Nanotech + Art

(Photos: Courtesy of NanoArt 21)

Nanotechnology and art combine to create some mind-blowing projects. But these projects are not simple to develop; they require a great deal of patience and complex interpretations. Many of these interpretations have to be very abstract considering that nothing is visible by the human eye when dealing with nanotechnology. As described in the reading, “The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science”, much of the imagery created is dependent upon a narrative describing what is sensed but not seen. This is where the title of the article comes from, because often times the narrative is inspired purely from science fiction. The authors, Gimzewski and Vesna, describe this reliance on science fiction as “a shift in our perception of reality to from a purely visual culture to one based on sending and connectivity”.

("Nano Crystals 2" art piece)

Cris Orfescu is an example of an artist who dabbles in “nanoart”. He runs the laboratory at Caleb Technology and works to design lithium batteries. However, in his free time, his training in materials science allows him to create nanoart masterpieces. These art pieces take devices such as scanning electron microscopes to create nanoscale images. Orfescu’s art features nanolandscapes and nanoscultpures and must be converted through unique artistic techniques in order to be showcased for his audience. This new form of art is yet another magnificent example of art-science-technology intersections.

 

("Quantum Tunneling" art piece)

Works Cited

"Cris Orfescu." Cris Orfescu. EMarketing 21, 2016. Web. 22 May 2016.

Dr. Gimzewski. " Nanotech for Artists Part 1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 May.

Dr. Gimzewski. " Nanotech for Artists Part 2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 May.

Feder, Barnaby F. "The Art of Nanotech." Bits The Art of Nanotech Comments. The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 May 2016.

Lilley, Maiken. "The Art of Nanotech." PBS. PBS, 18 Nov. 2010. Web. 22 May 2016.

Neurosci + Art

(LSD poster)

From a distance it may seem as though there is not much of a relationship between art and neuroscience. This is because most people think of art as abstract and imaginative, whereas neuroscience and the science spectrum are considered logical and straightforward. While the two share their differences, they also share the main goal of unlocking visual concepts of the mind. Art has a way of making the mind aware of unique images. However, the mind is what perceives these images and becomes conscious of them. 

(Image of art and neuroscience)

Conscious is defined in the neuroscience lecture: part 1 as “A sense of one’s personal or collective identity, including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual or group: Love of freedom runs deep in the national consciousness.” By allowing attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities to be formed around a piece of art it lets the art piece take on a new form in each person’s mind. This is accentuated when the mind is on drugs. Hallucinogenic drugs specifically affect the regions of the brain that regulate arousal. 

(Normal brain (top) versus brain on LSD (bottom))

This heightened arousal works with serotonin released in the brain to alter perceptions of art and create images in the mind that are most likely not even visible to the average human eye. The mind and its ability to perceive art in so many different ways is a truly wondrous thing.

(Conscientiousness)

Works Cited

"How Do Hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, Peyote, DMT, and Ayahuasca) Affect the Brain and Body?" National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2016.

"The Neuroscience of Creativity." Comic Art, Creativity and the Law (n.d.): 7-11. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. " Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 May.

Vesna, Victoria. " Neuroscience-pt2.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 May. 2

Vesna, Victoria. " Neuroscience pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 May. 2

BioTech + Art

abstract depiction of biotechnology and art

To further delve into the vast world of art, artists are combining biotechnology and art to create new and exciting art forms. This is not only a new art form, is it is a way to answer questions about human biology and the world around us. By experimenting with biotechnology and art, scientists can learn more about the interactions between the two and discover more about the nature of life. Around the world artists are stepping into the lab to experiment with biotechnology. An example of this art in Australia is an exhibit titled “MEART”. 

MEART

This “semi living artist” is made up of brain cells from a rat that are grown over a grid of electrodes and a robotic drawing arm. These two parts of MEART make up its brain and body. They communicate through the Internet to draw in two-dimensional. This project focuses on the possibilities of artificial intelligence that artists still have much more to learn about. Another example of biotechnology combining with art can be seen the Museum of Modern Art in New York. One of the recent projects was called “Victimless Leather”. 

Victimless Leather

This project seemed like a really far-out idea to me. It was a small jacket made of live mouth tissue. The tissue remained living because it was stored in a glass ball with a controlled environment. However, the project went haywire when the cells began to reproduce more than expected. The project was looking for answers in regards to how humans can control other life forms. Even though the project had to be shut down, it helped scientists to gain further insight into their powers towards affecting living organisms. It’s exciting to hear about all of these projects and the future that biotechnology and art holds for human evolution.

Works Cited

Delgado, Rick. "How Artists Are Blending Biotechnology And Art." Make Use Of. N.p., n.d. Web.

Kelty, Chris. "Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?" Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotech intro NEW." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 8 May.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 bioart pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 8 May. 20162016

Levy, Ellen. "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classification." Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.

Event 2: Laser

LASER FEATURING TONI DOVE, TAYLOR AUBRY, CLARISSE BARDIOT, LAURA CECHANOWICZ, ERKKI HUHTAMO, MARCO PINTER, SHANNON WILLIS

I really enjoyed Taylor Aubry’s lecture on the future of our energy landscape. I am very interested in the use of solar cells meeting our energy needs for the future. I think it’s a magnificent alternative energy source that could eventually save us a lot of money. 

(solar cells)

Some of the other future technologies that she mentioned really caught my attention as well. She brought up glasses that will be able to show your mood. This will help kids with autism be able to identify how someone is feeling because they lack certain social skills needed to do so. Taylor also mentioned gloves that will be able to speak the words that a deaf person is signing. 

(Analysis of the sign language glove)

I think these are incredible inventions that can bring the disabled community closer to the non-disabled community. I am currently in a disability studies class and I am learning a ton about how under represented the disabled community is. I love that new technological advances are bringing them into consideration in their endeavors and attempting to make the world a more maneuverable place for disabled people. It is too commonplace to forget to accommodate disabled people. They are just as capable as everyone else if we give them the correct tools. These inventions are great steps towards a brighter future with a hopefully fading discrimination of disabled people as well as an energy resourceful earth. Though I only focused on Taylor’s lecture, I loved the entire presentation and was amazed by all of the incredible ideas!

(Professor Vesna and I)

MedTech + Art

A patient wounded from war

I have never really considered medical technologies to be an art form before. It is interesting to look at it from this point of view. It definitely makes more sense to me when looking at plastic surgery, because the surgeon is molding a person’s face or body usually to appear more aesthetically pleasing. It is pretty crazy that plastic surgery has been around for 4,000 years and was being done as early as 800 BC. This was due to WWI because of all the new technology that allowed for people to be blown up and have chemical deterioration affect their bodies. Technology and science continued to advance with war and the necessary healing procedures that followed. 

Orlan

However, beginning in 1990, French artist Orlan began performing constructive surgeries on herself, simply to imitate western art pieces.

Orlan with her art

This is such a strange concept to me. Designers would prepare costumes for Orlan to wear during her surgeries and music and poetry would play in the background. Orlan is also fully conscious during these surgeries. She intends to defy norms and argue against cosmetic surgery and Christianity. This form of art came to be known as carnal art. I was very disturbed during many parts of the documentary. The movie was very eye opening because I had no idea this form of art existed. Orlan exposes many parts of the body and surgical procedures allowing for a deeper insight into the artwork. However, this exposition was a little too extreme in my opinion. I find carnal art to be disturbing and over the top. Here is a video example of carnal art .

Works Cited

Jeffries, Stuart. "Orlan's Art of Sex and Surgery." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 01 July 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

MutleeIsTheAntiGod. "Orlan - Carnal Art (2001) Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.