Science and art may seem worlds apart, but a UF graduate student is fusing the two.
Jorge Pérez Gallego, a third-year fine arts graduate student with a concentration in graphic design, used his doctorate in astronomy to further his advancements in the art world with his “SCIENCESTORE” exhibit, which is opening in UF’s Focus Gallery today.
The gallery, in Fine Arts C, will house Gallego’s exhibit through Nov. 9 and will be open to the public on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The exhibit will be a store that, essentially, sells science, he said.
Gallego will staff the store and discuss the design aspects of science. It will be an interactive performance.
Gallego set up his store exhibit with colorful graphic posters depicting quotes from scientists like Carl Sagan.
These posters and the interactive photo booth are to find out attendees’ ideas on what science and art are separately and together, he said.
Gallego said his purpose for the exhibit is to show visitors that science means more than the commodity it has become.
“I’ll be bothering my clients like a Best Buy guy trying to sell you a printer,” the 32-year-old said. “I want to see how people react and go along with me trying to sell them science in a can.”
Although he won’t actually sell the silver containers labeled with element names and scientific theories, Gallego wants to see others’ viewpoints on science.
Gallego’s concept is unusual, said Brian Slawson, a UF graphic design associate professor.
“Not only is Jorge using this installation as an interactive platform, but he’s also performing within the project,” Slawson said. “That’s not something the typical design student does.”
Jorge Pérez Gallego, 32, sets up for his exhibit “SCIENCESTORE” at the College of Fine Arts’ Focus Gallery on Tuesday. The gallery is located in Fine Arts C.
