Arts Unplugged

Science of the Very, Very Small 

March 9, 2022, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Watch the event recording! 

The “science of the very, very small” offers possible solutions for everything from the energy crisis to disease. Ideas that once existed only in science fiction are becoming reality and Cornell scientists are leading the way in nanoscale and quantum materials research. In this virtual Arts Unplugged, we explored some of these exciting innovations – and their ramifications for human society. 

Presentations:

• Welcome - Dean Ray Jayawardhana, Harold Tanner Dean of Arts and Sciences
• Introduction - Natalie Wolchover, Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist Fellow, moderator
• Walking nanorobots with brains – Itai Cohen, professor of physics
• Manipulating genes with nanotech – Ailong Ke, professor of molecular biology and genetics, and Julia Markovits, associate professor of philosophy
• Discovering the particles that define us – Liam McAllister, professor of physics, and Peter Wittich, professor of physics and director of the Laboratory of Elementary Particle Physics 
• Intermission: Creating origami robots demonstration – Michael Reynolds, M.S. ’17, Ph.D. ’21, postdoctoral associate, Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering; and announcement of “Envisioning the Future” contest winners
• The interplay of science and fiction – Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor, Emeritus; Liliana Colanzi, M.A. ’14, Ph.D. ’17, assistant professor of Romance Studies; and Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, associate professor of literatures in English
• Designing worlds at the nanoscale – Eun-Ah Kim, professor of physics; Brad Ramshaw, The Dick and Dale Reis Johnson Assistant Professor of physics; and John Marohn, professor of chemistry and chemical biology
• Audience Q&A

An Evening with A.D. White Professor at Large Wynton Marsalis and the Cornell Wind Symphony

Cornell welcomed Pulitzer and Grammy-winning artist Wynton Marsalis as A.D. White Professor-at-Large for a concert with the Cornell Wind Symphony on Nov. 6, 2021.  The concert at Bailey Hall was conducted by Barbara & Richard T. Silver '50, MD '53 Assistant Professor of Music James Spinazzola, along with Marsalis and his rhythm section. They performed a wide-ranging program including ragtime, blues, and jazz. Marsalis also offered a talk, "The University’s Place in Promoting American Democracy in the Disciplines."

Odyssey in Ithaca

From tales of sinking ships to murderous fights to bedroom shenanigans, a cast of 75 readers told the story of Homer’s “Odyssey” during a daylong event in Klarman Hall, our inaugural Arts Unplugged event. The reading, spearheaded by Athena Kirk, assistant professor of classics, featured speakers from the community and local colleges, state and local representatives, as well as special audio segments from Annie Lewandowski, senior lecturer in music.

Read more about The Odyssey in Ithaca

Words from a Bear

Cornell’s newest film professor, Jeff Palmer, shared advice for creating a Sundance documentary and screened his latest feature film during our second Arts Unplugged event at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. “Words from a Bear,” Palmer’s first feature film, explores the creative works of N. Scott Momaday. Our event also included a talk by Gus Palmer, professor emeritus at the University of Oklahoma, and one of the narrators of the film.

Read more about Words from a Bear

Cornell According to Sound

Our third event in the series featured a sonic look at campus, brought to us by Chris Hoff ’02 and Sam Harnett, creators of The World According to Sound. The duo spent the fall semester finding and recording sounds across the university – from fish and frogs, to Latin speakers and dirt. Along with four performances at the Schwartz Center, listeners were able to visit five pop-up listening stations across campus to help them become more aware about the role and impact of sound in their lives.

Read more about Cornell According to Sound