Some aspects of modern society seem to have been ripped straight from science fiction pieces. Do they deliver everything that was promised by these artists?
This year’s Merrimack College Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) student exhibit, Science Fact x Science Fiction, currently on view at the College’s McCoy Gallery, seeks to examine this question in a sobering commentary on contemporary life.
Upon entering the exhibit, viewers are greeted by “Stained,” a floor-to-ceiling piece made from yarn, craft beads and floral rings by Carly Taylor ’25, an art and art history and graphic design major.
“The strain depicted is assumed to be Streptococcus pyogenes (commonly associated with strep throat), though the color scheme reflects the bacterial structure of Staphylococcus aureus,” the artist stated. “The colors represent the Gram-positive and Gram-negative components of the bacteria…Pink indicates the negative portions, while purple represents the positive portions.”
Ally Lewis, the McCoy Gallery Curatorial Committee administrator, said the piece was “incredible.”
“It looks like this beautiful, amazing creature floating in the back of the gallery,” she said. “It’s a feast for the eyes – a big, beautiful and fanciful piece of what’s a very scientific practice.”
Julia Hamilton ’25, an environmental studies major and art minor, blended her two studies together to create “The Plight of the Bees.” The piece features over 50 bee sculptures made out of yarn, metal wire and plastic wrap. Half are suspended from the ceiling while the others lay on the floor below.
“This piece aims to raise awareness about the endangered status of bees, which play a vital role in our ecosystem,” Hamilton explained. “Bees are essential for pollination, supporting biodiversity and sustaining food supplies. Their decline is a crisis that impacts us all, and we must act together to address this urgent issue.”
The piece was Hamilton’s final project for her Introduction to 3D Design course last year.
“It’s really meticulous,” said Jonathan Latiano, assistant professor and director of the studio arts program. “It took Julia hundreds of hours to make. I think she was really able to capture this epidemic that’s happening to bee populations around the world. She’s also applying her past research and what she wants to do for a career into the piece.”
Latiano said he was inspired to curate Science Fact x Science Fiction after recognizing how many students were both interested and anxious about the natural world and its future.
“At the same time, I noticed a lot of students making works about hard sciences – biology, geology, space exploration,” he continued. “We thought, ‘What if we put these two ideas together?’”
Lewis said there was no shortage of students looking to show off their work.
“Seventeen students participated this year, up from 12 last year,” she said. “We did get students participating who are not in the VPA program. As we start to have more dedicated student shows we’re seeing more students show interest in what we’re doing. We’re in a really encouraging spot right now for the art program.”
Next month, the McCoy Gallery will host more than 120 pieces from 50 artists associated with Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Mass.
“We think it will be the biggest opening reception we’ve ever had on Friday, Feb. 21,” said Latiano. “We see this as the start of a new exciting partnership.”
