Author Archives: cicada

Art at AAAS: Science and Spirituality

Posted on March 8, 2007 by cicada

Some Nights hemlock, acrylic, and crayon Charlie Brouwer AAAS News Release This is beyond ironic. I walked right past this exhibit inside the AAAS (American Association for the Advancment of Science) headquarters in DC this afternoon. I didn’t even know … Continue reading →

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Particle art

Posted on March 5, 2007 by cicada

In Search of Meaning #5; In Search of Meaning #1 Acrylic Lylie Fisher Like art, particle physics deals with the invisible. One portrays emotional and spiritual experiences; the other studies unseen matter and energy. Science is the voice of the … Continue reading →

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Faith as evolutionary adaptation

Posted on March 4, 2007 by cicada

Darwin’s God, by Robin Marantz Henig I thought I’d hit my biology vs. religion saturation point some time ago, but today’s NYT Magazine has an eclectic, lengthy article on the biology of belief that is worth reading. The little details … Continue reading →

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You don’t always like what you want

Posted on March 4, 2007 by cicada

ScienceDaily: Why ‘Wanting’ And ‘Liking’ Something Simultaneously Is Overwhelming “Sometimes a brain will like the rewards it wants. But other times it just wants them.” – Kent Berridge I once tried to explain to my physiology students that the desire … Continue reading →

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Oops! (recent animal-themed art)

Posted on March 3, 2007 by cicada

Electron Micrograph Volker Steger Oops! Poor invertebrates. Volker Steger’s Insects-Meet-Windshield Micrographs (via Boing Boing). Check out Steger’s entire website of photography (lots of science!) here. I was so impressed, I ordered his book, Buzz. Two more interesting links: The Scientist … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Photography | 1 Comment

Poems of the week: rediscovered Plath; Keats’ worst poem ever

Posted on March 2, 2007 by cicada

Anna Journey, a VCU graduate student, recently discovered a previously unpublished poem by Sylvia Plath. That venerable arbiter of literary taste, Jane Magazine, calls it “a gorgeous sonnet about feeling blah”. If you’ve read AS Byatt’s Possession (or seen its … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 2 Comments

Not Pleistocene, Not a Skeleton

Posted on March 2, 2007 by cicada

Pleistocene Skeleton Steel, wax, marble dust, and acrylic Nancy Graves, 1970 Smithsonian Museum of American Art Last fall I visited the newly renovated Smithsonian Museum of American Art. One of my favorite pieces was this sculpture by Nancy Graves. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Museum Lust, Science | 4 Comments

Le Grand Content

Posted on February 28, 2007 by cicada

I had a little phone interview today, and as most interviews do, it made me wonder “what the heck have I been doing with my life?” My career trajectory seems plausible – until I have to articulate it. Then I … Continue reading →

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Amazing, Rare Things; Amazing, Rare Man

Posted on February 28, 2007 by cicada

Common or ‘spectacled’ caiman and South American false coral snake Maria Sibylla Merian, c.1705-10 The Royal Collection: Amazing Rare Things There is a common denominator that links all these artists. It is the profound joy that all feel who observe … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Film, Video & Music, Museum Lust, Science, Wonder Cabinets | 1 Comment

Nature Conservancy Photo Awards 2006

Posted on February 27, 2007 by cicada

Peacock Mantis Shrimp (detail) Joseph Napolitano The Nature Conservancy ran a photography contest until the end of December and just announced the winners last week. The “Best Nature Photo” winner was Joseph Napolitano with this technicolor invertebrate. Wow, biology is … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Photography | 1 Comment