The Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWI) will open its doors to the public on Jan. 30 for “Modularity,” the latest event in Buffalo’s Science & Art Cabaret series.

Each cabaret centers around a common theme, featuring short talks by scientists and artists on how that theme relates to their work. The topic of conversation on Jan. 30 will be modularity, which refers to the way ideas and objects—from molecules to artwork with repeating patterns—can be broken down into standardized units.

“Modularity” will begin at 7 p.m. in HWI at 700 Ellicott St., Buffalo. The event is free and open to the public. The lineup:

·         A talk by Surajit Sen, UB professor of physics, on sociophysics: modeling battles, terrorism and chimpanzee social behavior with simple rule-based dynamics that rely, in part, on the methods of physics to describe dynamical problems beyond the traditional bounds of physics.

·         A presentation by HWI researcher Vivian Cody, UB professor of structural biology, on the artful structural models of protein/enzymes and their functions.

·         A video interview with Western New York artist Katherine Sehr, whose work is notable for its intense modularity. As described in Artvoice in 2007, “Sehr’s drawings don’t look like drawings at all, but rather like prints of simple, paired squares of muted colors. Upon closer inspection, however, they reveal themselves to be something entirely different—large, frenetic, scribbled testaments to compulsive, repetitive motion.”

·         Bill Louden, who will present, “Piece for String Quartet and Chladni Pattern Generator.”

The event will give the public a chance to step inside and enjoy HWI’s state-of-the-art research building, which opened in 2005. The sleek, modern facility features an innovative floor plan that supports HWI’s collaborative and open culture.

The Science & Art Cabaret series is organized by the UB College of Arts and Sciences, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and Buffalo Museum of Science.

“Modularity" is the 13th cabaret held since 2009 and the third of the 2012-13 season.