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Artists on science: scientists on art
In this focus
Greater specialization means the culture gap between art and science has perhaps never been so extreme. It is hard to find today a true artist—scientist like Leonardo da Vinci, who is as noted for his science and engineering skills as his Mona Lisa and Last Supper. There is just too much to know. But recently there has been an increasing awareness on the part of some artists of the heritage of scientists and vice versa. This supplement aims to reflect, and place in context, some of this awareness.
Artists on science
Fiction informed by science
A.S. Byatt's encounters with science shape the story and characters in her four-part series of novels.
Nature 434, 294–297 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434294a
Poetry and science: greatness in little
Peter Forbes explores how poetry and science can mutually inspire.
Nature 434, 320–323 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434320a
Science in literature
Simon Mawer, novelist
Nature 434, 299–300 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434299a
Experimental physics, experimental art
Ken McMullen, artist and film-maker
Nature 434, 310–311 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434310a
The evolution of sensibility
Roger Reynolds, composer
Nature 434, 316–319 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434316a
A tale of two loves
Alan Lightman, novelist
Nature 434, 299–300 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434299a
From science in art to the art of science
Martin Kemp, art historian
Nature 434, 308–309 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434308a
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Scientists on art
The artist as a neuroscientist
Artistic licence taps into the simplified physics used by our brain to recognize everyday scenes, says Patrick Cavanagh.
Nature 434, 301–307 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434301a
Music, the food of neuroscience?
Playing, listening to and creating music involves practically every cognitive function. Robert Zatorre explains how music can teach us about speech, brain plasticity and even the origins of emotion.
Nature 434, 312–315 (17 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434312a

