Joana Ricou's work currently explores
two different themes, one about finding deeper truths in
private moments, and one about exploring the intersection of
biology and art.
Joana's work has been exhibited extensively
in Pittsburgh, PA, including at the Carnegie Science Center, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, and has been added to private collections across
the United States and in Portugal.
Science&Art
Joana's work combines scientific research with a variety of visual mediums to create unique art works and educational experiences. Her background in research and undergraduate education in Biological Sciences allows her to keep up to date with cutting-edge research and to make contact with scientific advisors who are experts in the their field. Ricou also maintains a close connection with the scientific community in Pittsburgh, and an active presence in the scientific community in Portugal, participating as a speaker and artist at the International Forum of Portuguese Researchers.
She has been working with Primary Investigator Dr. John A. Pollock since 2005 on the Science Education Partnership Award “Partnership in Education”, granted by the National Center for Resource Research, a component of the National Institutes of Health.
As Art Director/Producer, Joana leads the development and production of art and innovative education tools, including museum installations, curriculum development, board games, video games, on-line interactive tools, and ESL tools. Ricou has worked in collaboration with multiple institutions in Pittsburgh, including the Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Children's Museum, and the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University.
A recent highlight has been the development of the Spiral of Life series (2008-10), installed in five cultural institutions in Pittsburgh, that proposes a new symbol to understand evolution. The Spiral emphasizes the common origin and equality of all living things, bridging the gap between the general public and basic tenets of the science, but also includes elements from emergent research that challenge the scientific community, suggesting that the 21st century model for evolution is not a tree or a spiral, but a web. In 2007, Ricou participated as a performer and sculptor in Artwalk, a fusion of fashion and art, at the Warhol Museum.
As of November 2009, Ricou is co-creating a planetarium movie that will explore reproduction and growth across all domains of life, and a challenging companion interactive exhibit that explores the relationship between evolution and reproduction, two basic characteristics of Life.
--
Ricou has a Bachelor in Science and Arts from Carnegie Mellon University (2004) and an M.S. in Multimedia Art from Duquesne University (2009), both in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work was
recognized with several academic awards
from Carnegie Mellon University
including a fifth year of study awarded towards continuing
her studies of the intersection of biology and art.
Joana has received press (see publications)
from her alma matter, and most notably was selected for the
cover of an issue of the Neuroscience magazine in 2005.
Joana moved from Lisboa, Portugal to Pittsburgh in 2000 to study
art and biology, and is now living in Brooklyn, NY.
