In 1998, ANAT initiated Scientific Serendipity, a program which focussed on the interaction between art and science, providing a framework for the development of projects and commissions which directly engage with science, scientific visualisation techniques and technologies. This project initiated a number of residencies/research projects for Australian artists hosted by Australian and international scientific organisations. The aim of the residencies was to investigate the discrete discourses surrounding sciences and media arts and encourage the generation of unexpected and ‘alchemic’ outcomes.

Four residencies were held over 1999 – 2001. The host organisation provided a work space, some technical support and the critical context of a science research community. ANAT provided artist fees, materials support and some travel and living expenses. Three of the residencies (Oron Catts & Ionat Zurrr, Justine Cooper and Adam Donovan) were hosted in science institutions and the fourth by David Rogers was conducted independently with some support from members of the scientific community.

The program was initially conceived as part of the extended programming series deep immersion, developed in collaboration with Francesca da Rimini.

The deep immersion series also included deep immersion: creative collaboration, a series of online virtual collaborative residencies; deep immersion: regional realities a program which looked to develop networks between artists in Australia and Asia; and deep immersion: theology, a experimental research thread (led by Samara Mitchell) examining the crossroads of science, technology, ethics and religion within contemporary cultural practices and social structures.

deep immersion: scientific serendipity was further developed and refined in collaboration with Honor Harger and co-curated with Linda Cooper.

More information about the scientific serendipity residencies is available here.

A publication documenting the program, edited by Julianne Pierce, artist interviews conducted by Kathy Cleland plus illustrations, statements from host organisations, and with contributions by Linda Cooper, Terry Cutler and a commentary by Rich Gold is available to read on the ANAT web site here.