Week 9: Space+Art

"Eventually, everything connects." -Charles Eames

For so long people like Charles Sagan are wondering and studying the meaning of life. Sagan is one of the people who brings together the idea of the space knowledge and science of space to popular culture. This is quite a fascinating subject when you realize that is has been studied for years and years all the way back to the ancient times. People have been fascinated with space and light and the planets since the beginning of time wondering how it all works and continuing to discover new breathtaking and life changing inventions. All of the concepts that we have been learning about each week bring the knowledge full circle with the idea of space and art. This week is where it all comes together. All the spectrums of  nano tech, biotech, math and robots combine to create new discoveries and show the beauty of space.
 
I think one of the most mesmerizing areas of art is art from space. Richard Clar has been studying the problem of orbital debris in space. He has combined the worlds of art and technology in his work to portray the environmental issues such as orbital debris around planet Earth. This picture shows one of his pieces of work and to me is very beautiful. Clar has collaborated with Aerospace, Naval Research Labs and Boeing his unique artistic vision portrays art technology and densely engineered materials into contemporary art work.

On campus we have our very own Basic Plasma Science facility which generates unique images such as this picture above of a three dimensional laser produced plasma collision. There is the LAPD device which portrays magnetic fields due to wave currents. Space technology and the engineering that goes into developing these machines and devices to capture such images of space is inspiring. There is so much that we cannot see with the human eye such as nano technology and the same goes for space. The research and patience that goes into making space technology to capture moments that are blind to the human eye is amazing. Then these moments are transferred into a picture which creates a piece of artwork for the rest of the world to see.

Apollo 8 Coming Home

There are only a handful of people that actually get to see space with their own eyes. The rest of the human population visualizes it through pictures. The collaboration between space and art has been studied for many years and is only continuing to grow. NASA has an Art Program which highlights images over the past 50 years of commissioned work. The public eye has never physically observed the far side of the Moon so Robert McCall imagines the sight of Apollo 8 on its return back to Earth. The collaboration between space and art is something so valuable and a true piece of art. This week brings the last 8 weeks full circle and shows the diversity and impact that ART has on so many different areas of life.

Works Cited:

 Clar, Richard. "Website of Richard Clar and Art Technologies, a Collaboration between Space Technology and the Arts." Website of Richard Clar and Art Technologies, a Collaboration between Space Technology and the Arts. Art Technologies Webdesign by Studio Resistance, 2005. Web. 29 May 2015.  

 "Basic Plasma Science Facility at UCLA." BaPSF. 2013. Web. 29 May 2015.  http://plasma.physics.ucla.edu/page/research.html

 Newitz, Annalee. "How To Build A Space Elevator And Become An Interplanetary Civilization." How To Build A Space Elevator And Become An Interplanetary Civilization. 12 Feb. 2011. Web. 29 May 2015.  

 Dunbar, Brian. "NASA Art Space." NASA. NASA, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 29 May 2015.  

"A Pale Blue Dot." A Pale Blue Dot. Web. 29 May 2015. 
http://www.bigskyastroclub.org/pale_blue_dot.html

Vesna,Victoria, Lecture. Space Part 1. 2015. Film. May 2015.

Event #3: Hammer Museum

As a senior I have rode my scooter passed this big gray building located across from 800 degrees for four years now. Thankfully, DESMA led me into this fascinating museum. I really enjoyed visiting the Hammer Museum. I have heard about the symmetrical rotational chairs located in the main area which needed up being an entertaining pit stop upon arriving. I had no idea that there was a restaurant and that you were able to eat food in the courtyard area. It seems like it would be a wonderful relaxing quiet place to study or do school work at. 

The first exhibit I went into was Provocations The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio. The lighting in the room of this exhibit was inviting and as little as a contribution it is go the art it made it more enjoyable. This exhibit was filled with different architectural designs of buildings that are around the world. I thought it was cool that there were also pictures of templates of what building would potentially look like in the future. Most of the buildings were very different and modern looking. For example the Learning Hub in Singapore caught my eye. This specific building design was an interesting piece of artwork. I thought it was interesting how much the architecture impacts art and the amount of thought that goes into the design of buildings. I liked how this exhibit had a bunch of models of future renovations and ideas alongside real life pictures of the actual places. The background and foundation of the building and what it looks like on the outside had a connection with its connection among the users. Art is expressed in a variety of ways and the architectural design of a building is one way that certain cultures express their traditions.
 
On the way out of the exhibit I was intrigued by Charles Gaines work. My favorite display at the Hammer had to do with what we discussed about in week 2 of class Math and Art. At first glance I thought it was just a colorful tree but rather when you get closer you realize it is composed of a bunch of numbers in small square boxes. This portrays the many impacts that math has on art culture. Charles Gaines studies the relationships between aesthetics, systems and cognition. He experimented with different ways that systems of shape vision and representation are involved with the things around us. On his grid he would experiment with things such as trees, faces, people and plants primarily through the efforts of photography. His intentions to interpret the impacts that photographs have on aesthetics is an interesting topic I didn't think much about before. I enjoyed my time at the Hammer Museum and enjoyed the interactive pieces of artwork that were presented. 

Week 8: NanoTech + Art

Cardiologist at Washington University have designed nano particles that make blood clots visible through a X-ray technology. This new type of scanner allows for the doctor to see the metals in different colors and therefore interpret and make sure that the patient is stable. This breakthrough technology allows cardiologist to have a efficient way to detect and treat patients with clots and hopefully save lives. Professor Vesna explains nanotechnology's impact on artists are important because it introduces a whole new area of our eyes. Meaning even with the scientists the old methods are older and don't work and these nonscientists have to reinvent how science works. The collaboration within nano scientists will push the paradigm shift that we talked about first week between two cultures over the edge. Nano comes from the greek word for "dwarf" and also means one billionth of something. You are unable to see it with the naked eye. Nano scientist Jim Gimzewski formed very interesting lectures this week and explained the impact that Nanotechnology has on art along with sharing the many benefits and dangers of nanotechnology and art.  He explains nanotechnology in the science perspective but also its affect economically and sociologically. It has an impact of energy and food and informed that almost every aspect of science and technology is somehow impacted by nanotechnology.

                    

"Feeling the Invisible" 

Lotus Flower Leaf

Atoms are so tiny it seems impossible to be able to research and understand such small particles. The Scanning Tunneling Microscope is an invention that creates this opportunity. The STM tip and process to see a image is lengthy. After you trace it you can add color and create a map of the surface and this is when art blends with nanotechnology in someway. Being able to determine the geometry connection betweens diamonds and graphite is manageable due to the study and discovery of nano particles unseen by the human eye. This picture above shows the surface of a lotus flower leaf under an electron microscope. This leaf is known for its cleanliness and states that nano particles live on it. "Composite materials are made up of nano particles in a coating matrix make it possible to manufacture the surface required for the "Lotus-Effect"". The lotus leaf shows how nano technology solutions for self-cleaning are invisible to the eye and scientist who are further investigating will help future developments push the paradigm shift over the edge.

Gimzewski explains that the biggest market today is most likely nano particles. Nano particles are invisible. They go back all the way to Roman times. Ancient material in 15th and 16th century contain nano particles. One piece of ancient artwork from Umbria, Italy contains glazes of copper and silver. What makes this piece of artwork so fascinating is that you would not think there are nano particles within it but nano particles are probably on us right now that we have no idea about.


An interesting part of nanotechnology this week was learning although that they are many up and coming benefits to nano products on the other end there are potential risks of nano products. Dangers of sunscreens rely on nano particles and cosmetics such as L'oreal are examples of products that involve nano products. Small ingredients pose great risks and have to do more testing on them before released. Most products aren't even labeled that they contain nano particles. Nano particles in food and agriculture is common as well. There is food designed specifically for people and the use of nano structures is to capture food allows the food chemicals and flavors that are released and tasted a certain way. The health risks are still poorly understood because there is not much testing and needs to be more efficient test run in order for the nano technology to be labeled in the food products. Reflecting this week to other weeks we really see the immense impact that technology has on art.

Sources:
"Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings." Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings. 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=19644.php


"New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." NanoWiki Tracking Nanotechnology. 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BNew%20nanoparticles%20make%20blood%20clots%20visible%5D%5D

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. A Perth International Arts Festival Exhibition, 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 22 May 2015.
https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology


"What Is Nanoscience? - Materials Science & Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin." Materials Science Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://tmi.utexas.edu/resources/what-is-nanoscience/

Murphy, Cathy. "The Atomic Difference Between Diamonds and Graphite." 18 Feb. 2014. Web. 22
May 2015.
http://sustainable-nano.com/2014/02/18/the-atomic-difference-between-diamonds-and-graphite/

Gimzewski, Jim. Lecture Week 8. May 21, 2015.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/making-stuff.html#making-stuff-smaller

Event #2: LACMA

Security Guard and I on a sunny Friday at LACMA

Friday May 15th I attended LACMA. Coincidentally admission was free today for students so that was a nice bonus after bringing along two of my friends on this day adventure. I had never been inside of LACMA I have just stopped by the famous lamp post outside it to take some pictures. Not knowing what to expect when I entered the museum I did not known which level and exhibit to wonder into first. I ended up walking to Level 3 and entered the Art of China and Korea. I ran into this floating arch or what looked like a resemblance of architecture in Asia. This section was filled with Asian culture and the details and tradition that are engraved in a lot of their artwork is fascinating. The Los Angles County Museum of Art's collection of Korean art is one of the largest in the US and is a special representation that reflects the Korean population and culture. This monument reflects the art that is portrayed in Asian architecture. 

It is the 50th anniversary celebrating LACMA and while wandering the museum I found a little room that recognized all the Lens Work Celebrating LACMA's photography over the 50 years. This represents the technology based practice that is involved with art. It has been developing over the years and the collection presented are examples of the photographic practice that takes place. Technology these days is such a big part of art and the impact is has progressively made over the years is remarkable. I loved reading this excerpt on the wall because the last part says photographs will inspire new ways of perceiving, seeing and believing. I believe that this is prominent in what we have learned so far and in all aspects of life. Art is something that we see everyday. It is seen through a different pair of eyes for all people. The way we perceive, believe and see artwork is impacted heavily and inspired through experimental photography and technology.

As we walked into African textiles and Adornment we were not allowed to take photos but found our way to the Art of the America's Building and came across the collection called Faces of America. I really enjoyed looking around this building because there were so many unique and detailed and historical paintings, monuments, sculptures, pieces of furniture and so on. This particular photo was an oil painting which were all over the the museum. What amazes me most about oil paintings is the layering and time commitment that comes along with them. LACMA is filled with numerous different objects and that is one thing I was not expecting. I enjoyed how the artwork was divided and organized by regions of the world. This kept it organized and allowed the viewer while observing to really connect with the culture.

Event #1: Fowler Museum at UCLA

Thursday I headed over to my first event at the Fowler Museum located on campus. It was my second time visiting Fowler and enjoyed how some of the exhibits changed. The first room I explored was The Reflecting Culture/Collection of Silver. This picture is a display called A Gift of Silver. While looking at this collection it made me think about how it relates to what we have learned in class. Silver has been collected for years and considered supreme art and considered English fashion at the dining table. The excerpt next to the display explains that a gift of silver imparts a sense of distinction and permanence to an occasion and a relationship and it is especially appropriate as a symbol of friendship, love or respect. This exhibits portrays how silver and a piece of decoration or a gift of silver that can be displayed in your home is considered art an has been valuable over the years and has been used in such diverse ways.  

In the Making Strange exhibit by Vivan Sundaram there were many different mannequins dressed in unique clothes made out of medical supplies. Sundaram is one of the leading artists in India today and his collection was comprised of garments and outfits made from surgical masks, x-ray film, bandages and other medical supplies. This exhibit parallels week 4 somewhat with the talk about medicine and art. Sundram created his own piece of artwork and made a line of strange "haute couture" he called it with inventive hospital and medicine materials as the garments. He saw something creative and made this contemporary artwork that is displayed in Fowler for others to interpret their own perspective on his relationship of medical pieces and fashion. This shows the merging of two different areas into one piece of artwork. This photo below looks an entire outfit made out of orthopedic gear. It seems like a sling material fabric was created into a hat, shoes, and shirt to top.

Pinafore 2011 lycra orthopedic supports

Unfortunately, when I asked to take a photo with the of the workers I got denied twice. So instead I asked what I could do for proof of attendance and the lady at front desk stamped my hand which is displayed below. I enjoyed my time at the Fowler and it was nice to connect what I have learned from class so far and relate it to the art collections presented at Fowler Museum. I recommend for my classmates to take a look inside this historic and remarkable museum. It is just another outstanding building that our school has to offer to its students. There is so much to learn about inside and it can serve as a nice activity in your day to explore new artistic cultures displayed by talented artists. 

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

“We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.” –Pablo Picasso

This quote by Pablo Picasso shows the interesting relationship between the brain and art. The mind and memory plays a key role in art and vice versa. After viewing information from this week the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the impact neuroscience has on the art world is ones memory and the ability to draw a portrait. Any artist who sits down at a white canvas and is painting a scenery or portrait of something or someone else they are using their brain and conscious memory to do so. “The human brain is wired in such a way that we can make sense of lines, colors and patterns on a flat canvas. Artists throughout human history have figured out ways to create illusions such as depth and brightness that aren't actually there but make works of art seem somehow more real” (Elizabeth Landau). It all starts with the neurons in our brain able to receive information and create art. This portrait by Claude Monet is an example of a real life image of his water-lily garden. Our brain is able to recognize and draw specific objects due to our ability to remember what things looks like. The ability to translate our thoughts in the brain from looking at it live and converting it into a still picture is result to memory and our conscious mind.

Neuroesthetics is the research of neurological functions and its association with the beauty of art and its connection with the brain. “It turns out that these outlines tap into the same neural processes as the edges of objects that we observe in the real world. The individual cells in the visual system that pick out light-dark edges also happen to respond to lines, Cavanagh said. We'll never know who was the first person to create the first "sketch," but he or she opened the avenue to our entire visual culture” (Landau). Thinking in general is the start to realizing how much of an impact the brains anatomy and its function must have on art. As I looked more deeply into the background of neuroesthetics the advancements of discoveries of neuroscience and the brain are only continuing to develop. I think that the history and learning how the brain embodies all characteristics allows the human body to perform these functions and create such artistic pieces of work. Imaging is used to see what areas of the brain are stimulated when certain functions are being performed. This creates the ability to see interpret certain forms of judgment and shows certain links between the neurons in the brain and artistic activity.

Neuroscientist Greg Dunn dives deeply into the immersion of Asian art and neuroscience. The neuron cells that comprise our brain are portrayed in his paintings through the Asian sumi-e style of painting. His passion for painting reflects and merges with his desire to represents the many fascinations that come with the tiny neurons of our brain. In fact he creates a beautiful expression of art.

Sources:

Tucker, Abigail. "How Does the Brain Process Art?" Smithsonian. 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 May 2015.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-does-the-brain-process-art-80541420/?no-ist

Landau, Elizabeth. "What the Brain Draws From: Art and Neuroscience - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 May 2015.

Hyman, John. "Art and Neuroscience." Web. 15 May 2015. http://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/academics/hyman/files/art_and_neuroscience.pdf

"About | Greg Dunn Design." Greg Dunn Design. Web. 15 May 2015.

Jackson, Candace. “How Art Affects the Brain.” The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 22 2010. Web. 15 May 2015. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703699204575017050699693576.html>.

Week 6: BIoTech+Art

Professor Vesna reiterates that BioTechnology and Art is a controversial topic. After researching the many different aspects and areas that are involved with biotechnology this makes complete sense because there are so many perspectives that are taken into account and the amount of things that could be created are incredible. "Nature is a fascination for artist"(Vesna Lecture). As tech and science evolves biotech genetics is expanding into our bodies and environment, which brings artist into laboratories which dive into going into the cellular tissue level of organisms.

Joe Davis who was the pioneer of Bio Art first explored animals in bio art. He opened the eyes and kickstarted the research of many curious human beings. I've always heard about how they use mice for research purposes although I never realized the depth of actions that are taken place. The fluorescent bunny by Eduardo Kac also known as Alba is one experiment that blew my mind. The EGFG was inserted into fertilized egg cell that eventually grew into Alba. Because Alba is a albino rabbit and has no pigment she was injected with a green fluorescent gene found from a jelly fish. This is a prime example of BioTech Art. The ability to combine two completely different animals genes and create something so unique is genius. If this is going to help advancements to medical treatments in humans and other animals then it seems to be doing something beneficial for all.

The downfall is the negative perspective from the animal protective rights association. When I was in high school I watched the movie Food Inc. It baffles my mind the amount of hormones and different chemicals and unnatural genes that are injected into these animals in order to make ends need for the rest of the populations food industry. What seems so wrong is when they explained how they are not feeding corn to cows who by evolution are supposed to be eating grass. The fact that scientist have managed to redesign a chicken to have bigger breasts in order to produce more white meat is insane. The government’s role about with all this has a lot to do with the controversial concept called GMO. 

The last area I want to touch on from this week is the idea of “designer babies”. 

Although society is not yet fully bale to “order their children” to be made with certain characteristics this is definitely in the running with the growing advancements of biotechnology. The ethical reasons to do this are a huge roadblock. Personally, I do not think that you should choose whether your child has blue or brown eyes, athletic or not and tall or short. Everyone is made uniquely and special they way they are and that is the way society should keep it. BUT, there is no stopping these biochemist and scientist in the labs researching ways to create and pick certain genes for the future children destined to be born. BioTechnology and Art this week has been extremely informing and interesting to research and I truly cannot even imagine what the future holds. 

Sources

Algar, Nicholas. "Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations." Actionbioscience. 1 Apr.

2006. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html>.

Ghose, Tia. "Children to Order: The Ethics of 'Designer Babies'" LiveScience. TechMedia

Network, 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/44087 designer-babies-ethics.html>.

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. Dobrila, Peter T. and Kostic, Aleksandra

(eds.), Eduardo Kac: Telepresence, Biotelematics, and Transgenic Art, 2000.

Web. 4 May 2015. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.

Leake, Lisa. "Some Highlights from the Food, Inc. Documentary - 100 Days of Real

Food."100 Days of Real Food. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 4 May 2015.

<http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/28/some-highlights-from-the-food-inc-documentary/>.

Miranda, Carolina. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. 18 Mar.

2913. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as art-form/>.

"TheTruth About Your Food with FOOD, INC. Filmmaker Robert Kenner." YouTube.

YouTube. Web. 4 May 2015.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Oq24hITFTY>.