News

Beyond Blue Skies

(21 October 2004)

Never enough time? Need more space? Discover the earliest moments and furthest reaches of the universe. Get your imaginations racing as you choose your favourite galaxy and cruise the cosmic web.

That’s what’s on offer at a unique event at Grey College, University of Durham on Saturday 30th October when there is a open invitation to join in a wide-ranging discussion on art, science, the universe and everything.

Scientist Peter Edwards will launch participants on a journey through the universe and poet Diana Syder will guide the audience through easy writing games to help both the artist and the scientist to reflect on what they see and hear.

In the afternoon Diana reads poems and discusses her work and Carlos Frenk, Director of the Institute for Fundamental Particle Phenomenology and newly elected Fellow of the Royal Society, reads from one of his research papers and talks about his approach to science. In the final session a summary of current issues in the Two Cultures debate will lead into an open discussion.

Writers, artists, arts development workers, students. as well as people who have an amateur or professional interest in science, are all welcome to attend this free event.

There is no charge for this event, which is supported by Grey College and Arts Council England. To see a programme or reserve a place, either email Diana@topchapel.fsnet.co.uk, phone Grey College reception on 0191 334 5900 or write to Diana Syder, Chapel House, Main St, Taddington, Derbyshire, SK17 9TU.

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham, Tel 0191 334 6078 e-mail : t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk.

Programme

10.00
Coffee and introduction by Martyn Chamberlain, physicist and Master of Grey College

10.15 - 11.00
Super Soup: stunning slide presentation by Pete Edwards, Public Understanding of Science Officer, Department of Physics, University of Durham.

11-12.30
Writing workshop: easy writing games to help both the artist and the scientist in you reflect on what you’ve just heard and seen. You’ll be surprised at what you can produce even in a short time. If you are an artist, whatever medium you usually work in, why not try words? If you’re a scientist this is your opportunity to experiment and approach science from a new angle. Or feel free to do your own thing. Led by poet Diana Syder.

12.30
Lunch in the Holgate Suite

1.30 – 2.30
‘…the passion of science, the precision of poetry…’ Nabukov.
Diana Syder reads poems and talks about her work. Carlos Frenk, physicist, reads from one of his research papers and talks about his work.

2.30 -3.00
Never the Twain? An introduction to current ideas about the two cultures by Brian Tanner, physicist, followed by an open discussion facilitated by Martyn Chamberlain, physicist and Master of Grey College.


Notes to Editors

Peter Edwards manages the public understanding of science programme at the University of Durham, as part of which he promotes physics in secondary schools.

Diana Syder’s second book, Maxwell’s Rainbow won a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. She was given a public awareness of science award for her poetry by the Institute of Physics and is a current Holgate Fellow at Grey College, sponsored by Arts Council England.

Carlos Frenk newly elected FRS, is Director of the Institute for Fundamental Particle Phenomenology at the University of Durham.