Space+Art

Space+Art

Space and Art, which is this week's topic, made it quite easy for me to understand the relationship between space and art comparing to other topics that we have discussed before. As Professor Vesna states during the lecture, this topic connects all robot, technology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology into one lecture. The future of space technology has always captivated me, since it was only one hundred years ago that the Wright brothers made flight possible for humans. It is quite amazing how technology has allowed men to traverse previously unexplored boundaries, and at such a fast rate too! 

Wright Brother's First Airplane

Not only has space technology intrigued scientists, but also artists as well, resulting in many works of art, such as the movie E.T. and the Dancing on the Ceiling exhibition. In the movie E.T, artists and scientists alike use their great imaginations and minds to create a story that chronicles the journey of a boy who helps an alien go back home. Watching E.T. no doubt inspired me to become a scientist as a child, and hopefully the movie will continue to inspire many more minds in the future to revolutionize space travel. The thought of space travel becoming a reality is so exciting; space travel has definitely gotten more and more plausible. I can only hope that in the future that I personally will be able to experience space travel. It is due to scientists and artists who have incorporated the creativity of TV/film into works of art that have no doubt propelled space technology itself. 

E.T. Film (1982)

Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity held by EMPAC also embodies artist's and scientist's interest in space, specifically gravity. It is an exhibition in which "contemporary artists explore the condition of weightlessness on earth."In other words, by violating all the traditional artwork that follows the physics of gravity, all the artwork in the exhibition will bring all viewers to a weightless world. This piece of artwork really shows how artists often use science to inspire and formulate new ideas about their projects. 

Dancing On the Ceiling:Art and Zero Gravity

From the examples of E.T. and the exhibition above, we can see that the space age that we are currently living in has fostered so much imagination and creativity. It has virtually allowed for boundless possibilities, and demonstrates how art and space complement each other. A fitting end to the course, I really cannot wait to see how art and space can be even more intertwined in the future. 

 Citations:

“Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity at EMPAC.” Art & Education. N.p.. Web. 30 Nov 2013. <http://www.artandeducation.net/announcement/dancing-on-the-ceiling-art-zero-gravity-at-empac/>.

Goldstein. E.T: The Extra-Terrestial. 1982. New York Film Institute, New York. Derek Winnert. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

NASA. Parts of An Aircraft. 2007. Glenn Research Center, Houston. NASA. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2O5C0Iv6ROo#>  

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 5. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WnSUHMXBmdg#>

Even though I am aware of the boundless applications of nanotechnology to medicine, I was quite astonished to find out that nanotechnology has also led to advancements in art, as seen in the Nano-Scape. 

A beautiful image of California Nanosystems Technology(CNSI) is shown above, and it is home to many of the world's strongest and modern microscopes, including the STEM, cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and AFM microscopes. A link of the Titan Krios microscope constructed by FEI in CNSI and assembled by my research advisor: http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup. 

Massive advancements in medicine has allowed for for massive growth in nanotechnology. One such application can be seen in the research of how nanotechnology from diesel exhaust and damage lung airway cells. As diesel exhaust particles, a major part of urban smog, deliver organic chemicals onto the cilia on our lungs, researching ways to combat this growing problem, especially in suburban areas, could greatly benefit humans. This finding could eventually lead to new therapies for people susceptible to the disease. Shown below are the diesel exhaust particles, consisted of a carbon core and coated with organic chemicals and metals.

On the other hand, nanotechnology has also paved the way for advancements in art. Through the process of microscopic manipulations, the Nano-Scape, shown below, allows people to experience the nano-world touch by utilizing magnetics. The magnetic field creates constantly shifting forces, which is stimulated by movements from the user's hands that cause all the atoms in the array to interact in a constant readjustment of their proximity to one another. This constant movement allows for users of the Nano-Scape to create an ever "changing invisible sculpture."

Nano-Scape

Professor Gimzewski notes in this week's lecture that one of the most impactful ways of using nanotechnology is through medicine. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, as most of the time with our bodies, we don't know something is actually wrong with our bodies until we go to the doctor. But at the same time, using nanotechnology for art also allows us to experience art in another dimension and at another scale. 

Citations:

Dawkins, Urszula. "realtime 96." RealTime Arts. N.p., 30 May 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.realtimearts.net/article/96/9816>.

Feinknopf, Brad. Suspended Walkways at CNSI. 2007. Vinoly's CNSI, University of Los Angeles California. The Architect's Newspaper. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

"Findings on Pollution Damage to Human Airways Could Yield Novel Therapies." - DukeHealth.org. Duke University, 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. 

<http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/findings-on-pollution-damage-to-human-airways-could-yield-novel-therapies?utm_source=dukehealth.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS_news>.

"Nanotech Jim pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE>.

Sommerer, Christa . Nano-Scape. 2010. John Curtin Gallery, Australia. Art in the Age of NanoTechnology. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Zhou, Hong. "The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines." The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines. N.p., 10 Aug. 2006. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup>.

This week's topic explored Neuroscience and Art, and how scientists have developed neuroscience by exploring the unconscious and the conscious. I have now become even more aware of the effects that the world around us has on our consciousness and brain activity. Hallucinogenic drugs or graphic movies demonstrates how our mind is capable of such fascinating extraordinary things. 

Our Human Brain

Physicist Roger Penrose once stated, "Compared to the complexity of the brain, a galaxy is just an inert lump."The comparison of the galaxy to our brain is pictured left. Even today, humans have yet to map out exactly how the brain works. This touches upon the concept of phrenology, which is based on finding out about personality through analysis of skull shape. Professor Vesna states that it was believed that each portion of the brain controlled a certain specific skill one was exceptional at. Her statement really interested me the most, because I believe that it definitely makes sense when looking at people's abilities in general. Below a phrenology model is shown: 


Our brain's ability to react in unusual ways when we see, hear, taste, or feel things that frighten us is depicted in the Amygadaloid's music video. Even though our brain merely adapted these instincts for survival, it is truly remarkable how our neurons can create such vivid emotions in our brain and react by warning us of possible danger. The Amygdaloids's passion for music and neuroscience at the same time really demonstrates to us the complexity of the human brain. 


Lastly, when dealing with drugs such as LSD or cocaine, scientists have recently mapped out the alteration in the chemistry of our brains when taking LSD or cocaine. These drugs can create vibrant colors and objects that actually do not exist in reality, and can enhance or embellish our perception of life simply by changing the chemical make up of our brains. I believe that this is an instance when science and art crosses paths, and below is an image of how a drug affects our brains and neurons: 

I believe that this weeks' topic is so important to us because we use our brain every single second of the day, even when we sleep. Our brains control every motion we make and also every thought we think. The application of art to neuroscience can be expressed in so many ways, from brainbow to phrenology, or even incorporating drugs to create a psychadelic experience. We are now only beginning to understand the psychological implications of many of these things on a scientific level. I am looking to future studies, which may start new forms of art in this field.



Citations: 

Brain On Drugs. N.d. Photograph. Brain On Drugs. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyDVSBTGW-ikqx81DTdVC7D-BKdEUIax6y8jtVAn_Bhuz7MfLsR1j_dRpeDQQRI_z4Q4KKF_WrqWkZyC-zM5xBXinFd2J7D2Dp8sQJ0Z5AbJMwI8Ts3U7Zsycr2G8ndXU6FC43XEioNJ/s1600/BrainOnDrugs.jpg>.

Lienhard, John H. "No. 2148 American Phrenology." Engines of Our Ingenuity. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2148.htm>.

Neuron. N.d. Photograph. Creative Biology. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://creativebiology.blogspot.com/2010/02/neurons-and-on-being-science-nrrd.html>.

"The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech." 'The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech'. Leverhulme Trust, 15 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. 
<http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/05/more-complex-than-a-galaxy-new-insights-into-the-human-brain.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience and Art Lecture. UCLA Online. Web.

This week's lecture really taught me how biotechnology can not only be used for stem cells in medicine, but also a form of human expression. While the lecture really allowed me to explore something I had never thought of before, I also felt quite uncomfortable and disturbed at some of the images of bioart. This included Stelarc's Third Ear, which consisted of a full sized human ear inserted in his left arm as an implant. 

Stelarc, a legendary Australian performance artist, used a skin expander to create excess skin on his left forearm. His Arm in Ear Project began in 2006, and since then, he is still perfecting the shape using stem cells and surgery to make the ear more prominent. 

 Pictures from the procedure can be seen above. Seeing Stelarc's arm really grossed me out, and left me wondering what was the motivation behind this artistic expression. Upon learning that his motivation was to suggest an improved human being, I really started to question whether or not this type of artistic expression was even justified.

However, other examples such as the Revival Field really sparked my interest in this field.

The Revival Field began as a conceptual artwork with the intent to sculpt a site's ecology, in order to promote greater social awareness and responsibility. Mel Chin's work led him to collaborate with scientists and government agencies in order to create natural work that transcends traditional sculpture. I feel like this project really materialized science, technology, and art, while not adhering to the traditional object of making art.

In summary, I believe that most of my disturbance at this week's lecture came from its motivation. I believe that life itself is a valid expressive medium, but at the same time, we have to balance ethical standards and practices with scientific and artistic values. If the art's motivation is to purely invoke thought and wonder, like the Third Ear, I feel like the art is unjustified. On the other hand, if the artwork is motivated by empathy and a greater sense of common good, the art is definitely more justifiable. I also believe that there should be limits to human creativity. Although people have their own rights to decide what to do with their bodies, seeing a human ear in one's arm does not sound like art to me.

Citations:

"Regulating Biotechnology: At the Interface between Science And Ethics." Ethics Technology and Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://ethicstechnologyandsociety.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/regulating-biotechnology-at-the-interface-between-science-and-ethics/>.

"Stelarc’s Third Ear." Street Anatomy. N.p., 4 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://streetanatomy.com/2012/06/27/stelarcs-third-ear/>.

Sellers, Nina. Stelarc's Third Ear. 226. Museum of Natural Art, Australia. Street Anatomy. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.

Stelarc. "Stelarc // Ear on Arm." Stelarc.org. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

Summers. http://blogs.walkerart.org/visualarts/files/2008/03/revival-field-1991-943.jpg. 2008. Walker Art Center, Minnesota. Walker Art Center. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.

“Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933-1957” is the first extensive exhibition of art works produced in the experimental liberal arts college, where pivotal artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage, Josef and Anni Albers, and Merce Cunningham studied and taught. 

The exhibition strengthened my understanding of the connections between math, art, and science. Josef Albers is a highly influential artist who inspired some of the most progressive art education in the twentieth century, and his multi-dimentional art piece below shows intricate geometric design, resonating with ideas we learned in week 2. The drawing by William Albert Lanier is a great example of art, math, and science all combined in one art piece to create a modern-looking architectural design. The art produced in Black Mountain College represents a tiny fraction of a progressive era for art, math, and science that became the building blocks of the modern 21st century. 

I was very inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s Minutiae. It is a vibrant piece of art made from oil, paper, fabric, newspaper, wood, metal, plastic, mirror, and string on wood structure. The colorfulness reminds me that, as an aspired musician, I should learn to draw inspiration from the little things in daily life.   

The exhibition was definitely worth it and I recommend everyone go check it out at Hammer Museum. 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZfZwXE8giMgdzFgkGxNMCB5vvUknd3xDdbVd3r9Am58/edit