Janani Balasubramanian
[artist & researcher]
Bio/CV
[artist & researcher]
Bio/CV
Artist Statement
Grants/Fellowships/Awards
Contact
Art Works
Research
Teaching
Consulting
In addition to the creative research I carry out for each artistic project, I conduct independent and collaborative research in art-science practice. Select projects are described below.
Undisciplined
Undisciplined: Strategies for Radical Co-Creation Between Artists & Scientists is a book project by me and my long-time physicist collaborator. Undisciplined both makes the case for the urgency and necessity of co-creative practices between artists and scientists, and offers practical and imaginative strategies for such collaborations to thrive. We have found, over our years of co-creative practice, that these labels (“artist” and “scientist”), while a helpful launching point for describing our respective expertise, are incomplete. When we work together, we bring the best of our disciplinary practices with us, and also open up new ways of knowing and making that are only possible through rigorous co-creation.
In Undisciplined, we speak from our position as two people with expertise coming together, learning one another’s language and way of practicing, and finding the fertile and extraordinary overlap. In the introduction of our book, we lay out what we mean by artist-scientist co-creation: 1) a long-term, ongoing exchange of strategies and practices, 2) bold exploration of research and creative questions that exist both within and outside the boundaries of traditional disciplines, and 3) artmaking as a medium of worldmaking and research.
Our expected publication date is early 2025.
Creative Physics
Creative Physics is a collaboration between myself and two physicist collaborators. It is a methodology for introductory physics and astronomy teaching and learning rooted in collaboration, justice, and imagination. Through boldly cross-disciplinary and inquiry-based teaching, we aim to close equity gaps in student belonging, persistence, and resilience in physics. Our core principles are as follows:
Our project includes an overall framing and methodology; training hubs for physics instructors; and curricula for a full suite of introductory physics and astronomy teaching.
Undisciplined
Undisciplined: Strategies for Radical Co-Creation Between Artists & Scientists is a book project by me and my long-time physicist collaborator. Undisciplined both makes the case for the urgency and necessity of co-creative practices between artists and scientists, and offers practical and imaginative strategies for such collaborations to thrive. We have found, over our years of co-creative practice, that these labels (“artist” and “scientist”), while a helpful launching point for describing our respective expertise, are incomplete. When we work together, we bring the best of our disciplinary practices with us, and also open up new ways of knowing and making that are only possible through rigorous co-creation.
In Undisciplined, we speak from our position as two people with expertise coming together, learning one another’s language and way of practicing, and finding the fertile and extraordinary overlap. In the introduction of our book, we lay out what we mean by artist-scientist co-creation: 1) a long-term, ongoing exchange of strategies and practices, 2) bold exploration of research and creative questions that exist both within and outside the boundaries of traditional disciplines, and 3) artmaking as a medium of worldmaking and research.
Our expected publication date is early 2025.
Creative Physics
Creative Physics is a collaboration between myself and two physicist collaborators. It is a methodology for introductory physics and astronomy teaching and learning rooted in collaboration, justice, and imagination. Through boldly cross-disciplinary and inquiry-based teaching, we aim to close equity gaps in student belonging, persistence, and resilience in physics. Our core principles are as follows:
- We believe the practice of physics can be joyful, abundant, and inclusive, and everyone deserves the opportunity to build strong connections with the natural and computational worlds.
- We encourage research collaboration over competition.
- We include insights, texts, and strategies from art and humanities to inspire personal connection, greater retention, and multi-faceted perspectives on physical phenomena.
- We structure assignments and learning around creative inquiry, independent research, and collaborative projects.
Our project includes an overall framing and methodology; training hubs for physics instructors; and curricula for a full suite of introductory physics and astronomy teaching.