EDINBURGH.- Combining the best of science and theatre, Science in the Spotlight returns with an exciting show recommended for ages 5–8, Melody and Sam: Record Breakers. The show follows the journey of ambitious friends desperate to break a world record as they swim through challenges, over waves and underwater. Melody and Sam: Record Breakers is a story of determination that will inspire all ages. A hilarious and tender story of determination, friendship and record-breaking success. Directed by Caitlin Skinner, developed with support from Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund and presented at The Pleasance.
Families looking for a day at the theatre will also enjoy a range of shows at various venues across Edinburgh. Fix the future in the virtual reality world of The Space in FutureQuest, experience a multi-sensory polar adventure, come face to face to the science of circus with StrongWomen Science, or be shocked by the tales of Dr Megaphone goes Zap.
Science Theatre Scratch Night – a night of work in progress short performances, poetry readings and comedy, is a Science in the Spotlight event just for grown-ups.
A Human Touch, a major free open-air photography exhibition supported by Oceana, will be unveiled in front of the Scottish Parliament on 20 March. Exploring the effects of human activity on our planet, how modern practices are changing our landscapes and impacting on the environment, and looking at some of the steps taken to cope with a rapidly changing world and dwindling resources, it shows visitors the urgency of environmental degradation and ways to make a difference.
STEAM! Summerhall in association with ASCUS Art & Science returns to the Science Festival with yet another inspiring contemporary art exhibition. Metamorphosis showcases new work of local and international artists Louise Mackenzie, Russell Beard, Stephen Kavanagh and Aurélie Fontan. Working across the fields of art, design and science, these works explore where we are today after centuries of engineering the world and the environment around us, begging the question what impact has this had and where should we, as humans, go from here?
In other STEAM-related events, the Festival presents Design: The Frontiers of Art and Science, a swift series of short, punchy talks from a panel of academics, curators and industry experts guiding audiences through the frontiers of art and science, from the innovation of early man to cutting-edge design solutions.
Over at the City Art Centre, audiences have an opportunity to enjoy Arts Meets Science, a selection of works from the city’s art collection, including a suite of prints by contemporary Scottish artists which explore the legacy of Edinburgh born scientist D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson (1860-1948). His pioneering theories on the growth of organisms inspired many artists as well as scientists.
Edinburgh-based artist John Brown presents an exciting new exhibition that visualises various phenomena on a small scale in The Modelmakers. In each image, a ‘modelmaker’ is fabricating a miniature object or scene in order to elaborate on a scientific, technological, theoretical or political idea. The paintings also show the by-products of construction to recognise that the scene of fabrication is sometimes as interesting as the finished object.
