kitset 2.0

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Kitset 2.0 is an extension and development of Kitset, the researcher's first iteration of a three-dimensional drawing system. The original Kitset was created for an art-science workshop and exhibition on phylogeny (the evolutionary development and diversification of species) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. The piece's geometry was based on the underlying tiling pattern developed by British mathematician Roger Penrose and its purpose was to explore the boundaries between drawing, model-making and spatial construction. It grew from the researcher's ongoing collaborations with Scottish artist and scientist Hamer Dodds and his work with UK-based ASCUS (art science collaborative). RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The Kitset 2.0 modules were still based around Penrose geometry but they were adapted to make them meaningful in a specific scientific context. The researcher-artist also added a secondary timber colour to insert another dimension to the phylogenic reading of the work. The idea of nodes, speciation and the architecture of an evolving system is visualised in an innovative structure that can be read by both scientists and artists, adding to their mutual understanding. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this research is demonstrated by its multiple iterations in prestigious international forums and by its interdisciplinary heft. Kitset debuted at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (widely regarded as being in the top four scientific gardens in the world). In 2010 it was also shown at the University of Oxford and presented as a paper/interactive project at an ecology/architecture conference at University of Sheffield. The researcher-artist's 'Phylogeny: Kitset' appeared in the peer-reviewed journal 'Ubiquity: The Journal of Pervasive Media' (2012). Kitset 2.0 was selected for inclusion in the curated group show at Edinburgh City Council-run City Art Centre as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival.