Week 9: Space and Art

Comparing space and art is the perfect topic to sum up this course. It embodies all the other topics we learned about such as mathematics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc. I think that the vast size of space makes it very flexible and fascinating to learn about because there are so many small components that make up space.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GxSZ5kXnrU)

One of the supplements that interested me was the Powers of 10 video. The part that intrigued me the most was the fact that even as the point over view zoomed out from the 2 people, as it reached further out into space, there were times of “activity and inactivity”. Some parts of space were highly populated with stars, while others were merely black and it would alternate between the 2 as the view zoomed out. This film shows how perspective can change and that based on scales, an image can differ entirely. This video reminded me of what Robert Gero’s Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces Exhibit was trying to portray. His exhibition shows a “stable exterior and an infinitely expanding interior”. The stable exterior is seen as the edge that the camera creates and we can see that the interior is changing because as we zoom out, it looks different each time. His exhibition is a small scale and example of the powers of ten.

(http://www.eamesoffice.com/the-work/powers-of-ten/)

Another example showing the powers of 10 is Google Maps. Google Maps combines many aspects of this class including space, nanotechnology, mathematics, and many more. Google Map allows us to put the powers of 10 into everyday perspective. By using the application, one can zoom in all the way to looking street view, to zooming out to a larger scale. I think this concept of powers of 10 is extremely important because it symbolizes that the universe and everything in it is constantly changing. There is nothing static in this world and that the opportunities for growth and endless.

(http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/google-in-the-enterprise/put-your-business-on-the-map-the-google-map/)

Works Cited

Hughes, James. "The Power of Powers of Ten." Slate. Web.

Powers of Ten. IBM, 1977. Film.

"Powers of Ten Blog." Blog.powersof10. Eames Office. Web

"Powers of Ten (film)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

"Thinking in Powers of Ten." Eames Office. 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 

Event 1: Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces by Robert Gero

The first event I went to was the Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces by Robert Gero Exhibition at CNSI. Being my first event, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a really interesting exhibition. His exhibit exemplified the connection of mathematics and art. He used perspective to really bring out the infinity aspect of the piece. He also had to calculate the specific angles and use a computer model to build his piece so he was connecting other topics that we learned about such as space, technology, two cultures, etc.

He describes his piece as having a “stable exterior and an infinitely expanding interior”. The idea seems to defy laws of science, how can an object with a solid exterior or finite boundaries have an interior that is continuously being expanded? With the projections, it made it seem possible, and the sounds in the background gave it a very interesting vibe that made you feel like the room was moving or constantly changing.

One thing that I noticed that caught my eye were the pillows in the piece. The pillows were all dark and placed randomly throughout the piece. They contrasted with the white walls and the piece. When I asked Gero what purpose the pillows served, he told me that he liked to “localize the space” by connecting the piece with what is already there. The pillows were originally in the room, so he decided to connect the two together. I thought it was so relevant and important that he did this, to connect the 2 spaces and create something completely new.

I would recommend this exhibit because it was an interesting combination of many topics that we learned about and also because it brings light to advancement in art, science, and our understanding of dimension. His piece reminded me of what I would imagine 4 dimensional space to look like because of the continuous growth in different directions. Gero is also full of insight and it was a pleasure talking to him about his piece.

Robert Gero and I

 "EXHIBITION: Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces." Art Sci UCLA. UCLA Art | Sci Center. Web.

"Four-dimensional Space." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

 "Robert Gero." Robert Gero. Web. 

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating atoms and molecules at a nanoscale (Wikipedia).I didn’t realize that nanotechnology is all around us and that it is incorporated in our daily lives whether we know it or not. The part of the lecture that appealed to me the most is when James Gimzewski talks about nanotechnology in cosmetics.  I thought that makeup was always temporary, but with the nanotechnology, it could have long-term harmful or beneficial effects on one’s face. Being an avid cosmetics user, this really sparked my attention and I knew that there were certain products in cosmetics that are or can be harmful, but learning about nanotechnology, there seems to be a possible alternatives to the dangerous ingredients in cosmetics.

(http://nanoday.com/blog/single/130/use-of-nanotechnology-in-cosmetics-industry)

Many makeup products have paraben in it which is usually used as a preservative. Paraben is used to prolong the life of the cosmetic and in combination with other products, they are used to prevent microbial growth. One way that nanoparticles can possibly replace parabens is by combining the idea of abraxane which is an anticancer drug for breast cancer, and coating the particles so that they are soluble and antimicrobial. Silver nanoparticles can also be used to give cosmetics the antimicrobial effect. These alternatives give nanotechnology a bright future in terms of making cosmetics safer to use.

(http://www.makeuptalk.com/read-the-labels-toxins-in-your-makeup/)

Another possible beneficial effect of nanoparticles is using it as topical medicine. Some nanoparticles can pass through the skin and other cells. Although this as seen as a complication that the nanoparticles can be penetrated deeper because of skin lesions, I think it can be used in a positive way. The nanoparticle has to be sized so that it cannot penetrate though organ cell walls. Nanoparticles can emerge as the next big technology in terms of medicine since it is so versatile. 

(http://nanomed.yolasite.com/applications-in-medicinal-robotics.php)

Nanotechnology in cosmetics helps expand the art community in which people can enhance their natural beauty, disguise themselves, or become someone completely different. This can be a way for someone to express themselves and how they are feeling.

Works Cited

Mullens, Anne. "Parabens: What Are They, and Are They Really That Bad?" Best Health Mag. Reader's Digest Magazines. Web.

"Nanotechnology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

"Nanotechnology in Cosmetics." Nanowerk. Nanowerk. Web.

"Parabens." FDA. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Web. 22 May 2015.

Raj, Silpa et al. “Nanotechnology in Cosmetics: Opportunities and Challenges.” Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences 4.3 (2012): 186–193. PMC. Web.

"Silver Nanoparticles: Properties and Applications." Sigma-Aldrich. Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. Web. 22 May 2015.

UConlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt1-pt6.” Youtube. Youtube, 21 May 2012. Web.

Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system in the body. The emotions and sensations we feel is due to the nervous system. The way we feel about art and how it affects us is due to our minds. Art can challenge our minds to think outside the box and perceive things in new ways.

(http://soundlogik.com/gladkill-perception-review-free-download/)

One way art challenges our minds is through illusions or subliminal images. Subliminal images are used to provoke and stimulate our minds and emotions. One image that is commonly seen is the Tostitos logo. In the logo, you see two people sharing a chip and a bowl of salsa. We might not notice it, but our mind subconsciously picks it up and that can affect how we perceive the product. Our mind is constantly working and both our consciousness and sub-consciousness are important in deciding how we look at art and go through with life. Without sub-consciousness, we might only be able to see things in a one dimensional way rather than pushing our boundaries of thinking.

(http://whatculture.com/offbeat/20-sneakiest-hidden-messages-advertising.php/3)

An example of a futuristic way to use our minds to create art is seen in the movie Big Hero 6. Hiro creates these microbots that can combine together to form different objects. The microbots are controlled by a neurotransmitter; as long as the person wearing the headband thinks of something for the microbots to become, they will form that object. Professor Vesna mentioned in the introduction to the neuroscience lectures “are they expanding our consciousness or are we becoming slaves to machines because they are thinking for us”. I think that it works both ways because as we are able to visually see creations being built in front of us, it helps us gain awareness to our surroundings and what possibilities are out there. But also, the ease of in this example the microbots would take away our thought processes because we would not have to do any physical work of any sorts. I believe that with the help of the microbots as our visual art, it can help our minds reach its maximum potential and expand in rapid ways. This can help us understand how the mind functions and how our thought processes can change so quickly, or how we can think of multiple things at once.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJupofhcWTM)

 Works Cited 

"Big Hero 6 - MicroBots." YouTube. YouTube, 14 Feb. 2015. Web.

 "Conscious vs Subconscious Mind." 2knowmyself. To Know Myself. Web.  

"Microbots." Disney Wiki. Wikia. Web.

"Subliminal Stimuli." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

UConlineprogram. “Neuroscience pt1-pt3.” Youtube. Youtube, 17 May 2012. Web.

Week 6: Biotechnology and Art

Without innovation, there is no progress. This is what science aims to do, to lead us towards progression of the future. Many people today are genetically engineering everything from food to DNA in hopes of making life more understandable and easier for the future. With that said, it all sounds easy, but “everybody’s a critic”. There are many ethnical concerns whenever it comes to genetic engineering or using living subjects as an art platform. As Ellen K. Levy says, there is an ambiguous line between nature and culture. She talks about the Glofish that were going to be sold, but because of ethical and nature concerns, it had trouble doing so. Ultimately, I feel that all these controversies narrow down to the intentions of the project and the stereotypes that live behind the person running the project. If you see an artist working with an animal, more people are likely to reject the idea than if a scientist were to conduct the same experiment because they believe that science is good. Whereas, the artist would be critiqued that he or she is just doing the experiments for fun and not for the better of the future. Example of this is Eduardo Kac’s Alba. In terms of science, it was a breakthrough because GFP is widely used today for studies, but at first it was critiqued because there was no real reason for it other than for art. All of this comes down to how much participation the public gets. When the public gets more say in it, more problems appear because you want to satisfy everyone.

Glofish

(http://www.thatpetplace.com/aquarium-livestock/glofish#!glofish)

GFP bunny

(http://www.digitalarti.com/blog/digitalarti_mag/eduardo_kac_biological_art)

For example, in terms of food, many of them are modified to grow faster and larger, basically so that people get the most bang for their buck. “Normal” people would be happy about this, but then there are others who believe that food should not be altered and what not because of the harmful side effects that could take place. Many of the meats that we eat at fast food restaurants are probably tampered with in terms of additives and what not. To certain populations such as the lower class, this wouldn’t matter to them because they are worried about being fed for the cheapest price. But then again, there are people complaining of the living conditions of the animals and how it is inhumane. There is just a never ending amount of debates in terms of science. I feel that sometimes it’s just better for the public not to know what is going on with research as long as nothing is harmed along the way.

Genetically modified apple

(http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2013/09/27/syringes-gas-masks-and-frankenfood-visuals-of-the-gmo-debate)

Works Cited

Clendaniel, Morgan. "The Genetically Modified Food You Eat Every Day." Co.Exist. Fast Company, 13 Nov. 2014. Web.

"Genetically Modified Food." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

Glenn, Linda. "Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics." Actionbioscience. AIBS, 1 Nov. 2013. Web.

Kelty, Christopher. Outlaw, hackers, Victoria amateurs: diagnosing public participation in the life sciences today, Jcom 09(01) (2010) C03

Levy, Ellen. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.”Context Providers: Conditions of Meaning in Media Arts. Eds. Margot Lovejoy, Christiane Paul, and Victoria Vesna. University of Chicago Press: 2011.

UConlineprogram. “Robotics pt1-pt3.” Youtube. Youtube, 15 April 2012. Web.

Week 4: Medical Technology and Art

It is amazing to think that something as concrete as medical technology is capable of being an assistant to creating art, something so fluid. From this week’s lecture and resources, I learned that using medical technology as a tool, one can take the human body as a canvas to express oneself through art.

Art is usually either aesthetically pleasing or it causes the audience to feel some sort of emotion. Technological advances allows us to create and view art not only from the outside of the body, but also the internal body. One way of using the human body for art is through using MRIs. Marilene Oliver took MRIs and created 3D sculptures (Abbot, S17). Casini talks about how MRI is seen as a portrait, which is why it can be considered art because it does require photography (Casini, 88).

MRI Art

(http://www.marileneoliver.com/current_projects/currentprojects.html)

Although I can see using MRIs as a form of art, plastic surgery crosses the boundary in my opinion. The objective of plastic surgery used to be mainly for health benefits such as curing someone, but in popular culture now, it is used for enhancing one’s beauty. To me, art should be natural. Like Walter Benjamin states, “Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its

Presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be” (Benjamin, 1936). The reasons for why people use plastic surgery is not an art form because they are following and creating standards for people to follow. Art is about being creative and different, not conformity. Orlan goes through several rounds of plastic surgery to demonstrate how the male artist portrays female beauty. This is so harmful and stressful on the body that, it does not seem like a form of art. The more she works on her body, the more disfigured she appears. I also found it very ironic because in an interview, she says, “my goal was to be different”, but is she being different if she is taking the most notable body parts of these female portraits and placing it on herself (Jeffries, 2009).

Plastic Surgery

(http://www.budapestbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/plastic_sugery.jpg)

Orlan 

(https://scarlettgoeswest.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/lost-in-narcissus-mirror/)

As far as medical technology and art going hand and hand, I think there is a fine line that should not be crossed because it can become dangerous when used in the wrong ways. Also, I find it debatable whether some medical technologies really can be used to create art or not because it defeats the technologies main purpose and as you work and alter a piece more and more, it holds less essence of art.

Works Cited

Abbott, Wynn. "Feature: Medical Interventions—visual Art Meets Medical Technology." The Lancet 368 (2006): S17-18. Web.

Bejamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” 1936. Web.

Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between Science and the Arts." Configurations: 73-99. Web.

Jeffries, Stuart. "Orlan's Art of Sex and Surgery." The Guardian. The Guardian, 1 July 2009. Web.

"Orlan." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

UConlineprogram. “Medicine pt1-pt3.” Youtube. Youtube, 21 April 2012. Web.

Week 3: Robotics and Art

The industrialization of the US and Japan led to different representations of robots in films. Kusahara points out that the West portrays robots as evil or scary, while in Japanese movies, robots are usually portrayed to help and rescue people (“Robotics MachikoKusahara 1”). Benjamin Walter talks about a loss of aura with the progression of time and how that aura is the originality that cannot be reproduced (Walter, 1936). I found this very interesting, especially as to how industrialization comes into play and how movies influence us today.

In the west, robots were created as a “response to the mechanization of labor” (“Robotics pt 1-3”). As industrialization took place, many laborers lost their jobs in response to these robotic machines. An example of this is in the movie “The Imitation Game”. At first, many workers were working by hand to decode a message from the Nazi communication device, Enigma. Soon, Alan Turing builds a machine that could decode the messages, so there is no need for people to do this by hand anymore.

Fig 2: Alan Turing and his machine

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/imitation-game.jpeg)

In the movie Big Hero 6, there is a bit of Japanese culture mixed into it even though it was produced in the US. Baymax is a robot that is created as a personal healthcare companion. His purpose was to provide better healthcare essentially. If Baymax worked properly, then there would be a mass production of him and thus minimizing the need for actual doctors and workers.

Fig 3: Baymax

(http://www.cinesnob.net/baymax-big-hero-6/)

The different portrayals of robots in film show how industrialization has affected different cultures. In the west, one could conclude that robotics and machines are leading to loss of Walter’s “aura” because people do not have to work as hard since machines can do it all for us. There is a constant battle of doing what is easy and trying to keep people employed. I personally think that some humans can be evil because of our selfishness and not caring what happens to other people as long as things are done quicker and it benefits ourselves. Whereas when you look at the reasons why Japan has built robots, they are trying to better the community by helping others and improving society. Also, in a lot of Western films, robots are deemed as violent where as in Japanese films, robots are cute and more child friendly. It really reflects on the West and how violence is embedded into our culture.

Fig 3: Robotic machines 

 (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/business/new-wave-of-adept-robots-is-changing-global-industry.html)

Works Cited

"History of the United States Industrialization and Reform (1870-1916)." Theusaonline.com. The USA Online. Web. 17 Apr. 2015..

"Japan's Modern History: An Outline of the Period." Japan's Modern History: An Outline of the Period | Asia for Educators | Columbia University. Asia for Educators. Web.

UConlineprogram. “Robotics MachikoKusahara 1.” Youtube. Youtube, 14 April 2012. Web.

UConlineprogram. “Robotics pt1-pt3.” Youtube. Youtube, 15 April 2012. Web.

Walter, Benjamin. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” 1936. Web.