This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
If you are in NYC in the month of November and your late night socializing takes you to Times Square, be certain to time it so you can see, from 11:57pm to midnight (EST, of course), a short film by Noah Hutton, a film director who studied both neuroscience and art history, called Brain City, which features fantastic brain images. It also ties in nicely with the Society for Neuroscience annual conference.
“Drawing on imagery from the leading neuroscience labs around the world, Brain City is a journey through the vast avenues of the human brain. Displaying brand new digital simulations, fly-throughs, and microscopic images of neurons from several major neuroscientific endeavors including Eyewire (the addicting (Joanne’s opinion) citizen science/crowd sourced computer game that is helping to map the brain), The Human Brain Project (the controversial 10-year project to simulate the workings of the brain via supercomputers), CLARITY (the hydrogel process that creates a transparent brain for imaging), and Neurodome (planetarium style films about the brain), the array of screens in Times Square will surround the viewer in the latest visual reconstructions of the brain, providing a sense of being surrounded by complex systems, inside and out.”
(parenthetical descriptions of projects added by Joanne)
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For your viewing pleasure in case you are not in NYC this month:
This would be phenomenal to see on the screens in Times Square! Check it out if you can.
“Brain City plays every night throughout November 2014 from 11:57 p.m. to midnight on Times Square’s electronic billboards. Midnight Moment, is a monthly presentation by The Times Square Advertising Coalition (TSAC) and Times Square Arts. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.”
Also, do yourself a favor and visit the remarkable Brain City website “…that playfully juxtaposes the gorgeous similarities between the urban landscape and the inner pathways of the human brain.” You’ll discover connections you had never considered before!
If you are using social media and want to talk about the project, whether you see the video in Times Square or just play on the website, use the hashtag is #BrainCityTSq
EyeWire image in Times Square photo is courtesy of eyewitness Jeanne Garbarino (via twitter)