'Barrier Islands' part cautionary story, tour book.

Byline: BILL THOMPSON

A century ago, scientists and artists worked hand-in-glove far more frequently than is common today, their disparate disciplines working to complement and amplify the other.

It is a dialogue that still serves the goal of education, while underscoring a sense of wonder. Witness "A Celebration of Barrier Islands," a collaboration between geologist Orrin Pilkey of Duke University and Charleston artist Mary Edna Fraser.

"The conversation Orrin and I shared working on this project has made it a different book than it would have been otherwise," says Fraser, who contributed 46 batiks depicting aerial views of barrier islands, as well as the book's introduction. "The most important thing about this book is that it is 100 percent a collaboration, but it also gave me a chance to voice my perspective through artist's notes. I have a thread that runs through the book, connecting the batiks."

Released this week by Columbia …