For my fifth event, I attended the Art + Brain & Morpho Nano Launch put on by Professor Vesna, James Gimzewski, David Familian, and Linda Weintraub. As we waited for the event to begin, we were given the chance to explore the room. I immediately came across Professor Vesna's book, Morphonano. In collaboration with scientist James Gimzewski, the infusion of science and art in the pieces was evident. My personal favorite was the Zero Wavefunction work which explores the concept of slow movement. Through the projection of ball like images called "buckyballs," participants are drawn into an active shadow play, creating a sense of bodily awareness as every movement affects the image.
Once the presentation began, each artist and scientist briefly introduced themselves and spoke a bit on the current state of nanotechnology and art as well as their role in the field. One of the professors spoke about how government funded science projects are not doing as well as they used to be. In fact, tax payers continue to show an increasing distaste with tax money going towards scientific research. As a result, government funding of research projects has slowly been cutting down over the years.
Despite the cut in funds, the professor appeared optimistic for the future of science due to the profound effect that art has had on the field. He talked about how the use of art in science has made it much more accessible to the public. Reflecting the general theme of our class, the presentation consisted of talking about how art and science have had such beneficial impacts upon one another. By fusing the two together, they are able to accomplish more than they ever could on their own.
Together, Gimzewski, Familian, and Weintraub helped to enforce everything that Professor Vesna has been teaching us for the last quarter. Science is an inherently difficult subject, deterring a large amount of individuals from studying it. However, with the application of art, science becomes much easier to understand and relate to. Similarly, science has helped art by fostering a whole new subject for creativity and expression of thought. Together, art and science open doors for each other that would never be available on their own. I would have highly recommended this presentation to anyone in the class because it served as an excellent conclusion to the course.
For my fourth event, I attended the Staring in the Age of Destruction exhibition. S.A.D. consisted of many different works with many different artists. After looking around for a fair amount of time, I came across Lydia Gu's "The Melting Pot." Initial sticking out because of the intriguing progression of the piece, I later found it to be the most interesting and relevant to our class due to the meaning behind it.
"The Melting Pot" is a series of images beginning with what appears to be a bountiful and varied arrangement of food, and ending with a metal tray filled with white shapes. After talking to Lydia about the piece, I learned that it was inspired mostly by the recent presidential campaign of none other than Donald Trump himself. Lydia explained that so much of American food is influenced by the many different ethnic groups in the US, making our food a, "melting pot." She also explained how Trump has made assertions to ban certain ethnic groups, should he come into presidency. Taking these together, Lydia's piece is meant to show what would happen to the future of our cuisine should we lose our ethnic diversity.
I really enjoyed this specific work because I felt it to be the most relevant to what is going on in the world today. It is no secret that Trump's election has stirred up many undesirable feelings across the globe. By using food, Lydia is able to comment on an extremely touchy subject in a relaxed way. Though the piece only shows the progression of American foods, it also serves as a metaphor to what could happen in other areas. One of America's greatest strengths is that it is a melting pot and that there is huge amount of diversity everywhere you go. It is diversity that makes not only our food amazing, but also our schools, our community, and our day to day interactions.
I believe Lydia's "Melting Pot" ties in perfectly with our class because it utilizes art to discuss and portray something that is not normally easy to discuss. However, rather than making a scientific concept more easily understandable, it makes a huge social issue present in modern society more easily understandable. As we have seen time and time again, art can serve as an excellent vessel for bringing more complicated subjects to the attention of the public, making it invaluable to many aspects of our lives. As with my other events, I would also highly recommend the S.A.D. exhibition to anyone in the class. It took the concept of art helping science and applied it to social norms, reinforcing everything we have been discussing for the past quarter.
For my third event I attended Sam Wolk's presentation on phenotypes, genes, and predator-prey interactions. Having not studied anything remotely related to biology since high school, I walked into the event thinking it would be a bit over my head. However, I soon found that the graphical representations Wolk created made it easily understandable to even non-science majors like myself.
For the first portion of the presentation, Wolk provided a graph to help us not only understand, but visually conceptualize why stronger phenotypes of genes are passed down while weaker ones die out. The graph used genes as columns and individuals with different phenotypes as rows. Wolk added red dots over the portions of the screen where the phenotype helped the organism survive. The dots began to cluster around certain phenotypes as time elapsed, helping the audience to visualize what exactly happens as certain phenotypes pass on while others die out. Tying in perfectly with our class, the artistic simulation helped serve to explain a difficult scientific concept.
Next, Wolk ran a simulation on what happens in a predator-prey situation. In the simulation, the prey were represented by blue dots while predators were represented by red dots. The most amazing aspect of this portion of the presentation was that a computer program was able to simulate a real life predator-prey scenario. Once the simulation began, the blue dots immediately formed groups upon learning the presence of the red dots. However, unable to reproduce and defend themselves adequately, the red dots eventually formed large enough clusters to overtake the blue dots.
Sam Wolk's presentation echoed the common theme throughout our class that art and science can be used together to accomplish something greater than when they are taken on their own. By utilizing an artistic representation of phenotypes, genes, and predator-prey interactions, Wolk was able to make the scientific concepts both fascinating, and easily understandable. Wolk appealed both to our sense of logic as well as our sense of aesthetics. The combination of art and science reflects the essence of our desma class, serving as a perfect culmination of everything I have learned over the past quarter. I would have highly recommended Sam Wolk's presentation to anybody both in and out of the desma 9 class.
I found Space and Art to be the most interesting of the different topics that we looked at over the course of the quarter. We have all considered space and what it is like out there, but I never really considered the profound influence that art has had upon space technology. Roger Malina presents this very concept in the Leonardo Space Project when he explains just how much art and the cultural imagination of artists and writers has gone into helping the advancement of space technology. What was once regarded as science fiction is now becoming a reality.
Virgin Galactic
First depicted in shows such as Star Trek, or The Jetsons, space travel seemed like such a far off concept. However, the private business Virgin Galactic is pioneering the development of the first commercialized human spaceflight. The company hopes that through the expansion to space, they will be able to significantly change the world in a positive way. This very invention is the result of the boundless imaginations of movie writers and artists.
Use of Zero Gravity in art
As has been a constant theme throughout the many weeks, space and art have had a mutually beneficial relationship, helping each other to grow in many ways. One of the applications I found most interesting is the use of zero gravity in art. As we learn more about space and our intrigue for it grows, so too does our intrigue for its utilization within art. The use of art and zero gravity attempts to create the condition of weightlessness on earth through photography and video. It encapsulated the imagination of the viewer, presenting something that we know is out there, but have yet to experience for ourselves (or at least for most of us).
Floatation Tank
Our desire to experience zero gravity has grown with the development of space and art. This can be seen in the development of floatation tanks and zero gravity chambers. Both of these work to mimic the effects of zero gravity, making it affordable for an individual to experience weightlessness first hand. It is amazing to consider how space and art continue to reinforce each other, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this kind of technology.
- Contributors. "Isolation Tank." Wikiwand. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 26 May 2016.
- Forde, Kathleen. "Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity." Dancing on the Ceiling. Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media, n.d. Web. 26 May 2016.
- "Human Spaceflight - Virgin Galactic." Virgin Galactic. 2016 Virgingalactic, n.d. Web. 26 May 2016.
-“Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers.” Leonardo Space Art Project. MIT Press, 1996. Web. 25 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 1)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 2)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 3)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 4)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 5)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art (Part 6)." UCLA. Lecture. 26 May 2016.
For my second event I attended Maša Jazbec's presentation on the history of robotics as well as their current state today. This event reinforced my understanding of robotics as well as the influence that art has had on its extremely rapid development over the course of recent years.
Maša Jazbec's presentation began with a simple robot that serves solely to pour tea and ended with one that is able to walk around, pick up items, and even get up when it has fallen. Throughout the presentation I couldn't help but notice how closely it related to the robotics and art unit covered during week 3. It is amazing to look at how much movies and shows such as Star Trek and The Jetson's have influenced both the functionality and physical appearance of robots today.
Another interesting comparison I noticed was how highly Maša Jazbec spoke of robots and their eventual blending in with human society. Based on the advancements made so far, she viewed lifelike robots and artificial intelligence as an inevitable creation for the near future. This related to guest speaker Machiko Kusahara's discussion on the differing views of the East and the West on robots. Countries such as Japan are extremely welcoming to the idea of robots entering our daily lives, while western countries such as the US are more wary of what may come with that. It was awesome to see the excitement Maša Jazbec held for this possibility as she spoke of robots eventually being like another species of our world.
Though the event was only a one time presentation, I would have highly recommended anyone to attend. It was great to get a fresh perspective from a current expert in the field of robotics. The presentation went hand and hand with the unit provided by Professor Vesna on robotics and has been beneficial in furthering my understanding of the mutual influence of robotics and art.
This week we discussed the development of nanotechnology and the influence that it has had upon both art and science. Nanotechnology involves manipulation of matter that is not visible to the naked eye. For this reason, art has developed in a way that it utilizes new techniques to allow the viewer to connect with the tiny matter.
Nano-Scape
An example of this is the Nano-Scape by Christa Sommelier and Laurent Mignonneau. Rather than creating something that appeals to visual senses, this interface attempts to make the nano-world accessible through touch. This project uses magnetic forces to allow individuals to feel the nano-particles. I find it amazing that art has adapted in a way to accommodate tactile senses where actual perception is not possible.
Boo Chapple's Transjuicer
Another example of art adapting in new ways can be seen in Boo Chapple's "Transjuicer." This time, however, it allows the viewer to interact with the nano-world through sound. The project attempts to create vibrations within a bone in order to create audible sounds. As nanotech develops, we have learned that there are many phenomena that occur outside of human capacity. The Transjuicer and Nano-Scape are but two of the ways that art attempts to bring us into contact with this other world.
Artist Representation of Molecules
Art has also served a large role in the development of nanotechnology. Since nanotech operates on such a minuscule scale, it takes an extremely powerful microscope for scientists to see the actual particles. Seeing that most individuals do not have access to this kind of technology, art has helped in a way that it depicts exactly what particles look like at this level. Since even the smallest of changes greatly alter the particles, artists must have great precision in order to accurately portray them.
⁃Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Lovgren, Steven. "Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 23 Dec. 2003. Web. 19 May 2016.
- "Seeing at the Nanoscale." Nano. Nanotechnolgy 101, n.d. Web. 20 May 2016.
⁃Sommerer, Christa, and Laurent Mignonneau. “Nano-Scape: An Invisible Interactive Structure.” NanoScape. N.p., 2002. Web. 18 May 2016.
⁃“Visceral: Interview with Boo Chapple.” Sciencegallery.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.
This week we discussed the development of neuroscience and its affects on art as well as arts effects on neuroscience. Neuroscience is concerned predominantly with the nervous system and how neurons are responsible for communication between cells. From filmmaker, Noah Hutton, we learn that neurosci and art both mutually affect one another. Art is often used to inform us about our brains physical structure and inner workings. Similarly, our brains allow us to interpret and benefit from works of art. An example of this can be seen in Greg Dunn's "sumi-e" art that infuses minimalist style art with neurons as a motif. Neuroscience allows us to draw the neuron properly while art allows us to all see what it looks like.
"Two Pyramidals" by Greg Dunn
Johns Hopkins University set up a study called "Beauty and the Brain: A Neural Approach to Aesthetics," that considered the question of what exactly attracts the brain to artwork. This brought in the concept of aesthetic emotion -- emotions that are felt during aesthetic activity or appreciation. Aesthetic emotion is felt in a number of ways, but the two I found most interesting is in its application to amateur magic tricks, and coloring books.
Child Reacting to a "Magic" Trick
I had a bit of a magic phase during high school and many of my tricks relied upon artfully setting up and executing the specific trick. Unknown at the time, my small performances utilized aesthetic emotion in order to derive pleasure for both parties. The guest experienced pleasurable aesthetic emotion by witnessing something that tugged the curiosity of their mind, begging the question: "How did he do that?" For me however, the pleasure I experienced was from the many perplexed and amazed looks that would often follow the performance.
My other example, coloring books, demonstrates the mutual affects of neuroscience and art. My mother recently started coloring in coloring books as a method of de-stressing at the end of her day. Here we see the effects of art on the brain rather than the effects of neuroscience on art. As testified by my mom, the act of engaging in a simple, yet creative task served as an effective way to relax. Coloring books is just one of the many forms of art that can help calm our nerves and relax.
- Alba, Deane. "The Mental Health Benefits of Art Are for Everyone." Be Brain Fit. Be Brain Fit & Blue Sage, LLC, 21 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
- Dunn, Gregory. Greg A. Dunn Design. Web. 10 May 2016.
- Hutton, Noah. "Art and the Limits of Neuroscience." Opinionator. New York Times, 4 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 May 2016.
- John Hopkins University. "Beauty and the Brain: A Neural Approach to Aesthetics." The Walters Art Museum, 23 Jan. 2010. Web. 10 May 2016.
- Kemp, Gary. "Collingwood's Aesthetics." Stanford University. Stanford University, 21 Aug. 2007. Web. 10 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Conscious / Memory (Part 1)." UCLA. Lecture. 10 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Conscious / Memory (Part 2)." UCLA. Lecture. 10 May 2016.
- Vesna, Victoria. "Conscious / Memory (Part 3)." UCLA. Lecture. 10 May 2016.
