Art and science collaboration: Transforming environmental data into art with Nigel Helyer

In this interview, artist Nigel Helyer shares the creative and technical processes behind BioSphere | DataSphere, a series of works based on environmental data from the Tasman Fracture Marine Park. The project is a collaborative research effort involving the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, the Australian Antarctic Division, and CSIRO. Based in Australia, Nigel is an internationally renowned sculptor and sound artist known for creating large-scale sound sculptures, environmental public artworks, and media installations that explore the intersection of poetics and technics. Working closely with scientists, Nigel transformed complex datasets—like sea temperatures, underwater sounds, and DNA sequences—into physical and auditory forms that reveal the hidden rhythms of the marine world.

Listen to this podcast to learn about:

• How Nigel translated scientific data into a range of sensory art forms, from 3D-printed sculptures to soundscapes.
• The unique challenges and insights of working in art-science collaboration.
• The role of art in making scientific data accessible, helping audiences engage emotionally with environmental issues.

Highlights

• (00:06:00) Art and Science collaboration in marine environmental projects
• (00:02:45) Transforming scientific data into art through 3D printing
• (00:09:15) Art and Science: finding utility and philosophical connection
• (00:10:51) Navigating collaboration 
• (00:15:55) Art and Science: a respectful division of creativity
• (00:21:23) Learning code to transform data into musical art
• (00:26:26) Building successful art-science collaborations through personal connections 

About Nigel Helyer 

Nigel Helyer is an internationally acclaimed sculptor and sound artist based in Australia, known for creating immersive sound sculptures, environmental public artworks, and interactive media installations that connect art, science, and technology. His practice is deeply interdisciplinary, frequently collaborating with scientific institutions on projects that use bio-logging, GIS techniques, and acoustic mapping to transform complex data into sensory experiences.    

With a career spanning groundbreaking works like GeneMusiK and Host, Nigel has served as Artistic Director for large-scale projects such as The LifeBoat Project and has collaborated with leading institutions like the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland and the Tropical Marine Research Labs in Singapore. As a visiting professor at institutions worldwide, he contributes to the art-science field with a focus on innovative research and audience engagement.

Key Takeaways from this interview with Nigel Helyer 

Translating data into art

BioSphere | DataSphere, a series of works created with scientists studying the Tasman Fracture Marine Park, they translate environmental data into visual and auditory forms. Nigel utilised methods like 3D printing, laser cutting, and sound to bring this data to life.

“Almost everything in the gallery is produced from spreadsheets with just numbers… scientific research data that’s been transformed into either physical forms, images, or sound.”

Bridging art and science

Nigel shares insights into the collaborative process, highlighting the importance of respecting each discipline's strengths to foster innovation.

“Scientists know what they do best, and artists know what they do best. When both sides value that, you create a dynamic where real collaboration happens.”

Adapting to remote work

Nigel reflected on the challenges of managing a collaborative project from afar.

“If you’re local and in the team… it would have been 1,000% easier. I had quite a bit of anxiety about what I’ve done… whether I’ve hit the nail on the head or not.”

Learning new technical skills

For BioSphere | DataSphere, Nigel took on unfamiliar technical processes, such as coding in Python and using AutoCAD, to directly translate data into art. This experience gave him new insights and independence in creating the series.

“The most harrowing thing for me was to learn how to code... but I slogged through that.”

Advice

Nigel believes that building genuine relationships within a collaborative team is crucial, especially in cross-disciplinary projects. Meaningful connections enhance communication and understanding between artists and scientists.

“It’s so much easier to work with someone who you have a good, friendly, personal relationship with and a mutual enjoyment of the relationship.

Links from the podcast  

• Visit Nigel Helyer’s website
• Discover more about BioSphere|DataSphere 
• Learn more about the Tasman Fracture Marine Park Research Project
  
• Read about the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in Hobart