Not often do you hear of engineering and fine arts students teaming up — or let’s be honest, interacting with one another. However, the University of Saskatchewan’s student group Usask STEAM is changing this with their installation piece at Nuit Blanche 2016.

New to the U of S this year, STEAM is made up of engineering and fine arts students who hope to bridge the gap between the two disciplines. The Sheaf sat down with Dani Dale and Lauren Shyluk, both student leaders of STEAM, to discuss what the group is about and their piece at Nuit Blanche.

“It is currently a collaboration between the College of Engineering and fine arts but we are opening it up to students campus wide. Anyone from any college can get involved. We like to think of STEAM as the intersection of art and design with STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — disciplines,” Shyluk said.

STEAM is passionate about approaching problems with a more creative and out-of-the-box perspective than is often seen in our day-to-day lives.

“The innovation crisis alone calls for STEAM to be very impactful, not only at the U of S but around the world. The world likes to see beautiful things and engineers and artists are the footing to create such beauty in the world … there is much to learn through the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and math,” Shyluk said.

STEAM has built their first ever installation piece for Nuit Blanche 2016, which takes place Oct. 1 at Victoria Park. The STEAM team has partnered with the Canadian Light Source to match the theme of Nuit Blanche, which is food. They are doing this by showcasing the evolution of food production in Saskatchewan.

“We are building a 15-foot grain elevator that will feature heritage photos of farming and the culture that surrounds it. These photographs will fall away one by one to reveal photos and videos provided by the CLS of their plant science research,” Shyluk said.

By showing old farming methods fall away and new scientific research emerging, the piece represents Saskatchewan’s leadership in the ever-evolving farming culture. STEAM was inspired to create this piece by images of grain elevators.

“As we know, grain elevators are slowly disappearing from the Saskatchewan landscape due to emerging farming technology, and STEAM is highlighting the ideology that it isn’t in fact a disappearing act, it is a transformational act. This is where we got the idea for the transforming grain elevator,” Shyluk said.

Even though collaborating was difficult at times for the group, it was a great learning experience for those involved in each discipline.

“From an engineering perspective, learning how the artists approach problems is very different from what I have been taught my whole university career and it was quite an eye opener. At some points it was difficult, but I can now say that I have learned many skills from all the artists I worked with and these skills I will use in my day-to-day problem solving,” Dale said.

Shyluk had a similar response, sharing that working in collaboration with engineers has opened up a world of possibilities for her in her own practice.

“For me, as a fine arts student, it was refreshing to learn more technical skills involved with building as well as engineering procedures,” Shyluk said.

The STEAM team encourages fellow students to check out Nuit Blanche and all it provides.

“It is a free event that showcases local talent and food, and nothing brings people together like food. It is an amazing art fair where different artists from different regions come and display their work,” Shyluk said.

STEAM encourages those who believe they can help, be creative and bring excellent ideas to come and join their team. It’s a great opportunity to be a part of something new and creative on campus!

If you’re interested in becoming involved with STEAM you can send an email to usasksteam@gmail.com or contact them through their blog at usasksteamblog.wordpress.com.

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Samra Sheikh

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor