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The James R. Smail Natural History and Science Gallery was established in honor of James Smail, a beloved Biology professor and department chair, who died in 1993.  The mission of the Gallery is to communicate science in a primarily visual format.   All exhibits must meet three criteria.  The content must involve science, natural history, or mathematics.  The exhibit must have a strong educational component .  And, the exhibit must be visually striking.

Each year, a Department in the Science Division organizes an exhibit, which is mounted in the gallery for the entire academic year.  In many cases, the artist is invited and participates in the opening of an exhibit.  The gallery was created during the renovation of Macalester’s Science building during the mid-1990s.  With the generous help from alumni, friends, and family, a Smail Gallery endowment was created, which pays for the costs associated with the exhibits.

Dances and Ceremonies: The Inner World of Cells

Julie Newdoll

Julie Newdoll is an artist from California who interprets biological molecules and mechanisms in metaphors of mythologies and ceremonies. Her exhibit at Macalester included a series of five kimonos Newdoll painted to represent each of five senses - hearing, sight, taste, touch and smell.  Known molecular receptors and cells involved in our perception of the world were folded into the form of the traditional kimono.  The other series represented in the show included paintings that riff off the structures of DNA and proteins - the essential molecules of life.  Rather than amino acids and nucleotides - Newdoll's molecules are composed of tiny human figures, some with exuberant bunches of flowers in hand, holding hands in a dance of life.  Curator:  Devavani Chatterjea, Biology.
                             

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Comments and questions to Mark Davis davis@macalester.edu