Sean Caulfield is Canada Research Chair and professor of Printmaking in the Department of Art and Design at the University of Alberta. He has exhibited his prints, drawings, and book works extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan. Timothy Caulfield is the Research Director of the Health Law Institute, professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, and a Senior Health Scholar with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. He is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy and an active researcher on the social issues associated with biotechnology.
"...The current Art Gallery of Alberta exhibit is a more direct
result of a 2007 Banff Centre residency between international
artists and scientists. At the center of the residency swirled
questions concerning the legal, ethical and social implications in
technological advances, and how these issues intersect within the
realm between the arts and sciences. ... Increasingly, the strange
and the unknown are becoming known, and the limits of how far we go
to explore the abyss of knowledge is the shakable foundation of the
bioethical dilemma. New York-based Adam Zaretsky explores these
limits with the heart of an artist and the soul of a scientist. ...
Citing the creation of transgenetic creatures as art, where
scientists have to choose a gene to create an organism between the
imagination and an objective reality, Zaretsky is transparent about
his practice, his concerns, and acknowledges that researchers for
the most part have no clear idea of where and how far they are
willing to go. 'The things I see in the labs: frogs with eyes
coming out of the back of their heads that are connected to the
part of the brain that hears instead of sees' he shares within
shades of ambivalence and awe. 'Science lives on the edge of
knowledge, trying to capture it, torture it until it reveals to us
its secrets so that we can claim it. I think these ethical
conundrums are worth it. I admit that it's not just a dream, but a
nightmare, a real return of the repressed. We're afraid of creative
thought leading the way.'" Amy Fung, Vue Weekly, Nov. 20, 2008.
This intriguing book is the brainchild of brothers Sean and Timothy
Caulfield, both professors at the University of Alberta. From
contributors in the worlds of art and science, essays, photographs,
paintings and poetry explore the ramifications of bio-technology on
the world. Each entry emphasizes the complexity of the topic,
stressing how science and art often combine to present a more
powerful argument than either could alone. All demonstrate how even
microscopic elements in the laboratory impact life and that all of
life is connected. Much of this book was part of an exhibit at the
University of Alberta art museum. Distributed by Michigan State
University Press. Oversize: 11x 10 inches. (Annotation ©2009 Book
News Inc. Portland, OR)
"...Imagining Science [is] an innovative collaboration among
scientists, artists, bioethicists and others that investigates
numerous contentious bioethical issues, such as stem cell research,
genetic testing, patenting of genes and genetic selection of
offspring.... In his introductory essay, Timothy Caulfield touches
on the controversial social, ethical, legal and religious issues
gripping the field of biotechnology and opines that artists are an
important voice among the various commentators. Indeed, some
artists play the role of provocateur, presenting works inspired by
the imagined (or unimaginable) possibilities of biotechnology and
some of these works bring the public face-to-face with challenging
and troublesome issues in a direct visceral way. The book features
the work of 10 artists, along with 18 essays and a poem, all of
which aim to shed new light from differing perspectives on
biotechnology and the interplay between art and science.... It
should appeal to a broad audience of general public as well as
professionals (including artists) involved in the biosciences. When
you look through it, have Google near at hand since the
contributors provide or spin off many juicy references. While
reading this book, I spent as much time eagerly surfing as I did
looking at the actual pages. Probably a sure sign of a good read in
our age." Stuart Kinmond, CMAJ, June 23, 2009
"Imagining Science is an exploration of where and how art and
science interact....[It] addresses those expectations and
perceptions [of science] with lush photos of evocative art
installations and colourful prints beside clear, concise articles
on everything from bioethics and genetics to policy and food. Most
importantly, however, it brings these disparate groups of artists,
scientists, and social commentators together." Kathleen Bell, SEE
Magazine, July 30, 2009
"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...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; and cloning and genetic testing....
Few books are ever the 'first' to do something truly unique.
Imagining Science is one of these few." Charmed Magazine: Baltimore
Life, Arts & Culture, January 2010 [see full review at
http://www.charmedmag.com/2610/book-imaging-science/]
"[The editors'] combined expertise guided their excellent selection
of contributors to provide a thoughtful and accurate mapping of the
larger conversation about bioscience, technology, art, and social
concerns.... Imagining Science makes clear that the art/science
interface is becoming a productive field of study with a growing
group of its own theorists, critics, curators, and historians. To
those already entrenched in the debate, Imagining Science offers a
fresh perspective, summarizing the hot topics. For the uninitiated,
the collection of words and images is an inviting
introduction....It deserves to be read closely and considered
carefully. Imagining Science should be a springboard to further
exploration of the rich interaction of science with other powerful
social forces and institutions." JD Talasek, Issues in Science and
Technology, Winter 2010 [Full review at
http://www.issues.org/26.2/br_talasek.html]
"[The book] touches on the controversial social, ethical, legal and
religious issues gripping the field of biotechnology and states
that artists are an important voice among the various commentators.
Indeed, artists can play the role of change agent, presenting works
inspired by possibilities of biotechnology. The book features the
work of 10 artists, along with 18 essays and a poem, all of which
aim to bring differing perspectives on biotechnology and the
interplay between art and science." Canadian BioTechnologist 2.0
[Blog accessed August 10, 2010]
"Compiled and co-edited by Sean and Timonty Caulfield, Imagining
Science is a distinctive collection of informative essays and
memorable original artwork by artists, scientists and social
commentators from around the world addressing complex and
controversial legal, ethical and social concerns about advances in
biotechnology ranging from stem cell research, to cloning, to
genetic testing. The result is a synthesis of seminal scientific
and creative research. Imagining Science is a unique series of
collaborations highlighting the functional role art plays in
accessibly assessing biomedical technologies and challenging
ethical, religious and philosophical boundaries. Thoughtful and
thought-provoking, Imagining Science is highly recommended for
personal, professional, academic, and community library reference
collections and supplemental reading lists." Midwest Book Review,
September 2009
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