Anne Bevan, Nova

NOVA

2007

Sculpture developed following a project with the Natural History Museum, London and Dundee Contemporary Arts Print Studio. Bevan worked with palaeontologist Norman McLeod and writer Sarah McGuire to look at foraminifera, whose name literally means ‘pierced forms’. These single cell organisms, microscopic shells, appear as grains of sand to the naked eye, but under the microscope are revealed as intricate sculptural forms.

Here the work explores the connections or similariities of this microscopic view with that of a telescope looking at space. Research also explored the history of 3D scientific models used to descibe phenomena invisible to the naked eye. 

9 clay forms with silver leaf
Aluminium light table (70 x 80 x 112cm) made in collaboration with Alasdair Gall.

Photography: Michael Wolchover/ Anne Bevan

Related project: THINGS UNSEEN

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