25 Jan 07

Blur musician and journalist Alex James has become Artist in Residence in Astrophysics. Professor Roger Davies, Chairman of Physics, learnt of the bass guitarist's long-term interest in space science and astronomy when they met at a space conference last December. Professor Davies said: 'Astronomy has been a source of inspiration for the arts for centuries. We are particularly keen to engage artists with the ideas and concepts of modern astrophysics and having Alex James as Artist in Residence is a great opportunity for us to expand these connections.'

Alex James has described the project as 'a fantastic opportunity to bring art, music and science together'. Blur composed the signature tune for the lander in the 'Beagle 2' Mars mission and last year Alex staged a solo show at the Whitechapel Gallery, which set the voyage of the spacecraft 'Rosetta' to music.

It is not the first time that Astrophysics has had an Artist in Residence. Jem Finer, a musician with The Pogues, worked with the department two years ago to produce a structure for the University Parks.