Short Summary

I, Esther Mallouh, am an independent curator of Science/Art exhibits.  

My exhibits have at their hearts the pursuit of new connections, explorations and presentations at the nexus of the sciences and arts.  I specialize in cultivating dialogues between scientific and artistic inquiry through collaborative exchanges.  

 Visit www.mind-matters.org to view my previous exhibit.

As Above As Below: cosmic and brain webs

The Metaphor:  What laws govern the way networks grow and change, from the smallest brain cells to the growth of mega-galaxies? How close are we to understanding the commonalities between networks large and small?

As Above As Below explores those laws, the galaxies within, and the connection between all levels of existence in the universe, from the most immense with the very smallest.  

The exhibit features 9 new media artists interpreting ramifications of the collaborations between  7 Astrophysicists and 6 Neuroscientists who are drawing  parallels between galactic and neuronal networks.  Meet our collaborators:

1. Joel Primack - Astrophysicist|Olaf Sporns - Neuroscientist|Forest Stearns - Artist

2. Mark Neyrinck & Miguel Angel Aragon Calvo - Astrophyscists|Michael Silver - Neuroscientist|Anastasia Victor - Artist

3. David Weinberg - Astrophyscist|Dan Feldman - Neuroscientist|James Morgan, Thea Kinyon Bhoodoo, Cory Bloyd, Yagiz Mungan

4. Jeffrey Kruk - Astrophysicist|Tamira Elul- Neuroscientist|Yoon Chung Han - Artist

5. Bridget Falck - Astrophysicist|Sarah Banducci - Neuroscientist|Miguel Novelo - Artist

6. Benedikt Diemer - Astrophysicist|Natalie Zahr - Neuroscientist|Purin Phanichphant - Artist

Schedule:

The exhibit runs: Oct 13 through Dec 15, 2019

Sunday, Oct 13 from 12 to 4:30pm: Opening/reception at  Manresa Gallery, St Ignatius Church -  650 Parker Avenue, San Francisco, CA                                                                                                                          

12:30 to 1:30pm: Opening Panel discussions moderated by Jamie Vernon, CEO, Sigma Xi                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Opening Music:  Nancy Abrams, Alien Wisdom,  Stacy Yi, Piano &  Michael Graham, Cello

Closing Reception:  Sunday, Dec 15 from 6 to 9pm                                                                                                                                        

The Need:  All of our artists are volunteering their time and resources to create As Above As Below. Any contribution you can make will go toward the cost of materials and equipment for our six new media art installations.

Please join us in the important role of enriching the history of contemporary Scientific Art.

Thank you. 

What We Need & What You Get

We are inviting you to contribute towards a $7,000 goal.  The funds will be used to underwrite the cost of materials and equipment needed to produce the installations. Each installation is unique and still in development at the time we're launching this campaign, but some of the items needed include software, projectors, live plants, and audio systems.

If we do not reach our entire goal, the funds received will be distributed equally amongst the artists to help reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.  

For contributions of $75 or more, you will receive a thank you card from one of our collaborators.

For contributions of $200 or more, you will receive the exhibition poster signed by some of our collaborators. 

For contributions of $500 or more, you will be acknowledged on asaboveasbelow.com.

For contributions of $1000 or more, you will receive a sketch of yourself drawn by one of the participating artists.

The Impact

As Above As Below spearheads the exchange of knowledge and scientific investigations between Astrophysics and Neuroscience through an intriguing new topic.  Will their investigations influence research into the preservation of humankind in the far distant future?

Albert Einstein once said:  “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.”

At the very least, we hope to increase awareness of the latest advances in this two incredible fields of science, and to inspire new thoughts, ideas and dreams among viewers.

Risks & Challenges

All of our artists are pulling from their personal funds to create their installations even as I write this. A critical part of supporting the arts means supporting artists so they can keep making art sustainably. 

If we don't make our goal, some of our artists will be financially set back, but the installations will still be finished. We're all committed to As Above As Below.

The collaborators and myself are reaching out to our friends and colleagues to enlist their support. Please join us.

Other Ways You Can Help

- Tell your friends and colleagues about the exhibit and this campaign.
- Share this campaign on social media.
- If you're in the Bay Area, join us at our opening and closing events.