Bright Ideas from SCU and TAFE to ignite conversation at Arts vs Science Riverside Festival

NOTE: Due to inclement weather, Arts vs Science Festival will be held at Lismore City Hall on Sunday August 24.

When arts and sciences join forces a sustainable future is possible, say organisers of the Bright Ideas Tent at the inaugural Arts vs Science Riverside Festival in Lismore on Sunday August 24.

The Bright Ideas Tent is a joint project of Southern Cross University and TAFE North Coast. Artists, scientists and researchers from both organisations will present a range of stimulating panel discussions on innovative arts and science collaborations.

“The Arts vs Science Riverside Festival is an exciting initiative and the Bright Ideas Tent is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the great work being generated here at Southern Cross University when the arts and science disciplines come together,” said Associate Professor in Cultural Studies Elizabeth Stephens, the newly appointed Deputy Head of School (Research) in the School of Arts and Social Sciences.

“Many in the community would be familiar with the SCU Sunflower solar power project which has powered a Bluesfest stage, an art installation at Sydney’s Vivid Festival and the media tent at the Byron Bay Writers Festival. The Sunflower was created when our engineering and music researchers come together to share ideas and skills.

“Similarly, the “after | image” art and video project is a collaboration of a media artist and an environmental scientist.”

Presenters in the Bright Ideas Tent include:

• ‘Arts vs Science: are they really opposed?’: keynote address from Associate Professor Elizabeth Stephens, Deputy Head of School (Research) in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at SCU
• ‘Experimenting with art/science interactions: the “after | image” project’: media artist Dr Grayson Cooke, director of Higher Degree Research Training in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at SCU and Dr Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, senior lecturer in the School of Environmental Science and Engineering discuss their arts-science project that explores archival preservation and dissolution
• ‘The Joys and Perils of Interdisciplinary techno-cultural transformation - The Sunflower Project’: Dr Barry Hill, musician, bass player and Bachelor of Contemporary Music course coordinator in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at SCU, talks about his solar-powered audio-visual system
• ‘An Apology to the Animals’: Mr Steve Giese from North Coast TAFE discusses art and biodiversity
• ‘Treasures of the Plant World’: Ms Vic Szabo from Southern Cross Plant Science presents a photography exhibition of the little known Southern Cross Plant Herbarium.

Southern Cross University is also bringing the rising stars of its contemporary music program to perform on the music stage which is being powered by the SCU Sunflower Solar Sound System.

North Coast TAFE students will be showcasing their interdisciplinary approaches to art and science.

The festival program also includes street art, sculptures from waste, and tree planting just to name a few.

“Come and see interdisciplinary techno-cultural transformation in action!” said Dr Kristin den Exter, engagement facilitator at Southern Cross University and organiser of the Bright Ideas Tent.


Keep up to date with all NR Science Hub activities by liking the Hub page on Facebook
www.facebook.com/northernriverssciencehub

For more information about the Northern Rivers Science Hub, contact Kristin den Exter, Engagement Facilitator at Southern Cross University, 0414 223 139 or kristin.denexter@scu.edu.au

Photo: Image of lower leaf trichomes from the 'Treasures of the Plant World' presentation in the Bright Ideas Tent (credit: Vic Szabo).