Prior to Cortada’s presentation, Evelyn Gaiser, Cortada’s science collaborator, joins him in a meeting with Dr. John Holdren, the president’s science advisor .

Cortada delivers talk to members of the president’s administration in the OSTP Conference Room. Sitting near him on a shelf is a piece of the Allende Meteorite, the oldest known natural object.

Engaging Science

On April 14th, 2015, Xavier Cortada visited the White House to deliver a presentation to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp) on his use of art to engage science, scientists and the broader community.

Cortada discussed methods he has developed in his artistic practice to inform and engage communities on important environmental concerns, including works addressing biodiversity loss (Biscayne National Park and Miami Science Museum), global climate change (NSF Antarctic residency) and sea level rise (FIU Florida Coastal Everglades LTER).

Prior to the talk, Cortada –joined by FIU Professor Evelyn Gaiser, his science collaborator– met with the president’s Science Advisor, Dr. John Holdren, in his office. Cortada urged Holdren to integrate the arts into American science: Scientific research can be enhanced by adding artistic perspectives to the problem-solving equation.