YLEM Journal:
Artists Using Science and Technology
Vol. 22,
No. 2, January/February 2002
P.O. Box 749, Orinda, CA 94563, USA
http://www.ylem.org/flash/journal/year02.html.
Reviewed by Rob Harle
Australia
recluse@lis.net.au
YLEM (pronounced eylum) is Greek for "the
exploding mass from which the universe
emerged". It is the name of the journal
under review and also of the "international
organization of artists, scientists, authors,
curators, educators and art enthusiasts
who explore the intersection of the arts
and sciences". Their web site is
http://www.ylem.orgif
youre interested in art and science;
it is a must to visit.
This issue celebrates YLEMS 20th
anniversary, which is somewhat of a revelation
in that only in the last few years has
the interaction of science, art and technology
become a seriously considered field of
inquiry and activity. Of course, art has
always commented on and investigated our
technological achievements, such as space
travel, but recently artists are using
scientific equipment and processes to
produce art that could not be realised
in any other way. YLEMs members,
it seems, have been doing this for almost
twenty years. The image by Grant Elliot
(p. 6) is a wonderful example, entitled
Starburst; it is the "interference
contrast illumination of a defect of a
semiconductor" (1994).
YLEM is acutely aware of the difference
between science and technology; many use
the terms synonymously and think that
if they are creating art using a computer
they are engaging in art and science,
which is in most cases incorrec; it is
more likely art with technology. As Stephen
Wilson explains, "Artists have been
much more involved with technology than
science" (p. 3). This may be low
or high technology and, of course, artists
have been using low technologies for centuries.
Wilson further explains that art getting
seriously involved in science is not without
its detractors: "Many in the sciences
and engineering may doubt that "dabbling"
outsiders can be serious contributors
[to new knowledge]" (p. 3). However,
artists around the world are establishing
their own research agendas and labs. With
the support of such organizations as Leonardo,
ANAT, Arts Catalyst and the Welcome Trust
they will discover new things and spawn
new technological innovations if for no
other reason than bringing a different
mind-set and creativity to existing problems.
The journal is illustrated with both good
quality colour and black & white photographs,
and the cover is simply a stunner. At
first glance, I thought the cover was
a holographic image but the editorial
explains that this 3D imagery is known
as "lenticular" printing. This
is no Escher-like illusion; things actually
move and change as the viewer moves his
or her head.
To celebrate YLEMs 20th anniversary,
eighty members exhibited one work each
at the SomArts Gallery, examples of these
works are reproduced in this journal.
The works included installations, sculptures,
photographs, electronic jewellery, and
digital prints.
My only criticism is that the journal
is a bit too slim, almost anorexic. I
think it could have benefited from one
or two decent length critical essays to
go with the terrific graphics. However,
I get the feeling from this journal that
YELM is a vibrant, cutting-edge organization
interested in establishing links with
similar organizations and interested individuals
around the world to further the true interaction
between science and art.