
Speakers
Chair: Sir John Tusa, Leading British broadcaster and arts commentator, formerly MD of BBC World Service and MD of the Barbican.
“The Wellcome Trust has achieved extraordinary things in the last 75 years, and has transformed all our lives in the process. I was honoured to chair the Wellcome Trust 75th Anniversary debate, which raises essential questions about the relationship between the sciences and the arts, and their future in a civilized society.” Sir John Tusa.
Panelists:
Richard Sennett, Professor of Sociology, New York University and London School of Economics,
Monica Grady, Professor of Planetary and Space Science, The Open University,
Siobhan Davies, Founder, Siobhan Davies Dance and Studios.
Primitive Streak:
Helen Storey, Professor of Fashion and Science, London College of Fashion,
Kate Storey, Professor of Neural Development, University of Dundee.
Because we’re worth it
Thursday 28 July, 19.00–20.30
Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London. NW1 2BE
Image credit: Sir John Tusa chairs ‘Because we’re worth it’ at the Wellcome Collection. Credit: Wellcome Library.