The MIT community and visitors now have an additional reason to visit MIT.nano: six new art pieces by Brazilian artist and sculptor Denise Milan. These works are located in the open-air staircase connecting the first and second-floor galleries of the nanoscience and engineering facility. Milan’s pieces, part of her « Mist of the Earth » series, focus on stone as a microcosm of nature and evoke mandalas. The project invites viewers to contemplate the environmental changes brought about by human development.
Milan is the inaugural artist for « Encounters, » a series presented by STUDIO.nano, a new MIT.nano initiative that fosters exploration at the intersection of technology, science, and art. Encounters welcomes proposals from artists, scientists, engineers, and designers outside the MIT community who wish to collaborate with MIT.nano researchers, facilities, ongoing projects, and unique spaces.
« Life is in the art of encounter, » Milan said, quoting Brazilian poet Vinicius de Moraes during a reception at MIT.nano. « And for an artist to be in a place like this, MIT.nano, what could be better? I love the curiosity of scientists. They are very much like artists… both art and science are tools to make imagination flourish. » This was followed by an open conversation among participants on topics ranging from the cyclical nature of birth, death, and survival in the cosmos to reflections on the elemental sources of creativity and the similarities in artistic and scientific practices. Nobel laureate and MIT physics professor Frank Wilczek even gave a brief lesson on time crystals.
Milan was joined in the discussion by MIT.nano Director Vladimir Bulović, Fariborz Maseeh Professor of Emerging Technology; Ardalan SadeghiKivi MArch ’22, who moderated the discussion; Samantha Farrell, STUDIO.nano Program Manager; and Naomi Moniz, Professor Emerita at Georgetown University, who connected Milan and her work with MIT.nano.
« In addition to the technical community, we [at MIT.nano] have been approached by countless artists and humanities thinkers who, to our delight, are eager to learn about the wonders of the nanoscale and how to use MIT.nano’s tools to explore and develop their own artistic practice, » Bulović said.
These interactions have spurred interdisciplinary collaborative projects, art exhibitions, and even MIT courses. Over the past four years, MIT.nano has hosted 4.373/4.374 (Creating Art, Thinking Science), an undergraduate and graduate course offered by the Art, Culture, and Technology (ACT) program. To date, the class has welcomed 35 students into MIT.nano labs, resulting in 40 distinct projects and 60 artworks, many of which are displayed in MIT.nano galleries.
With the launch of STUDIO.nano, MIT.nano aims to expand its exhibition programs, including supporting additional digital media and augmented/virtual reality projects; providing tools and spaces for new classes envisioned by MIT academic departments; and introducing programs such as lectures related to studio activities.
Milan’s work will be a permanent installation at MIT.nano, where she hopes it will inspire individuals to pursue their creative inspiration, regardless of their discipline. « To exist or to disappear? » Milan asked. « Whether it’s us, an idea, or a dream, the question is how much you have a mission with your own imagination. »
