Synergies in Art and Science:
How Interdisciplinary Art and Education Unlock Innovation and Shape Society
(Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Amazon Music and more)
In this Season 2 Episode 4 of The Art in STEAM podcast, artist and educator Victoria Vesna explores the transformative power of combining art and science to address global challenges. As the director of the UCLA Art|Sci Center, Victoria emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations, arguing that the future of innovation lies in the spaces where these two fields meet.
Victoria shares her insights on how art and science can shift mindsets and help us understand and tackle some of humanity’s most pressing issues, such as climate change and the environmental crisis. She reflects on her groundbreaking work, where she partners with scientists to use technology and creative expression to bring awareness to these global challenges. Moreover, she underscores the responsibility that artists and scientists share in addressing these issues through innovative solutions.
The episode also delves into the role of education, as Victoria advocates for teaching future technologists to be innovative and anticipate and navigate emerging risks like AI bias. By fostering an inclusive mindset in students, educators can prepare the next generation of creative thinkers to take on the complexities of tomorrow’s world.
“Artists and scientists together have the potential to shift societal mindsets, addressing global challenges in ways neither could do alone.”
—Victoria Vesna
Three takeaways:
The synergy of art and science creates opportunities for innovation, offering new ways to address global issues like climate change.
Education plays a pivotal role in preparing future technologists to anticipate and mitigate the risks associated with emerging technologies, ensuring they are used responsibly.
Interdisciplinary collaborations can help shift societal mindsets and foster a more inclusive and ethically responsible approach to innovation.
