Nanotechnology and Art

Chris Marshall- Nano-CyclopsII

Hole: Vitreous reticulated Carbon
foam ligaments and micropore.

In order for art to maintain its resounding impact on those who view it, it must be relatable and applicable to the viewers lives. With this paradigm shift to the reliance on new technologies, artists must participate in this shift as well. By utilizing nanotechnology in an art piece, the artist has the ability to "present new ways of seeing, sensing and connecting with matter that's miniscule and abstract" (Anonymous). Artists have the ability to connect complex scientific subjects with the rest of the population, in ways that scientists do not have the ability to do. These art pieces "[allow] them to record shape by tactile sensing instead of viewing it, much like a blind man reading Braille, only on the atomic scale"( Lovgren). By allowing others to experience different scientific technology, people will have a much better understanding of the world around them.

Glowing3: Mixture of Lithium
Cobalt Oxide micro and nanoparticles.

Christian Orfescu is an artists that relies on his training in science where he studies nanotechnology. He then uses this knowledge to produce his "nanoart". By using a scanning electron microscope, he captures magnificent images, which he colors himself as the microscope only produces black and white images. He also agrees that the combination of science and art is essential for others to become interested in the world around them: "'with more than 70 percent of the people in the U.S. using products incorporating nanotechnology, I want people to know about it and I hope my art stirs their curiosity to find out more'"(Feder). With this continued trend of uniting the two cultures, we can be truly united with our natural world.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

“Nanotechnology Now.” Press Release: Early Tests Find Nanoshell Therapy Effective against Brain Cancer, www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/Cris-Orfescu.htm.

Feder, Barnaby J. “The Art of Nanotech.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008, bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/.

Lovgren, Stephan. “ Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?” National Geographic, National Geographic Society, news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology.html.

Anonymous. “John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.

Neuroscience + Art

A person's entire life: captured

The study of the brain is a fascination of both scientists and artists alike. It is a study where we realize our entire being, our memories, our observations, our feelings, are reduced to chemical signals and neuron synapses. Every observed brain contains years of a person's life, and has contained every thought, feeling, and experience that person ever had. For this reason, neuroscience continues to be a great interest of people with any sort of background.

Brainbow: Hippocampus

The great complexity of the brain and beginning to truly understand it fully poses a challenge that can be solved with the unity of the two cultures. "it challenges us to reach beyond the obvious and take inspiration from other disciplines, in the hopes of making small steps towards an almost unfathomable scientific problem" (Badhwar). Combing the two allows scientists to step out of bounds of the rigid scientific process, and allows artists to create new works that are outside of their usual environment.

To produce any sort of art, one must have at least a basic understanding of how the mind works, and what images would be the most pleasing for viewers. "The human brain is wired in such a way that we can make sense of lines, colors and patterns on a flat canvas" (Landau). Artist must learn to apply that knowledge to produce images that are both recognizable, and enjoyable for the viewers.





Works Cited

Badhwar, A. (n.d.). Interplay Between Neuroscience and Art. Art & Language International, 77-108. doi:10.1215/9780822374121-004

Choudhury, A. R. (2010). Scales for communicating colours. Colour Measurement. doi:10.1533/9780857090195.1.19

Landau, Elizabeth. "What the brain draws from: Art and neuroscience." CNN. N.p., 15 2012. Web. 15 Nov 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html>.

Sterling, A. (n.d.). MIT Neurotech: Journey Through the Brain. Eyewire. 

Vesna, Victoria. "Conscious / Memory (Part 1)." Lecture. 16 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DLVQIwOn7o8>

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. "Conscious / Memory (Part 2)." 16 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xlg5wXHWZNI>

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. "Conscious / Memory (Part 3)." 16 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E5EX75xoBJ0>

LASER

The Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous gave me insight about careers you can have by utilizing both science and art. To me, it always seemed like such jobs didn’t truly exist in the real world. I thought the two cultures dominated the work place, and there was no such thing as a blend between the two. However, after listening to the presentation, I learned that this is not the case. Learning about such diverse careers and research paths allowed me to open my eyes to other career options, and showed me that jobs don’t have to be black or white.

I particularly liked Maru Garcia’s presentation. I was inspired by her journey throughout her career paths. This was a relief to me because it shows you aren’t confined to one career for your entire life. I enjoyed her stories of switching back and forth from the arts to science, and using knowledge of all of her previous careers for her current one. I especially enjoyed her work on making designs in bacteria petri dishes, and thought it was interesting how she related it back to her culture. It reminded me of Drew Barry's Body Work, which is one of my favorite pieces presented to me in this course. I have always been fascinated by the aesthetic of biological systems, and it excites me that art like that exists.

Biotechnology and Art

Suspect Inversion Center

Art produced from biotechnology could be considered to be the closest that art and science could come together. As nature has always influences artists and their works, it seems only natural that artists would take an interest to use biotechnology to further their artwork. However, as much of this technology is new, and set of ethical outlines has not been concretely established, this art form requires great supervision.

While art has influenced many scientific breakthroughs in the past, it is important to remember when using scientific materials as a medium, to use them for the improvement of humankind. As with any scientific experiment, artwork made with these materials needs to follow the same ethical guidelines for the use of these materials, as well as the application of these materials on live subjects.

Alba, the fluorescent bunny  

The gfp bunny is an example of how biotech art can be both harmful and unnecessary. As this wasn’t a new development and has already been performed by scientists on lab rats, this piece was neither informative, or ethical. To use biotech for one's own enjoyment, and just for the purpose of a shock factor. This work used advanced materials, as well as used the man power that could have been applied to projects that could have been used to help a patient.

Revival Field 

Some art pieces can be helpful, such as the work of the suspect inversion center, where their pieces are designed to inform the public on the actual extent of forensic technology, which has been often over exaggerated in the media.

The revival field is another example of how art installations can be used to help society, as the plants were biologically engineered to extract heavy metals from contaminated soil. This piece is both interesting, as well as produces a solution to a problem that exists.

So, while some forms of art using biotechnology have been both beautiful as well as helpful, it is important to maintain an ethical guideline when both creating, and viewing these forms of art. The unity of art and science has the potential to vastly help society, but has also shown that when performed incorrectly, could potentially become detrimental.

Suspect Inversion Center (SIC), www.paulvanouse.com/sic.html.

“GFP BUNNY.” NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA, www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor.

“How Did Matilda, Tara and Star Barbie Become Transgenic Rats?” Embracing Animal :: All About Transgenic Rats, www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html.

“Revival Field – Mel Chin.” Bio – Mel Chin, melchin.org/oeuvre/revival-field.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. DESMA 9. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.