On my way back home from a conference in Galway, I had the chance to spend a day exploring Dublin. I had a few destinations in mind, thanks to my guidebook, but the Science Gallery at Trinity College wasn't one of them--until two conference friends told me I had to go. I'm glad I listened to them, because the Science Gallery's exhibit at the time, Human+, was fascinating.

The creepy robot head seen here was part of a piece named "Area V5" after the part of the cortex associated with our perception of motion. The artist, Louis-Philippe Demers, installed several rows of these robotic heads, whose eyes followed visitors as they walked by. According to the guidebook, the goal was to create the Uncanny Valley effect, "the point at which humans start to feel physical unease with robotic agents."

The other pieces in the exhibit were equally creepy and fascinating (creepinating, as a friend of mine says). I'll be sure to catch whatever exhibit is on display at the Science Gallery the next time I'm in Dublin.