Trail cams, surveys, and billboards – a few of the tools artist Leila Armstrong is using to engage the public in her art-based research project, Backyard Wilderness. In this episode, we discuss how this project helps us reflect on our relationship with nature, how science methodology feeds art methodology and vice-versa, and how art leads us to a better understanding of urban ecology.

Where is the art? Donald Lawerence's artwork, which he refers to as world's most corrugated camera obscura, provokes a discussion of technology, art, science, and the psychology of perception. Lawerence's camera obscura shows us that we cannot separate art from our experience of it.

In part 2 of this episode, PhD student Maria Madacky describes her work engaging new immigrants from the community in art making and social change. Maria's research looks at art as a tool for understanding the world around you and as an inherently healing activity.

In part one of this episode, we talk to PhD researcher Miranda Lucas about her study of human behaviour in art galleries. Miranda uses the psychological theory of 'affordances' to help explain surprising and not-so-surprising observations of people interacting in gallery spaces. In part two, we will be talking to another PhD researcher, Maria Madacky. Is this the first time you've listened to this podcast? We recommend starting with episode one.

Can flying a kite be art? Absolutely. Josie, Louise, and Christine discuss Alva Noe's book Strange Tools: Art and Human Nature in connection with brilliant artworks by Ed Pien and others. Visit our website lichenlab.ca to see the artworks and show notes.

What is Level 2: Lichen Lab? In our first episode, listeners get a tour of the 'lab', including the artists, academics, and ideas involved. Featuring: Gunnhildur Hauksdóttir, Ed Pien, Merrell-Ann S. Phare, Lisa Hirmer, Jen Budney, Donald Lawrence, and Tiffany Muller-Myrdahl.