Science and art, once separated by a healthy dose of snobbery, are increasingly allied on research proposals. So it is the logical next step that science bigwigs should muscle into the arts social scene as well. Anyone who scores an invitation to the exclusive members-only Chelsea Arts Club may see Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser, Ian Gibson, the chair of the science and technology committee, and Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, propping up the bar.