What connects zebrafish to human genetics, and how can art illuminate this shared heritage?
Dans la Mesure / Within Measure explores concepts of evolution, developmental biology, and the complexity of our shared genetic heritage with other life forms. Cutting-edge 3D synchrotron radiation imaging techniques were used to create interactive representations of zebrafish, tiny yet robust model organisms commonly used in genetic medical research for their homologous evolutionary traits to humans.
Breaking new ground in the intersection of art and science, this marks the first time in Canadian history that an artist has been granted synchrotron beam time. With aesthetic experimentation as the primary objective, this project sets a new precedent for how artistic inquiry can enrich scientific understanding.
Visitors can engage with these detailed, interactive 3D models to uncover the unseen beauty of zebrafish anatomy and gain a fresh perspective on our genetic connections to other species.
This exhibition was made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Jean-Sébastien Gauthier and Brian Eames at the Canadian Light Source facility at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine in Saskatoon.
Further reading