Welling School - a specialist arts college - London Borough of Bexley 2002-2004
Resident Artist and facilitator:
As lead artist, Seran was the first artist to come into the school, when it had been awarded arts status, (A pilot government initiative to change comprehensives into specialist learning environments).
Seran delivered a science/art commission and instigated new art projects working with staff from art and science. As well as running projects to enhance the art departments’ vision Seran instigated cross curricular learning through the visual process which had been pioneered with scientists in former projects.
The Commission ‘Our School’:
The commission was entitled ‘Our School’ and was designed to break down barriers towards arts status by its need for participation with staff and students across all subject areas. ‘Our School’’ involved the participation of 450 students, helping as if in a forensic operation, all subject area environments were investigated with children from science acting as assistants and investigators. They had to select samples from the teaching environment during the lesson, these were analysed under the Confocal Laser Microscope at Southampton General Hospital. Microscope digital images (manipulated in colour) of 15 selected samples, a selection of 3D images and documentation involving a framed display of all the original examples collected were installed back in the Science Block as a permanent exhibition. Here you can view the sample in relation to the science/art image produced. This gave students ownership, access to a professional exhibition as well as an awareness of science.
Liquid Crystal Murals – heat sensitive
5 murals were applied direct on to the walls of the Science block approx 1x1.5 meters each. Each mural was science based inspired from images from science relating to the human body. The murals were painted so that there were large areas that Liquid Crystals could be applied on to The Liquid Crystals changed colour when touched, this way was a great success with all the children eager to touch and experience the effect of Liquid crystals themselves, with a result of many questions asked into what they are and how they work. Allowing the children to be able to interact and touch the murals meant an immediate feeling of ownership and positive relationship to the changed environment took place.
Leverhulme trust Award – 2001-2002
Artist-in-Residence-School of Biological Sciences-University of Southampton
The Leverhulme Trust award enabled research with Scientists. Neuroscience featured as the primary research. This took the form of observing presentations, internal research meetings, and observations of technology used for Neuroscience and general science.
The Confocal Laser Microscope became a fascination for images that reveal structures of an invisible world. The concepts behind the usage and necessity of this technology became paramount for new ideas in her work.
The investigations into Neuroscience influenced new work in technology, paintings, light sculptures and installations. The pieces reveal the complex structure of the brain and are put together from research of the concept and a wish to recreate a fascinating moment in the brain, of what is occurring to in order for us to Think, Remember and Do. The work is not totally true to the science but investigates concepts and images produced from their research.
Seran's use of colour interaction and movement has helped science concepts to be experienced which are not visually accessible in this field.
* see paintings- ‘Ode to dendrite-1’ and ‘Kaleidoscope of the Brain’