Maya Lin from Systematic Landscapes (photo: arcspace)
I recently came across an amazing argument for increased arts funding, especially in this economic crisis. Actually, the thrust of the argument—one I believe in—is not so amazing, though it may often be neglected. But some of the numbers cited in support truly are. The claim, by Michele and Robert Root-Bernstein, is that arts education is an important factor in developing creativity and innovation, traits that seem more essential than ever at a time when the status quo has broken down. The examples leading off their article are interesting, but not in themselves compelling to me. The astounding part (which also struck the Artful Manager, where I first learned of this) is the following:
We’ve just published a study that shows that almost all Nobel laureates in the sciences actively engage in arts as adults. They are twenty-five times as likely as the average scientist to sing, dance, or act; seventeen times as likely to be a visual artist; twelve times more likely to write poetry and literature; eight times more likely to do woodworking or some other craft; four times as likely to be a musician; and twice as likely to be a photographer. Many connect their art to their scientific ability with some riff on Nobel prizewinning physicist Max Planck words: “The creative scientist needs an artistic imagination.”
I’m naturally led to wonder if a similar statement is true for artists. In my personal experience with artists, I keep being surprised at encountering greater interest in science than I expected. So it’s time to go beyond personal anecdote with a fully scientific poll! I’m assuming anyone reading this has a strong interest in art, so my poll question concerns engagement in science. You’re free to define for yourselves whether your interest is strong, moderate, or weak. I would consider that anyone who often reads science-related articles, or even seeks them out, demonstrates strong interest. Please indicate below where you stand:
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Steve:
Did you have any formal training in the arts as a student? I wonder how many of the Nobel laureates had received instruction in an art.
It’s one thing to establish a correlation between art and science and another to argue cause and effect. How many of these people got so darned clever by picking up a brush, or is or was their interest in art the expression of a preexisting and wide ranging intellect?
And surely folks recognized for their accomplishments regardless of field, have been queried on this subject.
I don’t know if the Root-Bernsteins mentioned Leonardo. Bugatti and Wallace Stevens also come to mind.
My son Adam, as an actor, has done that doctor training gig down at the Cleveland Clinic. I don’t know if a formal education in theater is a requisite, but I’m sure it helps.
Jay,
You make an excellent point. As far as my own education, I remember enjoying the usual art classes through junior high school, but after that I was self-taught, mostly in art history. I also did a little drawing and wood and metal sculpture. It’s pretty hard to say if any of those activities directly helped me in my scientific career, but a tinkering mentality was definitely a great asset for an experimentalist. Good teaching in science should develop that, but it seems, unfortunately, that most of the emphasis, at least through high school, is on learning long-established concepts and getting the right answers. I would not be surprised if a playful spirit, and a willingness to try and fail and correct were not more readily learned in studio art classes, where the impression is that the stakes are lower, or at least it’s harder to be “wrong.”
Steve:
Sounds like you might be a correlation man.
I’d like to see more art appreciation taught in law, business and medical schools. It might not help them in their fields, but it could give them some ideas about what to do with their money :-)
PS – I saw that Maya Lin show last year down in San Diego, along w/ Robert Irwin’s. Really great.
David,
I immediately thought of you as an artist with a strong interest in science. That’s really clear in your interview, Forever almost falling.
David:
Any new songs?
Hi Steve and Jay. No, no new songs (lots written, but nothing new recorded). But I’m finally back in the studio after a year-and-a-half hiatus, doing some new paintings that I’m very excited about. Will share them here once they’re done.
Sorry I’ve been AWOL lately. Very eventful year, including exploring product design, some unexpected job-hunting, and a move. Looked for awhile like we might go to New Zealand, but we ended up in Pasadena.
David:
June is going to LOVE those crows!
Well I am not an artist so I can’t comment on whether artists are interested in science. But as someone interested in science I can comment albeit in a small way on the reverse.
I’m not in the Nobel Laureates class I am sorry to say but I am a computer programmer and have been so my entire adult life (over 30 years). This post picked my interest because I found early on in my work life that I needed a creative outlet just to stay sane. Computer technology may seem creative to some and it is when you’re creating cool web sites or trendy smart-phone applications etc but for the most part it is about as creative as working in a fast food store. I took up photography partly because I can’t draw anything more complex than a stick figure and as I’m probably tone deaf music and singing were not an option either.
It took me many years to loosen my overly focused way of thinking to a point where I could “see” well enough to make decent images. As it turned out with the loosening of mind came increased awareness which in turn help me in my regular job to not only feel less stress but to provide a better service.
Thanks for this interesting post.
Cedric,
Whether you call yourself an artist or not, you certainly have some interest in art. And your photographs show a creative eye, at least in my view. The same is suggested by the fact that you’re thinking about your way of seeing and about the meaning of your images. Thank you for your thoughts!