Class dates: Sept 11, 18, 25, Oct 9, 16 (5 weeks)

Class time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Location: Assumption, Kennedy 119

When we view a painting, we perceive the artist’s work with our eyes and our brains. Light is the messenger that allows artists, along with their own experiences and interests plus the historical record of centuries of earlier artists’ works, to show their creations to us. Over these same centuries, scientists have studied the process of visual perception itself. We’ll explore some important aspects of the art and of the science, and consider how these two apparently separate, unrelated areas of our cultural lives are deeply intertwined. No special background in art or science is assumed but having some experience with either or both fields would not be a problem.

We will also arrange an “observational scavenger hunt” at the Worcester Art Museum

Recommended readings: Art and Science, 2 ^nd Edition (Elaine Strosberg) Paperback or Kindle

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/art-history-timeline (good overall website for course reference)

Instructor: Les Blatt has offered many WISE courses over the past couple of decades. Most of them show some of the connections I have observed between science and some other aspects of our lives. I am a professor emeritus of physics and education at Clark University, with additional experience at The Ohio State University, l’Unversité Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France), Indiana University, and, collaboratively, with the Worcester and Malden (MA) Public Schools.