Week 9: Space + Art

This week’s topic of space and art was a great way to sum up all the topics within this class. The studies of our universe and the attempts to explore it have in some way incorporated all the other topics we have covered. As said by professor Vesna, “we are using nanotechnology in space and biotechnology and mathematics and robots and this is where it all comes together”.

http://guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Space-Industries.png

Scientists have discovered many ways to explore the universe and it has very much so influenced the art world. For example, The Dancing on the Ceiling: Art and Zero Gravity exhibition is a broad exploration of two primary themes of transcendence and zero gravity. This exhibition also goes on to explore the fact that people have attempted to defy gravity, but can never completely escape.

http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/54455499_1280x720.jpg

I personally am not a fan of math, but the Powers of Ten video was very interesting to me. Seeing how the video could be zoomed out to beyond where you could imagine while keeping the same central focus point was pretty amazing. It’s very interesting to think that one math equation can be used in such a unique and effective way. 

https://engagetheirminds.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/powers_of_ten.jpg

Sources:

https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/484297/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=8599423

(Lectures by Professor Vesna)

"Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity Curated by Kathleen Forde : EMPAC Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center : Troy, NY USA." Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity Curated by Kathleen Forde : EMPAC Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center : Troy, NY USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2016.

"POWERS OF TEN AND THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE | Eames Office." Eames Office. N.p., 09 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 May 2016.

History.com Staff. "The Space Race." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 01 Jan. 2010. Web. 30 May 2016.

"Dancing on the Ceiling." Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC). N.p., 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 May 2016.

Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

In this week’s lecture, I realized how large of an impact nanotechnology has on the artistic world and vice versa. Nanotechnology is a branch of science that deals with the alteration of individual atoms and molecules as well as entail the capability to see and control single atoms and molecules. The statement by Professor Vesna, “nanotechnology is what is going to push us over the edge into the 21^st century”, explains how advanced nanotechnology really is because it contains the potential to affect almost every type of technology in existence today. 

http://www.photonetc.com/api/images/542af39b10b9c8530f00003e?maxWidth=1920

https://crash.curtin.edu.au/local/images/nanoessence/2nanoessence.jpg

A prime example of how nanotechnology and art have collided is Nano-essence by Paul Thomas and Kevin Raxworthy.  This project aims to build a physical experience to look at the scientific and metaphysical world. Nano-essence is an interactive audio-visual installation where the viewer interacts with the presentation with their own breath. Another example that shows the collision of art and nanotechnology would be the Transjuicer by Boo Chapple. The Transjuicer is an audio speaker that is developed out of bones. The making of his project involved working with the piezoelectric nature of the bone to cause the bone to vibrate in a certain way to create audible sounds. Boo Chapple was motivated by artistic desires to witness what occurs beyond our human capacity and to effectively experience things at the human scale.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYAE_ibRNZT3NtppjUN93E160K38nxuIqR2Xr9TKX2qPICWirE9_Zl8FD526ZJGfkT0tFJ6f3Ih6TxL4uHE203_t8KgWHaAPN65MiGZsZqOyDG2NCfe41YASRc-rxd7yqZ8K2vr5JKBY/s1600/Transjuicer2.LR.jpg

There are many benefits of nanotechnology, but there is also some downfalls to society. Nanotechnology is very expensive to purchase as well as to produce. This type of technology needs to be produced by experts, researchers and scientists in order to confirm that the technology is handled correctly, because although this advanced and powerful technology could provide great advancements to society, there are concerns of the issues that could possibly arise from this new force. However, with the proper production and use of nanotechnology, society could experience numerous improvements.  

Sources:

 "What Is Nanotechnology?" Nano. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2016

Vesna, Professor. "ONLINE COURSE LOGIN." Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2016 (Lectures)

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2016.

"2010 Nanoessence." Visiblespace. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2016.

"Nanotechnology Spotlights." Nanotechnology and Emerging Technologies. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2016.

Neuroscience + Art

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/299588/file-2531082232-jpg/neuroscience.jpg

Neuroscience has made significant advances within the modern day medical field. This science is the study of life and deals with anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of nerves and nervous tissues within relation to behavior and learning. With the invention of the microscope and the discovery of electricity, it was possible to understand where the brain begins. The brain is not only one of the most important organs, but the most advanced organ in the human body and is responsible for controlling your central nervous system such as your conscious and unconscious thoughts.

https://machinatorium.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/phreno_01.jpg

Franz Joseph Gall created the study of the shape of the skull as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities, also known as phrenology. Gall was also the first person to discover grey matter of the brain with active tissue neurons and white matter with conductive tissue ganglia. Another major contributor to the study of neuroscience would be Ramon y Cajal. He is the founder of neuroanatomy. Not only is he the founder neuroanatomy, but a legend with his medical artistry.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls9nzo1Qvi1qf0717o1_500.jpg

Another interesting aspect under this topic would be the concept of dreams. We have a significant amount of research about our unconscious mind and dreams, but there is still so much left as a mystery. Simply remembering and being able to interpret your dreams can be considered art. Sigmund Freud was one of the first to divide the mind into the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. Freud believes that dreams provide valuable clues to how the unconscious mind works.

http://cf-images.emusic.com/books/images/100/025/10002544/300x300.jpg

The process of different sections of the brain combining to make a whole is art within itself by combining different elements to result in a working organism, but the idea of neuroscience delves deeper into the subject of art because humans can actually create art through our dreams. In our sleep, our mind creates vivid images consisting of colors and movement that can be random and abstract or have a specific story line. 

Sources:

https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/484297/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=8599411

(Lectures I, II, and III by Victoria Vesna)

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.

"Franz Joseph Gall : Founder of Phrenology." Franz Joseph Gall : Founder of Phrenology. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2016

"Life and Discoveries of Santiago Ramón Y Cajal." Life and Discoveries of Santiago Ramón Y Cajal. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.

"Dream Moods: Dream Theories: Sigmund Freud." Dream Moods: Dream Theories: Sigmund Freud. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.

"THE POWER OF SURRENDER." The Art of Remembering and Interpreting Dreams. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.

Biotechnology + Art

This week’s topic of biotechnology and art was very interesting to learn about. It is astonishing how biotechnology is used within art and how people use and work with living organisms such as bacteria and life processes when creating art work. Biotechnology and art is one of the most controversial topics we have covered so far because of the GMO’s in our food, experimentation with animals and creating hybrids between species, which has opposing views in our society.

http://www.artnexus.com/images/content/issue69/u0009955big.jpg

For example, Eduardo Kac created a new art form called transgenic art. This art is based on the use of genetic engineering to transfer natural or synthetic genes to an organism, and to create living beings. Eduardo is an example as he created a “green fluorescent protein (GFP) Bunny” named Alba. Another example with someone using a living organism and transgenic art would be Kathy High in her experiment Embracing Animal. In her experiment, she used three transgenic lab rats and microinjected them with human DNA, allowing them to share our human genes. She used these rats to look at people’s attitudes towards them not only as pets, but as friends.  

http://kathyhigh.com/pix/embracing2/13.jpg

Along with animals, gene modification with food is very common and has been occurring for years. Genetic modifications of food such as color, shape, size and economic factors have made food, in some ways, confusing. According Seed Magazine, the foods you eat often affect how your neurons behave and how you think and feel. Seed Magazine also says that from your brains perspective, food is a drug. Some companies have been producing genetically modified (GM) seeds. It is said that anything you consider to be food or anything that you put into your body, should be considered a drug. Even if the food is nutritious or not. Overall, biotechnology and art are highly regarded in society and the combination of the two are what created the controversial issues apparent today. 

http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/wanted_gm_seeds_for_study/

http://brandwiki.today/wellnessgospel/files/2015/03/modified-food.jpg

Sources: 
"GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016."Kathy High: Visual/media Artist, Independent Curator, Educator." Kathy High: Projects: Embracing Animal. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.
"Seed Magazineabout." This Is Your Brain on Food § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.
"Seed Magazineabout." Wanted: GM Seeds for Study § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.
https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/484297/pages/unit-6-view?module_item_id=8599405
(Intro Lecture)

Event 1

At the Anne Neimetz lecture tonight, I gained greater insight into the contribution between the arts and science in a subject I’m particularly passionate about. Fashion has been a big part of my life and I have never thought about the scientific part of it until tonight’s lecture.

Tonight’s lecture helped me understand deeper in the bigger picture of the class because it explained it with a topic I’m interested in. The addition to fashion with actual technology, such as lights on a dress, enhanced the style of the dress, and the artist had to have both scientific and artistic knowledge in order to create the dress and make it look fashionable at the same time.  This example helped me realize the contribution of science to fashion overall, not only in this specific instance. When I pick out my outfit, I make sure that all of the aspects such as the colors, style, and materials work together so the end product is presentable. This can be related to a formula, with all of the ingredients working together to come to the end product.

Tonight’s lecture helped me apply ideas in the class to my own personal life, and that’s significant because I feel

like I can benefit in multiple areas of my life with this broader range of skills.