​Anatomy Table & #Infodemic

Anatomy Table Project lead: Sean Caulfield  |  Advisors:  Tim Caulfield and Johan Holst
#Infodemic Artistic Collaborators: Sean Caulfield and Sue Colberg  |  Advisor: Tim Caulfield

Anatomy Table: Silkscreen and digital printing on drafting film, plexi and Photo Tex, 2017.
#Infodemic: Silkscreen and digital printing on drafting film, plexi and Photo Tex, 2021.
Responding to historic anatomical references, I work to create images that speak to the biology of the body but which, at the same time, have an imagined, nonsensical quality, indicating to viewers that the drawings are not accurate representations of human anatomy. In this way, I hope to point to the gap that exists between empirical / scientific representations, and more emotional and culturally charged expressions of the body. It is vital to educate people about scientific/biomedical research in order to counter pseudo-science and to foster trust in health sciences, but it is also important to be respectful of the fact that perceptions of our bodies come from multiple sources beyond science, and that different cultural perspectives and beliefs need to be acknowledged. In producing this work I do not intend to resolve this complex tension, but rather create a space of contemplation for viewers to reflect on issues related to vaccination and the body.
Rethinking "Anatomy Table" in the Era of Covid-19
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One of the primary areas of focus in creating The Anatomy Table was to explore the loss of public trust in science, as well as misinformation surrounding science-informed interventions in health care, such as vaccination. From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic these issues took on a heightened urgency, as misinformation about the virus was shared on social media and other media outlets. With the much-welcomed rollout of COVID-19 vaccines the need to counter the spread of misinformation related to their safety and effectiveness continues to be an urgent issue, as uptake of vaccines slows in many communities across Canada.

 
#Infodemic

In response to these issues a second collaborative work was initiated, #Infodemic, which is an artist’s book project made up of text and image pairings. The project is the result of an interdisciplinary exchange between Sean Caulfield, Professor in the Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta, Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair and Director of the Health Law Institute, University of Alberta, and Associate Professor Sue Colberg, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta. The images in #Infodemic were first shared on social media in the hope they would make people stop and think before hitting ‘retweet’ or ‘share,’ potentially spreading misinformation about COVID-19. More broadly the #Infodemic project is also an attempt to explore creatively the sense of uncertainty and anxiety that has arisen out of the COVID-19 crisis.

— Sean Caulfield, August 2021
#Infodemic book