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The Imagination of Science

What happens when you ask a group of Malaysian health science students to get creative? You get a world inspired by fantasy, powered by science and presented through art.

Science and the imagination have always gone hand in hand – we would not have discovered penicillin and created vaccines, untangled the mysteries of DNA or cloned a sheep if not for creative thinking. This is why at the IMU, we encourage our students to step out of their academic modes and stretch their imaginations to develop their faculties of resourcefulness, innovativeness and originality.

Recently, three Medical Biotechnology students at the IMU, Low Jun Ying, Farah Nureena Binti Fazil and Tam Kah Wey decided to come together to explore beyond the boundaries of established logic and take a flight of fancy into a different world.

The story
behind the art

Building on the idea of Aquaterra (from the Latin words aqua and terra meaning water and earth) to describe an underwater kingdom, the students set out to tell a story set in a submerged world populated by three elements – algae, blood cells, and diatoms.

“Together, these elements form a delicate balance in the ecosystem of Aquaterra, highlighting the importance of collaboration, interdependence, and unity among different organisms to create a harmonious and thriving underwater world,” they explain.

The Algae, which they named Alaria, is a vibrant green seaweed with the ability to create beautiful and harmonious patterns of light. She illuminates the coral reef and provides energy through photosynthesis to Aquaterra to sustain herself and the ecosystem. Alaria represents creativity, beauty, and the power of harnessing natural resources.

The Diatoms, led by Diandra, are tiny, single-celled organisms with glass-like walls made of silica. Diatoms capture sunlight and feed off Alaria’s light patterns for energy. They share their silica with Alaria, enhancing her beauty and resilience. The diatoms symbolize wisdom, cooperation, and the idea that different organisms can achieve more when they work together.

Blood cells in this story act as messengers and couriers between the different inhabitants. They transport nutrients and oxygen throughout Aquaterra, ensuring that all organisms receive what they need to thrive. Just like in the body, blood cells play a vital role in facilitating communication and unity, and symbolise the interconnectedness of all life forms in Aquaterra.

The Art

The story has been translated into a batik print – batik was chosen for its place as a traditional Malaysian art form. In the patterns you will find the three protagonists of the story on a green blue background symbolising the water and earth elements of Aquaterra; while orange and purple highlight the many other colourful elements of an underwater world.

The print will be used in various collaterals at the IMU. The first to be produced will be a tote bag featuring the batik design. For more information on how you can share your creativity, contact us at [email protected].