In a quiet corner of Summerhall there stands a room full of ideas. Every book has its story and its place in an elaborate tapestry, which conjures up links between (the?) arts and sciences. The walls are lined with high shelves that boast writings of all ages and edges; but the books alone do not make this place special. Rather, it is the people who go there to learn or to share in the flow of ideas that bind it all together. This movement in thought revolves around a man named Colin Sanderson; whose warmth, wisdom and curiosity have created space for us all to explore for ourselves. Welcome to the Artiscience Library.
Upon my initial discovery, I was faced with a man of vast learning (and the white beard to match). After gently gauging my interests, Colin plucked a few choice volumes from the shelves, which I would spend the following months engrossed in. Since then, over a number of conversations, he introduced me to new ways of thinking and approaching life. Over a lifetime, he has gathered a collection of almost 30,000 books, which birthed this library with an important theme for our times. Precious decades of research illuminated his vision; one of shared knowledge and connection, which he has channeled over the years into various organisations and groups. During his time with one such association, Colin coined the word ‘artiscience’ to describe their activities.
But what exactly is ‘artiscience’? Artiscience is an approach to life and works, which can bridge gaps between diverse subjects, while at the same time celebrating their differences. The similarities between a chemist’s experiments and painter’s landscapes, may not be immediately obvious, but the way they work can be linked. A bond with nature can be what inspires scientist and artist alike to strive for something greater. Yet, the processes a person uses are not the only relation between discipline as it could also be a way of thinking. We are practicing artiscience when we see beauty in a mathematical equation or have an idea for an imaginative engineering design. In a world of ever-increasing branches of specialisation, it is essential that we embrace modes that connect the far-flung reaches of human endeavour.
This is one place where the library can play an important role. Upon seeing it for the first time, I was amazed by the range of subjects covered. As someone fascinated by what it means to be human, I was in paradise! Whether your interests lie in architecture, zoology or anything in between, there is bound to be something on those shelves that hooks you. The rich pickings aside, there are fellow treasure hunters who just might introduce you to sparkling new worlds of letter and line. The library attracts people from widely differing countries and backgrounds, existing as a melting-pot of ideas and approaches. It is a place where I continue to learn a lot about myself and other people. Whether for research, discussion, or just like to burrow into a good book, this valuable resource is.
