Pippa Roberts: About Fabien Oefner - Projects that Bring Together Art and Science

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while. I've been writing - but travelling a lot. I'm now paying Gill to type my scripts and stories, as I've suddenly realised that the brake on my work is actually the amount of time it takes me to type something. (I'm only a self taught typist, and could be much faster.) I also have Pauline, managing my admin, and work is coming in quite steadily. I think I'm the sort of person who works well as part of a team, so these arrangements suit me.

As I'm writing plays and stories with real science in them I am naturally very interested in any other projects that bring together art and science. A new TED talk has been posted today, that brings them together in the most stunning way. Photographer, Fabien Oefner, takes photos of crystals interacting with sound waves; paint mixing with magnetic liquid, and whisky catching fire - though he stops after one demo as he says a lot of people would argue he should be drinking the whisky. He's fun. :D The video is well worth watching. Have a look at:

http://on.ted.com/oefner

Now, I'd better get back to work, or maybe some serious relaxation. I had an incredibly long day yesterday - and the day before (6.30am to 8.30pm) travelling around on public transport, chasing poetry events in little villages and towns. :D) They've been a great couple of days, but I have to admit to being slightly tired!

See you all again soon,

Pippa x

Mark Lorch's Periodic Table - A Map of the Underground for Chemists :)

Hi everyone,

You may have discovered the Guardian's excellent science blogs. They cover all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects. Today the blog post was written by Mark Lorch, the scientist who worked with me on the play and novel, 'Investigation: Haunted House'.

This is the link:

http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/sep/03/underground-map-elements-periodic-table

It was devised for Mark's son, Sebastian, who is mad on trains - so it is not too complicated or 'clever' - and there is a jargon buster, to explain any difficult vocabulary.

I've tried to upload the image, but failed miserably. Do have a look at it. If there are any students of chemistry reading this - it may even help you to remember relationships and symbols.

Good luck! :)

Pippa

Shakespeare Plays Inspire a New Script in Poetry (Blank Verse) and I Prepare Proposals for Film Scripts.


Hello everybody!

I'm not sure what to focus on today. As usual everything is very exciting and fun, but that stuff you live off - the hard cash - is taking a long time to come in, even from projects that are long completed. At present I'm putting together three proposals for film scripts... but that's a real shot in the dark. Two different theatre directors have told me that I have a filmic imagination, so I would like to use it. :)

I'm also working on my play in poetry (blank verse). It's a big learning experience, but I'm loving it.

And finally - a publisher has asked to read the novel that I wrote with research chemist, Mark Lorch. It's a small publisher, but they're in the same area that the accompanying play has been touring, so fingers very tight crossed!

I won't write more as I'm pretty tired (as usual after the weekend!) I've been out, walking in the country and sharing meals with friends, and this evening I've watched the film of Henry V, with a neighbour. (I have a perfect excuse to lose myself in Shakespeare now. He's been the love of my life from childhood!... well, along with a few other people.)

Goodnight all,

Pippa