Nobel laureate to speak on art, science of ceramics

A Nobel laureate in chemistry will on April 25 discuss the deep entwinement of art and science in the field of ceramics during a lecture at UW–Madison.

During his talk, “Chemistry and Ceramics: Shared Ground, Common Fire,” Roald Hoffmann, a chemist at Cornell University, will describe how the fire in a potter’s kiln chemically transforms clay, and how such transformations are an inherently poetic feature of the art form of clay-glazing.

In 1981, Hoffmann shared the Nobel Prize for work revealing that theories in quantum mechanics can help predict the course of chemical reactions. Hoffmann is also a published poet and playwright.

The talk will be in conjunction with an ongoing ceramics exhibit entitled “Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood” by artist Don Reitz. The event is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy and the Elvehjem Museum of Art.

“Chemistry and Ceramics: Shared Ground Common Fire” will take place at 5.30 p.m. on April 25, 2005 in Room L140 of the Elvehjem Museum of Art, 800 University Avenue. For more information call (608) 262-0538.