Meeting Abstract
Human induced global change has triggered the sixth major extinction event on earth with profound consequences for humans and other species. To make progress towards protecting and effectively managing species and their complicated interactions, we need the support of a science literate public. Creating science inspired art is a useful strategy to connect people to difficult concepts at an emotional level and potentially increases public understanding of the current anthropogenic biodiversity crisis. Visual art can create a public space for dialogue around these difficult issues through the tools of narrative and powerful imagery. In my ecological work, I examine how symbioses could shape plant species’ responses to climate change by studying the performance of iconic Joshua trees and their symbionts along a climate gradient, using both laboratory and field methods. With the results from this research I create multimedia art to communicate the concepts and findings of my science research to the public. Here I describe a variety of partnerships and collaborations that I have formed across art and science, discuss the benefits and tradeoffs, and make suggestions for successful approaches to this kind of interdisciplinary work.
