From March 14th, the Instituto Cervantes in Utrecht will host a unique exhibition combining two seemingly different worlds: science and art. Under the name SCIENTIA 3.14, this exhibition will showcase the work of artist Ramón Trigo (from Vigo, Galicia), in collaboration with scientists from various fields, aiming to transform scientific concepts into visual and sensory experiences. We had the opportunity to talk with three of the coordinators behind this exhibition, Andrea Valles, Jeniffer Sanguino and Raquel Ledo, who tell us about their opinions and experiences on this post.
SCIENTIA 3.14: More Than an Exhibition
SCIENTIA 3.14 is not just an art exhibition but a bridge between creativity and reason. For Andrea, the initiative represents the opportunity to explore without restrictions, like a child playing and letting the imagination run wild. “Beyond the connection between art and science, what attracted me was the chance to feel free to experiment, to combine the analytical mindset with the artistic expression”, she says.
Jeniffer highlights that the purpose of SCIENTIA is to break down artificial barriers between disciplines. “Art can translate complex ideas into intuitive and emotional experiences, bringing knowledge closer to a broader and more diverse audience”. Raquel, reinforces this vision by pointing out that “science and art are not opposites but complementary ways of exploring and understanding reality.”
The Origin of the Art-Science Fusion
The idea for this exhibition stems from the need to represent science from a different perspective, using art as a communication tool. According to Andrea, both art and science share a similar process: “In both cases, you start with an idea, experiment, and reinterpret based on the results.” Similarly, Jeniffer mentions that “both worlds require curiosity, experimentation, and a deep desire to explore the unknown.”
The creative process has been a constant dialogue between the artist and the scientists. While Ramón captured clippings, sketches, and narratives from researchers, the scientists contributed with technical details and perspectives that enriched the artwork. “It’s a back-and-forth process,” says Raquel. “Ramón is extremely curious and always seeks to understand the concepts to portray them uniquely.”
Challenges and expectations
One of the biggest challenges has been finding a balance between scientific accuracy and artistic freedom. “We didn’t want art to be a simple illustration of science, nor science to be lost in an incomprehensible abstraction,” explains Raquel. Additionally, managing the ever-present technical language in science to make it accessible to the artist and the public has been a key learning experience. “Sometimes, the message doesn’t come across exactly as we imagined, but that reinterpretation is part of the magic of this project” adds Andrea.
The exhibition does not only feature paintings but also sculptures and immersive installations representing advances in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. “This is not a conventional exhibition; it’s an invitation to experience science from a sensory perspective,” says Jeniffer.
Un proyecto en expansión
SCIENTIA project will not stop at the Instituto Cervantes. Thanks to organizers efforts, part of the collection will travel to Madrid (more details soon), with a focus on neuroscience and the work of Ramón y Cajal. Later, some pieces will also make their way to the United Kingdom, in collaboration with CERU (Científicos Españoles en el Reino Unido). “It’s incredible to see how an initiative that started in the Netherlands is now reaching different countries and audiences,” says Andrea.
An Invitation to Discover SCIENTIA 3.14
The team hopes the public will be surprised and inspired by the exhibition. “We want people to leave with more questions than answers, to discover new ways of seeing science and art as part of the same exploration process,” says Jeniffer.
If you are passionate about the intersection of creativity and reason, don’t miss this opportunity to experience science through art. The opening of the exhibition will take place on March 14 at the Cervantes Institute in Utrecht at 6 pm. Admission is free but registration is required at the link.
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Andrea Vallés Martí
Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center.
Jeniffer Sanguino Gómez
PhD candidate in Neuroscience at the University of Amsterdam
Raquel Ledo Doval
PhD candidate at Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute
