Sunnydown Synaptic is an innovative outreach project & exhibition which brought together neuroscience, electronic engineering and visual arts for a dynamic series of workshops with students from Sunnydown School in Surrey. A glass and light installation – Synaptic - in the Old Operating Theatre’s Herb Garret, arising from the workshop programme, will be open to the public (Fridays & Saturdays only) from 12th November 2021 - 29th January 2022.
Museum & Exhibition open Fri + Sat 10.30am – 5.00pm (last admission 4.15pm).
To book in advance go to: https://oldoperatingtheatre.com/visiting-us/
Sunnydown Synaptic is an innovative outreach project & exhibition which brought together neuroscience, electronic engineering and visual arts for a dynamic series of workshops with students from Sunnydown School in Surrey. A glass and light installation – Synaptic – in the Old Operating Theatre’s Herb Garret, arising from the workshop programme.
Sunnydown Synaptic captures the unique perspectives and experiences of students with communication and interaction needs through their own exploration of brain anatomy, cell connections and circuitry using sculpture, movement, collage, robotics and lasers.
These workshops and installation are a collaboration between artist Charlie Murphy, engineer Robin Bussell, scientists Dr Leigh Wilson, Professor Richard Wingate, PhD students Sally Horton and Sara Ratti of the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at King’s College London, and language and learning specialist, Jo Wood of Sunnydown School.
The installation, created from upcycled laboratory glass and student programmed laser displays, lodged in the rafters of the unique Herb Garret museum, creatively transforms principles, processes and materials used in research labs to illuminate how brain cells connect and communicate. The dramatic artwork showcases how students imagine their own neural connections as electrifying, intricate light trails, drawn with robotic lasers.
The project was designed to forge valuable exchanges between science, art, engineering and young students. These activities highlight the relevance of creative engagement and its importance in understanding and refining the stories that explain and clarify research into Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Sunnydown Synaptic convincingly demonstrates how science and art interactions can act as compelling and effective vehicles for students to express opinions, feelings and reflections about their own experiences and current research into brain development and neurodiversity.
The Sunnydown Synaptic project is part of the Mediculture Festival and is kindly supported by Kings’ Small Public Engagement grant & the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Team London Bridge, SC1, The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garrett, Sunnydown School, The Artists Agency & Chemglassware Ltd.
Watch the recording of the Online Panel Discussion Event which took place on Tuesday 30th Nov ‘What Can Science offer the Arts?’ part of the Mediculture Festival, a celebration of health, chaired by Professor Richard Wingate
Dr Leigh Wilson – Public Engagement Manager at The Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, at King's College London
Charlie Murphy - Multidisciplinary artist based in London, UK, whose work includes photography, sculpture, video and participatory events
Dr Ali Hossaini - Co director, National Gallery X, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Department of Engineering, King's College London
Yinka Danmole – Cultural Producer with Thamesmead Cygnet Square & Nano Neighbourhood with Laurie Ramsell - representing young people as Yinka develops young talent through his brand 'Future Curious'