MaRS

Jenga: Demonstrating gravity

Quick: What are the seven innovations that revolutionized the world?

According to Jacob Zimmer’s grade school teacher, our society was revolutionized by Gutenberg’s press, Copernicus’ solar system, Newton’s physics, Darwin’s evolution, as well as the Industrial, Nuclear, and Information Revolutions.

It inspired Jacob Zimmer to create “Dedicated to the Revolutions,” an innovative show that engages the audience around these scientific revolutions that have altered the course of humanity… while remembering that science is fun (and funny). It opens tomorrow and plays until April 12th.

In the following interview, I ask Jacob about what the MaRS community of innovators can learn from his show.

Animation of bacillus cereus bacteria.
Created by AXS for ReGenesis: China

I enjoy working at the interface of art and science. For me, the two are not mutually exclusive disciplines but rather complementary ways of exploring and understanding our world. My partners (Sonya Amin and Eddy Xuan) and I run a business in MaRS called AXS Biomedical Animation Studio.

We came together with mixed backgrounds in genetic research, engineering, and visual arts, and share a passion for science and making pictures. In our studio we develop visual explorations — animations and illustrations — of complex phenomena in biological science and medicine. Much of our subject matter exists at micro- and nano-scales, in the realm of tissues, cells, viruses, and molecules, and often beyond the limits of current imaging technologies. Our images are therefore often interpreted from scientific data (some of it visual) and hypotheses, and the expert accounts of scientists themselves. We bring these images to life in animations using visual effects technology and storytelling techniques developed for Hollywood films.

Toronto International Bach Festival

With what felt like the early arrival of winter this past week, the commencement of the 2006 International Bach Festival in Toronto will surely warm the hearts of many in this city. The festival got off to a phenomenal start here at MaRS on Sunday afternoon with a performance of J.S. Bach’s Canata, Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!, BWV 70.

Stellar performances by

• Laura Albino, soprano
• Mia Lennox-Williams, alto
• Stephen Erickson, tenor
• Benjamin Covey, baritone

With the accompanying Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra, and Helmuth Rilling conducting.

This beautiful piece was a delight to hear and it gives every indication that this year’s festival should not be missed. For more information, please visit their website here.

MaRS is proud to support this culturally significant event. It highlights our desire to bridge the established communities of Science & Technology and Arts & Culture, and further convergence and collaboration between them for mutual benefit. We have much to gain from working with and developing relationships between these traditionally isolated groups. Innovation does not stop at the edge of technology, and creativity does not only live in the Arts. We at MaRS certainly look forward to weaving more interactions with the artistic and cultural communities to stimulate innovation and creativity across our entire community.

Nuit Blanche; foggy philospher’s walk.
Originally uploaded by kevin.mars

The MaRS Centre was the proud host of the Nuit Blanche event, La Grande Experience, produced by the French Embassy on Saturday. Audiences were titillated with the painting of live models, performance art, music, drink and
smart cars.

MaRS is getting more and more involved in cultural activities. The role of culture and art in innovation is one that we’re trying to explore.

In what can only be labeled as a staggering success, Nuit Blanche descended on Toronto Saturday evening. Estimates suggested at least 400,000 people attended the 130 venues across the city. (CBC).

Exhibits ranged from classical to contemporary, mundane to marvelous. Standard gallery fair and easy jazz, to eccentric performance art and sonic assaults to challenge your senses.

One of the most popular venues, pictured here, used fog machines within a mini-ravine on the Philosopher’s Walk to create a mysterious ambiance. A scene that made this Martian reminisce about his home in Halifax.

Despite being billed as a one time event as part of the City of Toronto’s Live With Culture, a program promoting cultural events over a 16-month period, there is already a demand to ensure this was not the last we saw of Nuit Blanche.

And for a more personal look at the evening’s events, try searching Nuit Blanche on Flickr. You’ll find several thousand photos that have been uploaded by attendees in the past 2 days. The “Creative Commons” is a wonderful thing.