"Thermal Reverberations" brings together a community of artists, musicians, scientists and thinkers to explore our brain’s amazing ability to change, particularly emphasizing the need to shift our attitudes and actions to protect our planet. The centerpiece is a large polygonal brain sculpture covered with lenticular images that change as viewers move around it, symbolizing the brain's adaptability. The sculpture's base features thermochromic material that reacts to touch, illustrating the impact of individual actions on the environment. Nearby, transparent brain models lit from within respond to viewers' body heat, changing color to emphasize our shared responsibility in shaping the world. Opposite these, glass brain forms illuminated by LED lights cast intricate light patterns, mimicking neural activity and highlighting the fragility and resilience of the mind. Complementing these visual elements, a soundtrack inspired by neuroscience research plays from beneath the sculpture, creating a sensory experience that unites art, science, and environmental awareness.

We want to acknowledge Jeremy Barker for his contributions to the life-sized clear resin brain sculptures, thermal camera kit, and LED functionality, as well as John McEnroe for his consultation on the geometric brain sculpture. Special thanks to Tracy Woodard, Stephen Wood, Graham Coleman, Robert Schaller, Jeff McGriff, Michael Britton, Preston Poe, Emmaline Trau, Ernesto Gomez, SaVana Cameron, and Winston Westerman for their work on the audio collage, and to Dr. Carolyn Yackel, Matt Williams, and Lisa Schnellinger for their expertise in sculpture construction and lighting. Additionally, we appreciate Amanda Jacob, Britney Ward, Jarildy Javier, Richard Bell, Tana Pottorf, Abi Grassler, Kyle Thomas, Leila Pascual, William McCallum, Amartya Pradhan, Eli Chian, Jessicia Lilly, and Girl Scout Troop 22207 for their valuable image and data contributions to the exhibit.

About the Team

Dr. Amanda Jacob, a research scientist in the Biology Department at Emory University, has a wide range of scientific interests, from neuroplasticity to motor control to developing new neurotechnology. Amanda is the Associate Director of User Training and Operation for the Center for Advanced Motor Bioengineering Research, Operation Manager of the Simons-Emory International Consortium on Motor Control, and Operations Manager of the Collaboration on Motor Planning, Execution and Resilience based at both Western University in Canada and Emory University. Amanda works in Dr. Samuel Sober's laboratory and currently studies vocal motor production in rats. Amanda is passionate about combining arts and science with an eye toward public education. and has presented at the Atlanta Science Festival, Songbird Nature Center, and Science Gallery Atlanta

Craig Coleman is an artist who works in photography, installation, and digital media. He received his BFA from Florida State University and his MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a Professor of Art at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. "My work is inspired by ideas and processes from alternative process photography, experimental film, music, electronics, and the Fluxus Art Movement. The experiences I create are rooted in traditions of photographic processes but take an expanded approach to photography to realize their final presentation. Coleman's photographs, mixed media works, and installations have been shown in many venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (Atlanta, GA), Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art (New York), Asheville Art Museum (NC), the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (Boulder, CO), SOIL Gallery (Seattle, WA), The Atlantic Center for the Arts (FL), Art Fields (Lake City, SC), Down Arts Centre, (Downpatrick Northern Ireland), The Arvada Center for the Arts (Arvada, CO), the Villa Croce Museum in Genoa, Italy, and most recently the Emily Harvey Foundation gallery, Venice, Italy.