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The disciplines of both art and science seek to explain the world around us, but they do so from distinctly different perspectives.

One of the many fascinating aspects of art and art history is that a single work of art records elements of both the artist and his or her culture, as neither can be entirely separated from the other. Objects of art from any given time period provide a wealth of information for historians, illuminating prevalent ideas and revealing nuanced attitudes and values of a culture. Artists have always worked not only with the material and technology of their time but also in terms of the pervading thoughts of society.

Contemporary artists, such as those represented within this exhibition, are no exception. In the constellation of disciplines that shape culture today, little has had more impact than advancements in science and technology. It is no surprise that many artists gravitate toward these tools and themes.
For more than 30 years, the National Academy of Sciences has exhibited and collected artwork that explores relationships among the arts and sciences. Traditionally displayed throughout the NAS headquarters on Constitution Avenue, which is currently under restoration, these objects provide a sampling of the range of styles and approaches that artists take in preserving the ideas of science today.

Collection highlights featured include works by Alfredo Arreguin, Robert Berks, Jill Greenberg, Vik Muniz, Tim Rollins, and Mike and Doug Starn.