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Drawing to Extend Waddington’s Epigenetic Landscape

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Anderson, Gemma 
Verd, Berta 
Jaeger, Johannes 

Abstract

We describe a collaboration between an artist, a mathematician, and a biologist, which examines the potential of drawing for understanding biological process. As a case study, it considers C. H. Waddington’s powerful visual representation of the “epigenetic landscape,” whose purpose it is to unify research in genetics, embryology, and evolutionary biology. We explore the strengths, but also the limitations of Waddington’s landscape and attempt to transcend the latter through a collaborative series of exploratory images. Through careful description of this drawing process, we touch on the epistemological consequences it had on all participants, artist and scientist alike.

Description

Keywords

36 Creative Arts and Writing, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5002 History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields

Journal Title

Leonardo

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0024-094X
1530-9282

Volume Title

Publisher

MIT Press - Journals

Rights

All rights reserved