South Australian Museum
The Art of Science
The Art of Science: Scientific Illustrations from Museum Victoria
| EVENT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| When: | 30 March - 19 May 2013 10am – 5pm daily |
| Where: | Special Exhibition Gallery Ground floor |
| Cost: | Free |
Whether they fly, swim, crawl, wiggle or walk, we are endlessly fascinated and inspired by the creatures of our world. The Art of Science showcases the uncommon beauty produced from 300 years of exacting scientific observation and illustration.
As exploration and science have expanded our horizons across time and space, the ability to capture and communicate the truths held in nature have become increasingly important. Scientific artwork is as important and astonishing today as it was in the 18th century.
This exquisite exhibition presents the development of scientific art from Museum Victoria's seldom seen collection of artworks and rare books, and stunning images produced with microscopes, macro-lenses, and computers.
Focus Display
See a display of the digitised images from the South Australian Museum's Entomology (insects) Collection as part of this exhibition. Around 8500 insect holotypes are being digitised in a massive project undertaken largely by volunteers. By making these specimens digitally accessible, we're making them easier for taxonomists to find and see, saving them time and resources.
The digitised images are one portion of what we contribute to the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). This online, national database of all Australia's flora and fauna brings together data, images, digitised scientific literature and a range of analysis tools.
The South Australian Museum has so far contributed data about more than 200,000 specimens to the ALA. Getting this data online, along with digital information and specimens from other museums and partner institutions, provides a rich online picture of Australia's biodiversity.
A Museum Victoria Touring Exhibition. This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.
Header image: Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) from The Birds of America(detail) by John James Audubon, 1829. Hand coloured aquatint, engraving on paper.
Aboriginals in Excellent Health Prior to Contact
10 May 2013
The South Australian Museum is conducting exciting research into Aboriginal archaeological and burial sites on the State's Yorke Peninsula, which will tell us more about the diet and culture of people from up to 2000 years ago.
South Australian Museum Archaeologist Dr Keryn Walshe is researching archaeology and human remains from the Narungga community, which were originally handed in to the Museum by local residents, farmers and holidaymakers up to a century ago.
"We thought it would be a really good opportunity to return to the collections in the Museum - the skeletal material from the burials and the archaeology. Some of the archaeology material is 8000 years old and that made it so much more interesting because we could really begin to understand how people were living 8000 years ago on Yorke Peninsula."
Read more: Aboriginals in Excellent Health Prior to Contact
The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize
Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize
Exploring the natural world through artistic creativity.
The 2013 competition has now closed. All entrants will be notified of the outcome of their entries by mid-June.
The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize is a unique opportunity for talented artists to immerse themselves in the wonders of science.
We challenges artists to use skills in their chosen media to interpret the natural world and contribute to the great environmental debates facing our planet.
Now in its eleventh year, the Waterhouse is a valuable fixture in the Australian art world and offers artists a platform to showcase their skills, and make a statement about the scientific issues affecting us today.
Waterhouse Gala Launch Night
Get your tickets to this black-tie launch night. Celebrate with the winning artists and have the first opportunity to purchase artworks. Call 08 8207 7660 or email foundation@samuseum.sa.gov.au.
The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize™ is supported by: Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources; Fisher Jeffries; Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy; Epicure Catering; Renniks Events; Pro Show Productions; Jurlique; James Squire; The Wedding & Flower Room; Angove Family Winemakers; Majestic Hotels; Adelaide Airport Limited, The Adelaide Review; 891 ABC Adelaide; National Archives of Australia.
