Biography

Prof. Dr. Jill Scott is Professor for Art and Science in the Institute Cultural Studies in the Arts, at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZhdK) in Zürich and Founder of the Artists-in-Labs Program, which places artists from all disciplines into physics, computer, engineering and life science labs to learn about scientific research and make creative interpretations. She is also Vice Director of the Z-Node PHD program on art and science at the University of Plymouth, UK-a program with 16 international research candidates. Her recent publications include: Neuromedia: Art and Science Research together with Esther Stöckli, The Transdiscourse book series: Volume 1: Mediated Environments, 2011, Artists-in-labs: Networking in the Margins, 2011 and Artists-in-labs:  Processes of Inquiry: 2006 Springer/Vienna/New York, Artists-in-labs Processes of Inquiry both from Springer/Vienna/New York. Her education: PhD, University of Wales (UK) MA USF, San Francisco, as well as a Degree in Education (Uni Melbourne) and a Degree in Art & Design (Victoria College of the Arts). In the last 10 years her art works involve the construction of interactive media and electronic sculptures based on studies she has conducted in residence in life science labs at the University of Zurich. ( Featured in an exhibition and publication entitled Neuromedia at KULTURAMA Science Musuem in Zurich). These particularly relate to the somatic sensory system and artificial skin (e-skin) 2003-2007, molecular and retinal behaviour in relation to human eye disease (The Electric Retina-2008), nerve damage in relation to UV radiation, in the skin and on the landscape (Dermaland- 2009) and Somabook (2010) about the problems in the development of neural networks in the pre-natal stage. Currently, she is working on two new projects about the neural systems of hearing and taste, inspired by a residency with neuroscientists at SymbioticA, University of Western Australia.

Research Project: AURALROOTS

AURALROOTS is a quasi-real interactive sculpture inspired by the behaviour of the outer hair cells and inner hair cells and auditory nerves of the cochlea. It combines tactile and augmented technologies with the strategies of scale to allow the viewer to hear biological and traditional stories about the way we hear on a visceral level (in the womb), on a survival level (in the landscape and on a communication level (tests in the science lab). This exploration also triggers augmented reality, visuals that can be seen on screens and changes in a display of supporting hair cells in vitro. (Collaborators: The Auditory Lab: UWA)