A Series of Environmental Exhibits by Exploratorium Artists in Residence…

The Exploratorium requests support for four nationally recognized installation artists to develop scientifically relevant, interactive exhibits that will model the movements of waves, clouds, and flowing water and their interplay on and with the Earth's surface. By manipulating or enhancing the behavior of these simulated elemental forces, changing their scale or the perspective from which they are observed, or slowing down or speeding up their natural processes, the artists can bring out characteristics not easily observed, normally. Cross- referenced to other Exploratorium exhibits, these pieces will form the center of a subset of exhibits on the physics of fluid motion and the interaction of elemental forces. They will serve as a starting point for exploring the physical conditions that can cause and support the natural phenomena modeled by the artists. We will develop two different kinds of dissemination materials: 1) A publication for museum professionals, addressing the use of art in presenting science to the public. 2) Printed guides which will designate environmentally relevant exhibits at the Exploratorium dealing with aspects fluid movements in nature. These new "Pathways" will be intended for children and will be made available to students coming on Field Trips and the general public. They will be produced in coordination with two other Pathways on Energy and distributed in packets entitled "Energy and the Environment."