Mineral Manifest: Exploring materiality in crystal growth
This session will explore the possibilities of material transformation at the micro scale. In this workshop, participants will grow crystals from chemical solutions and use microscopy to observe their growth structures. We will explore how alterations in environmental conditions and deliberate perturbations influence crystal structures and growth patterns. This workshop will be facilitated by Waad AlBawardi in collaboration with ASCUS Art & Science Lab.
No experience necessary.
Workshop Highlights:
Experiment with creating your own unique microscopic crystalline compositions
Use microscopes to observe crystal structures up close
Build confidence working in a scientific lab environment
Date: 25th September 2025
Location: ASCUS Lab, Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
Age: 16+
Tickets: £12 / £10 concession
*ASCUS strives to be an inclusive environment for all. Please get in touch if you have any accessibility requirements.
About Waad AlBawardi
Waad AlBawardi is a Saudi visual artist and molecular biologist based in Edinburgh. Her artistic practice explores patterns in nature and emergent behaviors in biological and physical systems. She uses interdisciplinary approaches that merge scientific methods with creative exploration, incorporating creative programming, microscopy, and experimental lab techniques to explore the unseen forces that shape our environment.
Nucleation Lab
Nucleation Lab takes inspiration from the process of nucleation: the point of transformation of matter from one state to another. We are a platform for creative exploration at the intersection of art, science, and technology. We bring together artists, scientists, creative technologists, and hybrid practitioners to collaborate, experiment, and share ideas. We value experimentation and play as pathways to new ways of thinking and creating.
ASCUS Art & Science
ASCUS Art & Science is a non-profit organisation bringing together art, science and beyond. We work collaboratively with project partners and host Scotland’s first publicly accessible art-science lab. Here, we provide training to help artists work on their independent creative art-science projects, facilitate hands-on workshops and public engagement events and provide affordable lab access to biotech start ups.