A full review of this book, written by Dino Jaroszynski and Brian McNeil from Strathclyde University, appears in the July issue of Physics World.
Strange and Charmed is an exciting examination of the roles and methods of scientists and artists, and the outcomes and consequences of their work. Through a collection of essays by artists, historians and scientists, the book examines - in substantial depth for such a slim volume - the interface and common areas between science and art. Some of the language used is, however, not what scientists are normally exposed to, and does require the reader to concentrate in places. And as its subtitle indicates, the emphasis of the book is very much contemporary modern art.
The editor, Sian Ede, who is an assistant director for arts at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, provides an excellent historical background up to Post-Modernism and gives an exceptionally clear and illuminating overview of the different vocabularies of artists and scientists. However, it is interesting to note that the general public seems just as estranged from contemporary art as it does from science.
The book also contains an extensive bibliography and references to organizations promoting art--science collaborations.