Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

For the final session of “Extraordinary Processes,” a seminar offered jointly by the Program in Visual Arts and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, students gathered in the Lucas Gallery at 185 Nassau Street to test the strength of bridges they made out of ash lumber. Created by Visual Arts Program Director Joe Scanlan and Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sigrid Adriaenssens, the course nudged students beyond their comfort zones at the boundary of art and engineering.

“Arts students bristled at the measuring and utility that was woven into the class,” Scanlan said. “Engineers were dubious about discussions of aesthetics.”

To learn more about the idea behind “Extraordinary Processes” and the environmental crisis that provided material for the course, read more on the University homepage…