Tuesday 8 November 2011

FIND THE HAUSTORIA!

The people of Galway are invited to participate in a science-inspired art project on display at the Galway Science and Technology Festival Exhibition (27th November, Orbsen Building, NUIG campus) and around the city (starting 21st of November). LATCH ON is a joint venture between a botanist, Anna Pielach (NUIG), and a ceramicist, Veronika Straberger (GMIT). It is a pilot project that forms part of an international initiative called Guerilla Science. It is aimed at the general public in a bid to encourage ‘latching on’ to science.

This collaboration between a scientist and an artist is inspired by the ingenious strategy of native hemiparasitic plants. These plants facilitate ecological balance while clandestinely latching on to roots of vigorous meadow plants (mainly grasses) to steal nutrients. In doing so, the hemiparasites control the growth of dominant plants and enable weaker species to thrive in close proximity and encourage plant diversity.The main focus in Anna Pielach’s botanical research of hemiparasites is a haustorium — this is the underground connection point where the roots of hemiparasites and host plants meet.

‘Latch On’ is a ceramic street installation. Colourful tiles, like haustoria, will latch on to buildings, wrap around lamp posts, lurk around corners, hide on stairways and suck at benches throughout NUI Galway campus and parts of Galway City. These alien clay creatures are determined to break up monotonous rectangularity and encourage multi-coloured, odd-shaped diversity.



This is an image of a haustorium as seen under the microscope. See how many you can spot around the city during the week of the 21st of November. On Sunday, the 27th of November follow them to the Orbsen building at the University College where you can see an interactive display and find out more about hemiparasites and their natural habitats.  





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