Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
The Art of Scientific Observation: An Art-Science Project on the Legacy of Barbara McClintock. |
| Authors: |
Ziegler, Ella1 ez@ella-ziegler.de, Lehmann, Johannes2 CL273@cornell.edu |
| Source: |
Leonardo. Dec2025, Vol. 58 Issue 6, p646-650. 5p. |
| Subjects: |
Scientific observation, Science projects, McClintock, Barbara, 1955-, Chromosomes, Science education, Scientific discoveries, Laboratories |
| Abstract: |
The authors explore a facet of the scientific method of the Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock through an artistic process. McClintock's key scientific insights into what she coined the "breakage-fusion-bridge cycle" rest on her observation of maize kernel colors and forms in combination with the spatial arrangement of chromosomes. Her intriguing studies motivated the art project BREAK-FUSION-BRDGECYCLE to highlight the role of visual observation in discovery. Four different posters bear irregular diamond shapes with forms reminiscent of X-chromosome shapes and kernel color patterns McClintock studied and are inscribed with the words break, fusion, bridge, and cycle using a font choice that was inspired by her drawings of chromosomes. As they are freely available posters, anyone can experiment with the spatia arrangement of shapes and colors, to reflect on one's own ability to observe, make connections, and create new insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Engineering Source |
