4 artists and 2 NCCR SPIN scientists illustrate clichés in scientific research!

NCCR SPIN and the Lausanne comic festival BDFIL partnered to organize an illustrated discussion on clichés in scientific research! The event took place in the beautiful Aula of the Palais de Rumine in Lausanne on the 23rd September 2023, during Museum Night.

The principle was the following: Oriane Masseray, Lionel Codak, Carine and Azriel Malacalico from the association Splotch! were asked a few questions on scientific research. In about 5 to 8 minutes, our four artists answered those questions with a live illustration while scientists Anna Fontcuberta i Morral (EPFL) and Pierre Fromholz (University of Basel) were discussing the same questions in front and with the public. The event was moderated by Marie Le Dantec, NCCR SPIN communication and outreach officer.

The ball opened with asking artists Carine and Azriel Malacalico to “draw a scientist”. Leaning on their drawings, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral and Pierre Fromholz started the discussion by deconstructing the myth of the old man in his white coat, alone in his laboratory. The illustrated conversation went through many different topics such as imagining an experiment in a physics lab, what future computers can do, the scientific discovery that they would like to see in the future, and what they would do if they measured 1 nm… Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, experimentalist, and Pierre Fromholz, theorist, could joyfully share their experience with the public from the point of view of two different families of scientists who work nonetheless hand in hand.

All and all, this illustrated discussion was successful and fun, with interesting conversations and questions from the public, animated by talented artists. NCCR SPIN is looking forward to bringing more of science and art together in future public events!