Bristol will come alive this week [19 March] with a science-inspired circus for the city’s first-ever free public festival celebrating art and science.

The Experience Changing Perspectives event, which marks the start of the Changing Perspectives Festival [19 March to 30 April], will kick off with a circus-themed event at Circomedia in Portland Square, Bristol, where aerial performance, anatomy and biomechanics will collide.

The free event will offer members of the public a chance to learn how aerial circus performers accomplish their extraordinary feats. People will discover how their bodies work with TV presenter Alice Roberts, and be able to meet researchers who will bring anatomy and physiology, neuroscience, robotics and biomechanics alive with interactive exhibits. There will also be a chance for members of the public to take part in anatomical body painting, a novel way of demonstrating anatomy.

The Changing Perspectives Festival, hosted by the University of Bristol at venues across the city from 18 March to 30 April, will comprise a series of interactive events, exhibitions, talks and performances exploring the fascinating relationships between art and science, and featuring a range of artist, student and academic collaborations.

Maggie Leggett, Head of the University’s Centre for Public Engagement, said: “Changing Perspectives offers members of the public a chance to get involved with an exciting series of events which explore the relationships between art and science.

“Staff and students at the University of Bristol have long pursued science-art conversations and collaborations as a way to open up new ways of thinking about their work.  The results of those collaborations are often exciting, authentic and moving pieces of art.  By sharing that work and those conversations with the public, we want to see what new ideas might emerge and to spark new insights for all.”

The Festival has been organised by the University of Bristol Centre for Public Engagement, with funding from the Institute of Physics [IOP] and support and contributions of students, academics and artists from within and outside the University.

The free public Experience Changing Perspectives event, hosted by the University of Bristol, takes place on Saturday 19 March at Circomedia, Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SJ from 10 am to 5 pm. All Changing Perspectives events are free and open to the public. Booking details for events are available on the Changing Perspectives Festival website or the programme.

For further information on the event contact the University’s Centre for Public Engagement, tel: +44 (0)117 33 18318, email: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk