WEBINAR: Living Opals: Diatoms in Art and Scientific History

Living Opals: Diatoms in Art and Scientific History

Description: Diatoms have fascinated scientists and artists alike since they were first identified. Prior to clear microscopic photography techniques, detailed drawings were made from live observation to describe diatoms to the world. Since illustration was necessary for identification and categorization, many early scientists left an incredible artistic legacyin addition to their scientific work. In this talk, we’ll explore early diatom collecting in the Western United States through a historical and artistic frame. We’ll learn how these beautiful beings were collected, how a network of scientific sharing grew around the globe, and how these early diatomists left an important artistic record we can still learn from and be inspired by today. We will also view artwork inspired by these historical collections.

Target Audience: Anyone who loves scientific art, admires diatoms for their incredible beauty, is interested in historical scientific expeditions, and is curious about how we built our early knowledge of microbes.