The Art of Science

The School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences organised Science Made Fun, a two-month-long art exhibition combining elements of science and art. Godwin Ng finds out more.

By Godwin Ng

Test tubes are a common sight in the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), but over the next month, students will see them take on a different form — as part of an art installation titled Cirque du Scent.

The installation, by Singapore and London-based art group Edible Art Movement, is one of nine creative works at SPMS’ Science Made Fun exhibition. Creations ranging from cardboard sculptures to kiln pottery await students at the two-month-long event, which started on 13 Jan.

The exhibition also serves as a curtain raiser to the launch of SPMS’ newest course: Making and Tinkering (PS9888).

The course is worth four academic units and is available to non-SPMS students.

Part of the curriculum includes a two to four-member group project which will see students from diverse backgrounds working together, in a bid to foster creative thinking across different disciplines.

The groups must submit a short proposal outlining their projects and a panel will select up to 20 groups for the course. The proposal format will be available to students this month and proposals must be submitted the week after recess week.

Dr. Ho Shen Yong, from the Division of Physics and Applied Physics, said that the course allows students to look forward to “greater excitement in science and making new things based on scientific knowledge”.

He said: “The exhibition raises awareness about this course and we hope to open students’ minds so they can be as creative as they want to be.”

“Students will learn to gather expertise from various disciplines and work as a team; to develop skills in the application of scientific knowledge to solve an identified problem, and to develop skills in making and building things from conception to realisation,” he added.

He also noted that a lot of the artworks on display “are not the conventional ways that you do things”, citing the use of 2D cardboard to form 3D sculptures as an example of the out-of-the-box thinking that he wants from prospective students.

The course will take place through the holidays during the special term, starting 12 May and ending 1 Aug.

Dr. Ho explained: “We will be using the first or second year physics lab benches which will only be available during the special term. During normal semesters, these benches are heavily utilised.”

For first-year SPMS student Goh Jianzhong, the new course is an appealing option.

The 23-year-old said: “I would be interested because you can mingle and play with your friends, so it’s not as stressful as the other modules.”

Freelance artist Mohamed Rohaimi Mohamed also supports this move as he believes that students should be exposed to more hands-on work.

His work, Graffiti Robots, is part of the Science Made Fun lineup and combines his passion for graffiti art with his engineering background.

ART ATTACK: Robots are programmed by Mr Rohaimi to autonomously create graffiti art.
PHOTO: NGO CHU TING

The 32-year-old said: “Science can definitely be incorporated into art. When you start to make more, you start to learn more. Everything is part of the learning process.”

Miss Nicola Anthony, 29, co-founder of the Edible Art Movement, agreed that art and science are not mutually exclusive and was “really excited” when approached by the school.

“It’s a great opportunity because we’ve been able to work alongside the school and think about the science and it helps us to add another layer of depth to our work,” she said.

FRAGRANT DISPLAY: An aromatic installation by the Edible Art Movement aims to provoke the sense of smell.
PHOTO: NGO CHU TING

For students like 27-year-old Yip Yew Mun, artworks like those of Miss Anthony and Mr Rohaimi are a welcome addition to the school.

The first-year PhD student from SPMS said: “This is my sixth year in this school and this is the first time I’ve seen something like this being held. It’s quite interesting.”

“I’m a chemistry student, so most of the time I see chemicals. I didn’t expect to see sculptures around here,” he added.

Not everyone, however, is as taken by the Science Made Fun exhibits.

Muhammad Azzrul, 23, a first-year student from SPMS, said: “I don’t really see how science is incorporated. When I look at the artwork, it’s more art-related.”

“The first things that attracted me were the prize giveaways.”