Where does science turn into art? Where does art enter science? What untapped potential for artistic expression is lurking in the output of cutting edge science? What new dimensions are opened up for science if the scientific approach includes vocabulary drawn from music or the visual arts? To provoke discussion and to explore a dialogue between the arts and sciences, the Chicago Materials Research Center initiated the S3 Project: Sounds and Sights of Science, a video/animation and musical composition/sound collage contest. The goal is to take a fresh look at the supposed divide between science and art, to map out creative connections between the two, and to explore shared terrain boldly. To this end, the S3 Project focuses on areas of scientific inquiry and artistic expression that rarely have been brought together, yet whose final "products" are a significant part of daily life: we seek connections between materials research on one side, and music and video/animation on the other. For past winning entries, please see the S3 Project website.
