When we look to history and reflect on which periods propelled humanity forward and into the future, it is often periods where science and art intertwine, which lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Perhaps no other period in history is this more evident than the Renaissance. Some examples of arts and sciences colliding include:

• "De humani corporis fabrica libri septem" by Andreas Vesalius. Vesalius was a Belgian anatomist during the Renaissance who significantly contributed to our understanding of human anatomy. The "De humani corporis fabrica libri septem" featured detailed and anatomically accurate artistic illustrations of the human body, which led to advancements in science and medicine. The collaboration between Vesalius, the draughtsmen, the artists, and the printers – when combined – led to an unprecedented understanding of, and advancements in, science and medicine;
• The Heliocentric model, by mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, proposed that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun. This breakthrough reshaped our understanding of the cosmos and influenced the way that artists subsequently portrayed celestial bodies in their works;
• Michelangelo Buonarroti was one of the most renowned artists of the Renaissance. He was known for his sculptures, including the statue of David and the frescoes adorning the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Many don't know that Michelangelo's anatomical studies – he dissected cadavers and studied the human form – informed his sculptures and resulted in highly accurate depictions of the human body.

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These discoveries at the intersection of the arts, science and technology propelled humanity forward. They allowed culture and knowledge to be created, flourish and thrive. But what all of these people – Vesalius, Copernicus and Buonarroti – have in common are the same things we’ve observed in the people with passion projects who come through Protostars: creativity, curiosity, a deep obsession with their fields of interest and the ability to make connections between seemingly disparate concepts.

People like this are capable of creating magic, and we wanted to share some Protostar projects exploring the intersection of arts, creativity, and STEM:

Anh Van is a biochemical engineer creating an exhibition showcasing art from biomaterials, uniting creators from diverse fields, highlighting the transformative power of materials, and redefining disposable products for sustainability and environmental awareness. She's passionate about exploring novel ways to use mycelium in different contexts. You can check out her website: La Foundary

Celine Goh is a fourth-year commerce student creating AI-assisted children's books for an Indonesian education charity, addressing literacy barriers, promoting eco-tourism, and developing her AI skills to support Caresumatra's mission in remote Northern Indonesia.

Frank Dwyer is an electroacoustic composer who is creating 'Cryptophonics.' A passion project that transforms short-wave radio recordings used for espionage into ambient soundscapes, highlighting their mysterious quality and relevance in a world where privacy invasion has become commonplace. frankdwyer.net

Russell He is a third-year uni student with an interest in creative coding and the intersection of art with STEM. His passion project, called Strange Attractors, is a visual exploration of the creative outputs of mathematics. In particular, Russell is diving into a form of differential dynamical systems called strange attractors, which output beautiful graphs that reflect their chaotic states.

‍Ivan Medrano is a digital designer working at the intersection of digital technology, fashion and art. Ivan created a digital fashion magazine with rendered editorials, articles, and layout design. Through the magazine, Ivan's goal is to show the world how Metaverse art could be used to empower creatives at the margins and what would be possible if we dissolved the borders around art engagement and valued Metaverse art as a catalyst for diversity, empowerment, and artistic equality. You can read more about Ivan here.

Gilbert Garden built interactive instruments that will turn conductive ink into sounds. Effectively creating music from art.

Elly Williams is an engineer and visual artist who built an interactive artwork. The work features motorised anemones that shrink away in the presence of a viewer, returning once the person moves away.

Tash Atkins is an opera singer, composer and sound artist who explored combining technology and classical music. She creates coded music, Algorave, to develop cutting-edge and experimental opera performances.