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Letter: Practical art

Published 14 July 2010

From Ian Barr, Healthcare and Bioscience iNet

In your special report on collaborations between art and science, David S. Berman writes that “a successful art-science work… should impact on people in a direct way, with a sensory component that moves them” (8 May, p 43).

Towards what should it move these people? To a greater understanding of a scientific concept? To marvel at the skill of the artist? No, the true value of art-science collaborations is that they bring about innovation which will result in new products and services.

In the field of healthcare, this has already been happening: Healthcare and Bioscience iNet runs an annual “Where Art Meets Science” competition across the UK’s East Midlands, and the entries have sparked discussions between academics, innovators and charity representatives. Crucially, the real collaborations begin when the exhibits have been taken down.

Nottingham, UK

Issue no. 2769 published 17 July 2010

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