Body Pods: Art from the heart of science

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many people's thoughts are turning to matters of the heart. So it's timely that the performance poet Francesca Beard and the micro-valve surgeon Dr David Hildick-Smith got together to launch the Body Pod The Heart today. This is the second in a new series of podcasts that focus on different parts of the body, made by an artist in collaboration with a scientist.

Body Pods is co-produced by Fuel and Roundhouse, who also created the Everyday Moments series of podcasts last year.

"Francesca spent some time watching David at work repairing hearts and talking to patients," explains Kate McGrath, co-founder of Fuel. "One of the things we like is that the artists have a naive perspective on science, which lots of listeners will be able to empathise with."

Fuel's Body Pods series began in January with Shunt's co-founder David Rosenberg and Professor David McAlpine recording a podcast about the ear. Next it will feature composer Richard Thomas on the liver, artist Stacy Makishi on skin and performer Gemma Brockis on the hand.

The podcasts will be available each month for download, as well as at listening stations in theatres and hospitals across the country.

Download 'The Heart' at: www.fueltheatre.com/projects/body-pods