Internationally acclaimed art, pioneering medical research and public engagement will come together this summer as the University of Aberdeen co-hosts Breathing Bodies, a city-wide exhibition exploring the human body through art and science.
Running from 1 August until 22 November, the exhibition will transform venues across the city, including the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Art Gallery, inviting residents and visitors to experience a thought-provoking journey into the hidden world beneath our skin.
Created by French artist Ikse Maître and collective des Vues de l’esprit, Breathing Bodies uses cutting edge medical imaging including MRI and other diagnostic technologies to create immersive installations that encourage audiences to reflect on health, movement, breathing and what it means to be human.
The exhibition forms part of the V|LFSpiro3D European research project and complements the Chest MRI Advanced School, hosted by the University this September. Bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, industry partners and academics from across the globe, the school focuses on advancing MRI technology to improve the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.
By bringing internationally recognised artwork into everyday public spaces, Breathing Bodies encourages people to pause, reflect and consider the depth of the human body in new and unexpected ways.
Alongside the exhibition, the University will also host a public engagement event on 15 September exploring the journey from code to culture tracing the evolution of digital art from early plotter drawings and computer experiments to the internet, visualization, AI and emerging technologies. ‘Art Transformed in the Digital Age’ will feature internationally recognised pioneers in digital art and creative process, Ernest Edmonds and Linda Candy.
Dr Heather May Morgan, Vice-Principal (Regional Engagement & Innovation), said: “We are delighted to be co-hosting the Breathing Bodies exhibition and cannot wait to see spaces at both our King’s College and Foresterhill campuses be transformed by this installation.
“The University has a long history of research and innovation in the field of MRI technology, with the first whole-body clinical MRI scanner being designed and built by our scientists in the 1980s, the internationally recognized effort in making MRI technologies affordable, and the next-generation Field Cycling Imaging system opening earlier this summer. The exhibition reflects the connections between art and science and we’d encourage everyone to come along and learn something new.”
Professor David Blackbourn, Head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, said: “Breathing Bodies is a remarkable opportunity to share the science that underpins our understanding of the human body in a way that is creative, accessible and deeply engaging. At the University of Aberdeen, our researchers have been at the forefront of MRI innovation for decades, and it is inspiring to see this technology reimagined through Ikse Maître and des Vues de l’esprit’s artistic and scientific vision.
“By bringing together art and science, the exhibition invites people to explore the complexity of the body from a completely new perspective. We are delighted to be part of this collaboration and hope it sparks curiosity, conversation and a deeper appreciation of the research that helps improve health and wellbeing.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: “This unique exhibition offers residents and visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience art and science in a completely new way. By bringing internationally recognised work into venues across the city Breathing Bodies encourages curiosity, creativity and conversation, while showcasing Aberdeen as a place where culture, education and innovation thrive.”
Laura Wilson, Head of Convention Bureau at Visit Aberdeenshire, added: "The Breathing Bodies exhibition and the Chest MRI conference at the University of Aberdeen are fantastic examples of how Aberdeen combines worldclass research, events and culture. The installation offers delegates, visitors and residents a memorable experience that showcases the city's creativity and adds another dimension to time spent in Aberdeen."
Find out more at the Visit Aberdeen website.