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Abstract:
Imagining Science: Art, Science, and Social Change

Edited by Sean Caulfield and Timothy Caulfield
THE SURPRISING LINKS BETWEEN ART AND SCIENCE ...

INNOVATIVE NEW BOOK EMPLOYS ART TO EXPLORE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND CONTROVERSIAL SOCIAL ISSUES

"There is no use trying," said Alice, "one can't believe impossible things."
--Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

FEATURE IDEA: New book Uses Bio-Art to Tackle Biotechnology

Posted on August 25th, 2009

Art is directly linked to science.
Art plays a vital role in the advancement of science.
Art affects social and public policy.

These statements might raise some eyebrows and invite skepticism. They should, and they should also invite exploration.

Brothers Tim and Sean Caulfield have collaborated with scientists, artists and social commentators to help everyone ‘see' science through art, and come to understand through visual and literary description how art dramatically affects -- and is linked to -- some of the world's most pressing issues. Their new book, Imagining Science: Art, Science, and Social Change (The University of Alberta Press, 2009), is the first of its kind to explore the ethical questions raised by biotechnology and social progress through art and essays.

Through stunning original art and powerful, concise essays, Imagining Science creatively explores such controversial issues such as:

• stem cell research
• creating half human, half beast 'Chimeras'
• the influence of art on public policy
• ramifications of technology on our environment
• synthetic biology
• cloning and genetic testing

"The ability to imagine science through art allows the reader to explore feelings of anxiety, fear or uncertainty through visual language," says Sean Caulfield, "It is crucial that thinkers from a variety of disciplines work together in order to ensure that we maintain a broad and open perspective when addressing important issues."

"As biotechnology continues to challenge our minds, stretch ethical boundaries and reach new limits, " adds Caulfield, "it is more important than ever for us to unite our artistic and scientific communities as we continue our quest in understanding and Imagining Science."

Few books are ever the 'first' to do something truly unique.
Imagining Science is one of these few.

ABOUT THE EDITORS:

Sean Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Printmaking and Professor in the Department of Art and Design at the University of Alberta, has exhibited his prints, drawings and book works extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. He has received numerous grants and awards for his works which are displayed in private and public collections throughout the world. His website is www.seancaulfield.ca.

Tim Caulfield, Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta since 1993, is also a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health. He has worked on a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavors and has published over 150 articles and book chapters for a variety of media outlets including Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Discovery Channel, CBC, the National Post and the BBC.

Imagining Science is available on www.amazon.com

Awards:
2009 Bookbinders' Guild of New York: New York Book Show, First place in Four Colour Book category, and Best Book overall at 2009 New York Book Show, Scholarly & Professional Category
2009 The Alcuin Society: The Alcuin Society Citations for Excellence in Book Design in Canada, Prose Non Fiction, Illustrated (Honourable Mention)

REVIEW COPIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST