The silhouettes in steel Project at Austin STEM Center

A silhouette is a visual expression constrained. Constraints on expression, especially the expression of the essence of a human in silhouette form, is a forcing function for internal reflection for both the artist and the viewer.

A laser is a form of coherent light. A silhouette is the coherent absence of light. With this project we are laser cutting silhouettes in steel to express drawings of humans by humans. We do this to express humanity in STEM. That is the purpose and form of the Silhouettes in Steel project at ASC: A community-sourced mural in steel capturing the profiles of the people who raise the depth and complexity of STEM research and education.

Walk into any classroom and watch what happens when you ask students to draw a profile silhouette. They instinctively turn to the side, trace a shadow on the wall, or sketch the outline of a friend. Students who consider themselves "non-artists" are more likely to feel comfortable with the prospect of silhouette drawing vs. perceptive drawing or oil painting. The silhouette is accessible and personal to most, whether drawn or observed.

161 Silhouettes

On August 28th an initial gathering of educators took home copies in steel of the silhouette pictured here as physical invitations to return with their own designs to be included on a 300-foot long, 161-panel mural of silhouettes in steel that will help define how ASC tells the story of humans in STEM. ASC will help take those designs on paper (or PDF) and cut them out of steel plate. One copy for the artist and one copy to be considered for the mural.

The Classroom Connection

Every STEM educator knows that moment when a student's eyes light up—not because they solved a problem, but because they suddenly see themselves as someone who can solve problems. That shift from "I'm not a math person" to "I'm figuring this out" is what we're after with every ASC experience.

This mural project creates space for that same kind of transformation. Students (or parents / teachers / community members ) will see their own work - a profile of someone they admire in STEM - translated into something permanent and beautiful, displayed alongside the works of others celebrating STEM luminaries. They're not just studying STEM; they're part of the STEM storytelling.

Open to Submissions

This project is open to individual student submissions, entire class submissions, or any combination that works for your learning community. Share this with any student, parent, teacher, or community member you know who would be interested in submitting a design for a STEM-inspired silhouette.

Any student, person, class, or group that wants to submit can take a free tour of the Austin STEM Center.

Contact Ken Hawthorn for submission info.