Exposition

Biomimetics, Color and the Arts (2020)

F M Schenk
Schenk Franziska
open exposition

About this exposition

This research is located at the intersection of fine art and scientific developments in optical nanomaterials. Schenk’s work explores the application of the science of mimesis and bio-optics in contemporary painting. Using biomimetic methodologies and iridescent substances, she has innovated studio-based techniques to create image viewing experiences until now only seen in nature. Experimentation led to new processes informed by extensive investigation into the physics of natural phenomena, e.g. the dazzling iridescent colouration of certain insects and birds. Taking inspiration from these unique phenomena, the researcher introduces optical dynamism into painting, via the novel exploitation of iridescent pigment, allowing her to capture the process of oscillation between permanence and the ephemeral, the recognizable and the obscure. The characteristics of the nanomaterials deployed demanded the development of particular processes for achieving target affects. These involved blending conventional studio practices (pigment mixing, under-painting, glaze application, etc.) with new approaches devised for handling these challenging special media. Applying these new approaches enables colour shifting visual effects, previously unobtainable with conventional studio pigments, offering the means to catapult painting into the nano-age. Complementing the scientifically informed and laboratory-based dimensions of the work, these transformative methods have been advanced through their application in the researcher’s own artistic practice. A series of paintings deploying these methods have been exhibited. The underpinning science and novel application process developed to adopt nanomaterials in painting have been disseminated through conference presentations and refereed journals, e.g. invited papers, together with selected artworks, were presented at SPIE, San Diego (‘Biomimetics, Colour and the Arts’, 2015) and the Max Planck Institute, Dresden (‘Towards Smarter Art’, 2019). Also see the article with Prof Stavenga, University of Groningen, published by Faraday Discussion Journal (2020) and debated at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s international Faraday Discussion. Schenk’s artwork is on the cover.
typeresearch exposition
keywordssmart art, biomimicry, biophotonics
date24/08/2020
published29/12/2020
last modified29/12/2020
statuspublished
share statusprivate
affiliationBirmingham City University
copyrightF M Schenk
licenseAll rights reserved
languageEnglish
urlhttps://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/972064/972065
doihttps://doi.org/10.22501/rc.972064
published inResearch Catalogue


Simple Media

id name copyright license
996960 FranStudioEmperorFull_6 Franziska Public domain
1003323 FranStudioEmperorFull Franziska Schenk Public domain
1003336 FrontEmperor Franziska Schenk Public domain
1004337 Colour Shift 1 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1004419 Butterfly background Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1004474 Front Image2 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1004632 FranStudioSmallPaintings_9 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1004702 Screenshot 2020-09-30 at 11.20.59 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1004770 Screenshot 2020-09-30 at 11.40.01 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1029301 Scales of Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1029304 Scales of Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1039171 cover Faraday Franziska Schenk Public domain
1039252 GifProcess Franziska Schenk Public domain
1049608 Salamis at Max Planck Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1049612 Max Planck 2019 (1) Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1049854 FranStudioSmallPaintings_10 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1049907 Screenshot 2020-11-18 at 12.20.49 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1078751 From Mimesis to Biomimetics - Faraday discussion 21 Research Catalogue Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1078788 Faraday Audio Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1078810 From Mimesis to Biomimetics - Faraday discussion 21 Research Catalogue Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1079208 The Hive 2020 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1079341 Process - final selection Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1091929 Butterflytxt1 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1091933 ButterflyClose1 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1091941 Butterflyoutline Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1091959 Natur-e Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100215 The Lesser Purple Emperor Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100228 Process - from lab to canvas final Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100241 PictureProcess (cover) Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100266 FranMaxPlankPortfolio Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100267 From Mimesis to Biomimetics Dresden Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100268 FranHighburyPortfolio2019 Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100269 Paper 9429-29 Biomimetics, Color and the Arts Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100270 Biomimetics, Color and the Artsfinal Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100271 FranSmallworkPortfolio Franziska Schenk All rights reserved
1100272 PurplePortfolio Franziska Schenk All rights reserved

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