Touching Space-Time

2013

"Touching Space-Time," my research project and curated installation at the University of Glasgow, explored "art as a ‘lab’ for sensory exploration" (Hawkins, 2012:60). This project examined how theoretical and experimental physicists make cosmic events tangible using technology, and how these scientific processes can be creatively reinterpreted in the arts.

The exhibition, contextualized within the art and science dialogue, featured works that delved into the aesthetic dimensions of geographic research. The project was enriched by support from organizations like the UK's Wellcome Trust and the AHRC, and cultural producers such as The Arts Catalyst, known for fostering art-science conversations.

Central to the project was my collaboration with the Institute for Gravitational Research (IGR) at the University of Glasgow, focusing on gravitational wave detection. This collaboration inspired three main creative works: a film titled "Cosmic Subjects," a short story installation "On Leaving the Universe," and Bethan Parkes’ sonic installation "Isolation/Oscillation." These pieces aimed to translate the astrophysicists' imperceptible subject matter into sensory experiences, moving away from visual representation to more haptic and sonic forms.

Displayed across multiple sites at the university, the exhibition sought to immerse the audience in an exploration of the subtle yet profound aspects of gravitational wave research.

This project marked a significant phase in my early PhD research, bridging creative practice and geography, and underscoring the challenge of representing intangible scientific concepts, a theme that continues to resonate in my research journey.