The art science collaborative (ASCUS), has introduced an exhibition in busy St. James Centre just off Princes Street. The exhibition, which will run from January 20 to February 26 2012, will transform the ASCUS Project Space in the centre into an interesting and vibrant installation where art meets science.

Entitled, "Can art and science save the world?" the aim of the exhibition is to explore the connection between art and science, integrating themes such as climate change, genetics, mathematically arranged fabrics, and birdsong into lively and whimsical art forms.

The exhibition is created with the collaboration of four teams of artists and scientists who work with a variety of media, both visual and auditory.

ASCUS representative Mark Eischeid commented, “With an intellectual history and a cultural infrastructure rich in the arts and sciences, Edinburgh is a fertile ground for art and science collaborations.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for practitioners and researchers throughout Scotland to share ground-breaking work in an accessible and engaging public space.”

Part of the focus on the public is the integration of events into the exhibition. The programme features lectures by both artists and scientists, community discussion groups to encourage further integration between the two fields, social events, and creative workshops.

ASCUS strives to connect between the arts and sciences through community outreach and involvement and is closely tied to the school of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh.

The organisation hopes that through the exhibition, visitors will gain a new perspective towards their community, the environment, and more broadly, the world, as the integration of artists’ and scientists’ work creates a new understanding of the environment, biology, ecology and mathematics, presenting them in an artistic and accessible way.

The exhibition is being funded by donations from both the St. James Shopping Centre and the Edinburgh Beltane – Beacon for Public Engagement and organisers have promised an interesting and dynamic experience.