MIDLAND, MICHIGAN – Artist-scientist and photographer Arnold Kolb, of Midland, exposes audiences to the inner space of life, a place beyond what the average eye can see, through his photomicrography exhibit now on display in the Healing Arts Gallery, located in the lower level of MidMichigan Medical Offices-Midland, on the campus of MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland.

With approximately 25 images on display, the viewer begins the journey through an intimate window into the mystique and design of a micro world, exploring specimen images of crystals, minerals, silicones, progesterone and cement among a wide variety of ‘common’ life substances. Kolb makes innovative choices as he melts, dissolves or selectively re-crystallizes his various mediums.

While bearing all of the characteristics of an abstract painting, the fine art photographs are produced using a combination of scientific and artistic techniques. Using a Zeiss Ultraphot microscope with built in camera in a 4 x 5 inch format with tungsten filament lamps and arc lamps, Kolb utilizes a process where white light passes through the microscope and the crystalline substances act as prisms to produce the characteristic colors.

Since embarking on his avocation, Kolb has been featured in numerous exhibits at various cultural centers, museums and universities both nationwide and abroad. His images are included in a variety of public and corporate collections including The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Dennos Museum of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, The John F. Kennedy Rehabilitation Center in Edison, N.J., Miles Inc., in West Haven, Conn., The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, and Lucent Technologies Network Reliability Center in Denver, Colo. A complete list of his acknowledgments, awards, exhibits and publications can be found on Kolb’s Web site at www.arnoldkolb.com.

Co-author of ‘Analysis of Silicones’ published by John Wiley Interscience in 1974 and also a 1983 Fellow of the Alden B. Dow Creativity Center (recently renamed the Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity & Enterprise), Kolb continues to be inspired by Alden B. Dow’s philosophy that architectural planning should include natural elements within the design. Kolb hopes to move images into designs for aesthetic wall size murals, incorporated strategically into interior and exterior spaces and structures.

Born in Saginaw, Kolb received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and was employed doing research and analysis for the Union Carbide Corporation, the Dow Chemical Company, and Dow Corning. Kolb continues to impact the worlds of science and art through revelation of the hidden beauty of a minute world.

The Healing Arts Gallery exhibit hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. There is no admission fee. 

MidMichigan in Midland is one of only a few hospitals in the State that has established an art gallery that showcases artists over a period of time. The Healing Arts Gallery was constructed through the generosity of donor funds. The Gallery provides a mechanism to reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with health care settings as well as offers a restful and comforting environment in which to assist the healing process.

Those interested in more information on the Healing Arts Gallery may call Angela Nader, gallery coordinator, at (989) 839-3361 or by e-mailing angela.nader@midmichigan.org