Client: Rubin Center for the Arts University of Texas at El Paso

Location: El Paso, TX, United States

Completion date: 2013

Artwork budget: $6,000

Project Team

Artist

Francesca Samsel

Other

Dr. Craig Tweedie

UTEP

Overview

A meditative digital presentation on the relationships between water, weather, ecosystems and the factors driving changes through out the planet. Created in collaboration with Dr. Craig Tweedie and the Ecology Systems Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Goals

The artwork was commissioned by the University for their Visualization Lab. It's purpose was to expose the wonder and importance of science, exposing students to possibilities within the scientific field.

Process

I worked closely with Dr.Tweedie and his team, visiting his research site, spending time in the lab with his graduate students to begin to understand the interrelated components of the research and the relevance to climate research as a whole. The piece is comprised of 12 chapters, each focusing on a different piece of equipment on the dessert research site. Each chapter depicts images and metaphors based of the equipment, what it measures, why, and which natural elements at the site are effected both directly and indirectly.

Additional Information

Science is riveting. Generally it is presented in a dry statistical light. Our goal was to spotlight the wonders within the work to encourage more students, not exposed to the range of research on campus. UTEP is a minority serving institution. One of its challenges is to expose the students to all of the areas in need of their talents and abilities.