Vassar exhibit opens Feb. 18
A new exhibition at Vassar’s Palmer Gallery explores the human, more intuitive aspect of scientific work. Spark! A Feel for Science will be on view Feb. 18 through March 6, with an opening reception scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18.
A human torso on plaster, circa 1900, with a photo from the Atlas Photographique de la Lune (1896-1910) (Photo provided)
Curated by Richard Jones, collections manager for the Warthin Museum of Natural History at Vassar and co-director of the Vassar College Artifacts Project, Spark! displays some of Vassar’s antique science equipment juxtaposed with thoughts from modern scientists. “With Spark! I hope to replicate small fragments of what it’s like to be a creative being in a logic-driven endeavor,” Jones said.
The exhibition features, among other artifacts, glass slides from the biology department, lunar images from the astronomy department, as well as surprising efforts of creativity in other endeavors. It also features touchstones of inspiration, such as a book from the Vassar Library with the first use of the word robot.
Spark! is part of a series of events celebrating the opening of the new Bridge for Laboratory Sciences building. The Palmer Gallery is located on the first floor of Main Building and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. For directions, visit vassar.edu/directions.
