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Writer's pictureBrad Burkhart

The Artist in the Lab of X-rays

Updated: Dec 18, 2018


The Artist Sketching in the heart of the Sychrotron

During the third week of November, a research team consisting of Andreas Ney (professor) and Santa Pile (student) from the University of Duisburg in Germany; and Thomas Feggeler (student), from the University of Linz in Austria used the lab to run their experiments. Dr. Ohldag knew them from previous collaborations. He coordinated the team's access to lab equipment and was also present during my visit and most of the week long experiment. This was his last week at the lab as he has now been moved over to the UC Berkeley Linear Accelerator Lab.


Dr. Ohldag, Thomas Feggeler, Dr. Ney and Santa Pile


Placing the Research Sample in X-ray Chamber

Discussing the Experiment

On November 19th & 20th, I spent all day at the lab sitting in an adjacent research station and sketching intuitively. I ate my lunch without leaving the space so I could be entirely immersed in the research environment the entire day. There was a lot of noise in this area from fans the adjacent researcher needed to keep his equipment cool.


Adjacent Research Station

Artist Sketching With Earphones

A series of 4 sketches resulted from the time spent at the lab. It was not immediately clear how they might be related to the research. I am hoping with time that their connection to the research may become evident. All the images will be shared with the research team to gain their reactions.


Sketch #1

Sketch #2

Sketch #3



Sketch #4

Next week, at the end of December, I will be hanging two of my works, which were selected by Dr. Ohldag at my Open Studios this fall, in his new lab at UC Berkeley. One is named already.The other is unnamed, and researchers at the lab will be invited to name it by writing suggestions on provided cards and inserting them into a box. Just before the project show, these names will be evaluated by the artist to decide the final name based on the suggestions.


What's Your Sign?





To Be Named






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