Presenter Information

Mary MuehlemannFollow

Major

Environmental Science

Anticipated Graduation Year

2024

Access Type

Open Access

Abstract

Biological Symphony

2022

Mary Clare Muehlemann

American

Class of 2024

Oil Paint

A symphony is only in harmony if all required musical instruments are present. Similar to the biological world, if one essential species, organism, or chemical compound is removed, the environment around it will collapse. Emergent properties allow our world to perform the way it does, and they are essential to the function of the universe. These properties occur when a group of smaller entities come together to make an effective biological system. The collection of matter becomes more complex as one observes the entire system. Whether it is cells, tissues, organisms, or specific species in an environment - it is impossible to escape the importance of emergent properties.

This piece, Biological Symphony, exhibits the basis of all biological relationships. The artwork was inspired by plant species and local ecosystems I observed as a child and how they worked together to provide a peaceful and calming environment. When creating this painting, each biological compound was carefully placed intentionally. Removing one design would compromise the flow of the composition and balance in the local environment. The variety of colors displays the diversity in the natural world and how each organism carries its own set of unique characteristics. No organism is exactly alike in shape, size, and placement. In the painting, one may observe abstracted nymphaeaceae, annelids, lithops, and echinacea leaves. The overall repetition makes the composition feel full, although if one chooses to take a closer look or isolate a portion of the canvas, they may observe that the shapes are not as complex as they initially seem. Creating this piece allowed me to reflect on the importance of emergent properties and how my favorite ecosystems would diminish without their presence.

Comments

Biological Symphony

2022

Mary Clare Muehlemann

American

Class of 2024

Oil Paint

A symphony is only in harmony if all required musical instruments are present. Similar to the biological world, if one essential species, organism, or chemical compound is removed, the environment around it will collapse. Emergent properties allow our world to perform the way it does, and they are essential to the function of the universe. These properties occur when a group of smaller entities come together to make an effective biological system. The collection of matter becomes more complex as one observes the entire system. Whether it is cells, tissues, organisms, or specific species in an environment - it is impossible to escape the importance of emergent properties.

This piece, Biological Symphony, exhibits the basis of all biological relationships. The artwork was inspired by plant species and local ecosystems I observed as a child and how they worked together to provide a peaceful and calming environment. When creating this painting, each biological compound was carefully placed intentionally. Removing one design would compromise the flow of the composition and balance in the local environment. The variety of colors displays the diversity in the natural world and how each organism carries its own set of unique characteristics. No organism is exactly alike in shape, size, and placement. In the painting, one may observe abstracted nymphaeaceae, annelids, lithops, and echinacea leaves. The overall repetition makes the composition feel full, although if one chooses to take a closer look or isolate a portion of the canvas, they may observe that the shapes are not as complex as they initially seem. Creating this piece allowed me to reflect on the importance of emergent properties and how my favorite ecosystems would diminish without their presence.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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Biological Symphony

Biological Symphony

2022

Mary Clare Muehlemann

American

Class of 2024

Oil Paint

A symphony is only in harmony if all required musical instruments are present. Similar to the biological world, if one essential species, organism, or chemical compound is removed, the environment around it will collapse. Emergent properties allow our world to perform the way it does, and they are essential to the function of the universe. These properties occur when a group of smaller entities come together to make an effective biological system. The collection of matter becomes more complex as one observes the entire system. Whether it is cells, tissues, organisms, or specific species in an environment - it is impossible to escape the importance of emergent properties.

This piece, Biological Symphony, exhibits the basis of all biological relationships. The artwork was inspired by plant species and local ecosystems I observed as a child and how they worked together to provide a peaceful and calming environment. When creating this painting, each biological compound was carefully placed intentionally. Removing one design would compromise the flow of the composition and balance in the local environment. The variety of colors displays the diversity in the natural world and how each organism carries its own set of unique characteristics. No organism is exactly alike in shape, size, and placement. In the painting, one may observe abstracted nymphaeaceae, annelids, lithops, and echinacea leaves. The overall repetition makes the composition feel full, although if one chooses to take a closer look or isolate a portion of the canvas, they may observe that the shapes are not as complex as they initially seem. Creating this piece allowed me to reflect on the importance of emergent properties and how my favorite ecosystems would diminish without their presence.