Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

The artist Julia Pollack will host a closing talk for the Art of Science 2026 show. This will be the last evening the show will be on display this year. She will speak about the conversations, the research and the production of the work on display. Pieces for this show were created in partnership with Illinois researchers, whose scientific images were the starting point for these artistic works. From there, Julia Pollack transformed them into the final artwork, guided by conversations with the scientists.

Medically, perfusion is defined as the passage of blood through tissue. Perfusion is the everyday labor of moving oxygen, nutrients, and myriad molecular signals around our bodies, keeping our cells alive. We become acutely aware of the importance of perfusion when blood flow is occluded, and we scramble to diagnose and treat.

Science is perfused by ideas, which are carried from person to person and keep us questioning, studying, and seeking more. This work moves out into the world to affect the institutions of society. In this context, what does healthy perfusion look like? When it is occluded, how can we work to restore it?

Come out and join us!