Week 4 - Medtech + Art

Work by Virgil Wong

As discussed in lecture, the advance of medical technology in recent years has allowed for the progression of art in many different ways. The most immediate transformation has been the ability for artists to now accurately depict the inside of the body, as well as how it functions. This can be seen from artists such as Virgil Wong as he incorporates the internal body in his works.

This newfound influence of medical technology on art has also fostered itself in many other ways. The other day in my Theory of Mind class, we watched a video of a machine capable of transmitting brain signals and making a video out of them. Though the video was rather blurry and only able to make out rough shapes and human faces, I found it fascinating nonetheless. As our medtech continues to grow, we may eventually be able to create physical art just by thinking.

Movie Made from brain activity

EnableTalk Glove

Medtech has also had a profound effect on the art of sign language. Individuals that are unable to speak are now able to purchase a glove that uses an accelerometer to track hand and finger movements and transmit those into speech. They are calling it EnableTalk and all it requires is the glove and a smartphone. This advancement will allow those incapable of speech to communicate with anyone and everyone they should meet without the need for a translator.

Orlan

Though there are many benefits between medical technology and art, I also believe that there are many negatives. One of which is the widespread use of plastic surgery. While it does have its uses for things such as burns or injuries, I am talking about the use of plastic surgery for self beautification. An example of this is Orlan who underwent numerous surgeries in pursuit of a better image. I do not believe this is art, simply because it is solely for personal gain. Art should be for the contentedness of oneself and the appreciation of others. It should not be used to gain status through aesthetic appearance, but to share a small portion of your own mind with the world.

 

Sources and Links:

http://www.azquotes.com/public/pictures/authors/80/d6/80d693d74558b11fee71b6642e6e9dfb/55bc539db6887_orlan.jpg

http://blog.soliant.com/wpcontent/uploads/medical_imaging_turns_into_art_medical_avatar_virgil_wong_so.jpg

http://enabletalk.com/images/prototype_schema.png

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsjDnYxJ0bo

Works Cited:

BBC. "All in the Mind - BBC Brain Story." Dailymotion. BBC, 2000. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Quick, Darren. "Sign Language-to-speech Translating Gloves Take out Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012." Gizmag. GIZMAG, 10 July 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.” Lecture. Medicine pt1 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2016. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/psjnQarHOqQ.” Lecture. Medicine pt2 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2016. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

Wong, Virgil. “Art Exhibited in Galleries and Museums around the World.” Art. N.p., 2012. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. <http://virgilwong.com/art/>.