Art in Crystallography

The American Crystallographic Association (ACA) is sponsoring its annual contest for artistic images that depict topics in crystallography. Some of the 2005 entries are gorgeous.

I love the intersection of art of science. Nearly all scientists appreciate the fantastic visual beauty of nature (why else be a scientist?), and many artists are intrigued by the symmetries and structures revealed by scientific investigative methods. Some especially enlightened (and financially well-off) science departments sponsor "in-house artists" who work with the scientists to produce or render the prettiest of images that relate to their research.

I am still waiting to hear of an art department or institute sponsoring an "in-house scientist." Surely there has to be some way to make that work....