Week 4: MedTech + Art

This week’s topic was the most interesting one for me among all the previous ones. I’m studying electrical engineering at UCLA and I’ve been always specifically interested in medical devices or gadgets. So, integration of technology and medicine was something I was pretty familiar with, but I had never thought of the place of art in all this. To have a look at the future of medical technologies, the following video provides a good list on the trends that will probably shape the coming years in healthcare. You can notice the role of art in each of the designs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Lovgwmtuc

As Professor Vesna explained, art and artists have been inspired by the study of medicine, particularly human body, from early times. Advancements in imaging technologies and development of medical databases in recent years, however, have made it easier for artists to explore the anatomy of human body. In her article, Silvia Casini  investigates the use of MRI in the scientific laboratory and in several artworks, and draw similarities between MRI images and human portraits. 

The Ruskin School of Art offers courses to those who wish to study human anatomy with highly 

regarded artists ; 
http://www.rsa.ox.ac.uk/study/short-courses/human-anatomy

However, I was amazed to learn that medical technologies and procedures have also been a great source of inspiration to the artists. As an example, the French sculptor and body artist, Mireille Suzanne Francette Porte or Orlan, has used plastic surgery operations on herself to reflect on the concept of beauty. This way, she expresses her stance against historical stereotypes of female beauty. 

At each surgery, one element of her face is transformed to resemble that of a famous work of art, for example, Leonardo' da 

Vinci's Mona Lisa; 

http://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2013/june/19/body-artist-orlan-sues-lady-gaga/

Another interesting exhibition which has incorporated medicine and medical technologies is at The Science Center Berlin. In its interactive installations, visitors learn about the complex movement of the body. They can for example look underneath their skin and see which arm muscles are tightened during certain movements. 

The Science Center Berlin| The white aluminum facade is modeled after the structure of muscle fibers, and the focus of its exhibition is on walking and grasping, as a central feature of human development; 
https://www.museumsportal-berlin.de/de/museen/ottobock-science-center-berlin/

Sources

1. "Body Artist Orlan Sues Lady Gaga | Art | Agenda." Phaidon. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2017. <http://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2013/june/19/body-artist-orlan-sues-lady-gaga/>.

2. Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the arts." Configurations 19.1 (2011): 73-99.

3. "Ottobock Science Center Berlin." Museumsportal Berlin. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2017. <https://www.museumsportal-berlin.de/de/museen/ottobock-science-center-berlin/>.

4. The Ruskin School of Art - Human Anatomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2017. <http://www.rsa.ox.ac.uk/study/short-courses/human-anatomy>.

5. "The 10 Most Exciting Technologies Shaping The Far Future Of Medicine! - The Medical Futurist." YouTube. N.p., 27 May 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Lovgwmtuc>.

6. Vesna, Victoria. “MedTech and Art.” DESMA 9. Lecture.

EVENT 1

Event:  Art|Sci Eco-centric Art+Science Week | Workshops with Linda Weintraub

Artist: Linda Weintraub

Location: UCLA Art|Sci Gallery

California NanoSystems Institute

Date: 19 April 2017

Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm

Event link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artsci-eco-centric-artscience-week-workshops-with-linda-weintraub-tickets-33102462356#

Linda Weintraub is well known for her efforts in exposing a broad range of audiences to contemporary art and new ideas. She’s an educator, artist, and author who believes that today environmental consciousness plays a significant role in contemporary art.

Her workshop introduced me to the idea of Neo-materialism and Neo-materialists for the first time. As she explained, Neo-materialists have two major arguments:1)They believe that digital age and virtual world have distanced us from encountering with real physical materials and the environment, and 2) they assert that mass production has taken away the essential element of life and experience, the element of wonder and excitement.

I found these ideas in high correlation to what we learned this week.  We studied the effects of industrialization on art and I elaborate on this topic in my previous blog post. As we learned, many, including Walter Benjamin, believe that industrialization and mass production have destructed originality and uniqueness of artworks, or in other words they have killed aura and authenticity of the art. Although I agreed with some of their points, as I mentioned before, I thought technology has had its positive impacts on art.

But when Linda discussed these ideas again, and exposed us to her exhibition in the workshop, I came to agree more with Benjamin or others with similar arguments. There were 5 small circles and a bigger one, each associated with one of our five senses, in the room.  Each circle held some boxes that contained elements of the woods, (e.g. wild mushrooms) and they had instructions on their cover. I examined a few circles, and I was amazed by what I could only figure out with my sensations. I needed not a single technology to help me realize which ground was rough, what shape a pinecone had, or which mushroom smelled like sulfur! The most interesting discovery, however, was about myself. I realized which sensation was the strongest in me. My sense of touching could tell me way more than what my eyes, or nose could even tell. Also,  I was amazed by the feeling of wonder that was running through my veins. I was totally absorbed! When my eyes were closed, as the instruction said, and I was touching all the pinecones my head was full of questions and I was restless to open my eyes and see what I was feeling.

After all, I understood the objections that were brought up by the Neo-materialists much better, and the need for such activism. Especially, as someone whose background is in engineering, I believe I should be well aware of the deficiencies of the technology. Technology is lifeless, and therefore, one must not rely on it solely if he/she wishes to experience the life fully. So, I would definitely recommend this event to all of you who don’t get to experience natural environment as much, and those of you who wish to experience something different and amazing. 

Week 3: Robotics + Art

Contrary to what we read and learned in past weeks, this week’s discussion involved the instances where technology has imposed limitations on art or human life in general. Many critics, including Walter Benjamin, believe that industrialization and mass production has inevitably resulted in degradation of art. In his article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Benjamin argues that technology and mechanical reproduction has taken away originality and uniqueness from artworks, changed the functionality and purpose of art, and it that sense it has imposed a doom upon real art.

Mass Production of Art in China, http://www.spiegel.de/international/china-s-art-factories-van-gogh-from-the-sweatshop-a-433134.html

I agree with Benjamin in certain ways.  As discussed in the lecture, dehumanization of the workers, Fascism, and World War 2 were only a few disastrous results of industrialization. However, I believe that technology has brought many advantages to the human race that one cannot simply ignore. In this context, I found Douglas Davis’ article to present a more comprehensive view on the potentials of  technology. As he puts it, “the aura, supple and elastic, has stretched far beyond the boundaries of Benjamin's prophecy into the rich realm of reproduction itself.” He believes that digital world has evolved the way we interact with the outside world so much that we can no longer speak of originality. As he says, “Images, sounds, and words are received, deconstructed, rearranged, and restored wherever they are seen, heard, and stored,” and therefore, “the two states, one pure and original, the other imitative and impure, are now fictions.” So, I believe that not only older definitions of art have vanished, but also a new from of art is introduced by industrial revolution. The following video looks at some of the changes that were brought to the field of art by industrialization. 

Arts and Culture During The Industrial Revolution, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXivAiMXClg

For example, a human portrait can be easily manipulated with the aid of computers, and it can be reproduced millions and millions of times. In this sense, each user can be turned into an artist depending on how he/she uses each unique fragment to create a new composition. So although digital age has made copying and mimicking simpler, it has also made creations as simple.

http://www.bestthinbezelmonitor.com/monitor

/best-monitor-photo-editing/

Digital era has influenced artists, photographers, filmmakers, and, writers, it has given them new tools to explore their imaginations, and to exhibit their creations in a second.  So, I believe that mass production and mechanization has helped the artists in many ways. It's now down to us (or the artists) whether or not we use the technology correctly. 

Sources

1. "Arts and Culture During THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION." YouTube. YouTube, 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXivAiMXClg>.

2. Benjamin, Walter. "The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction." Film Theory and Criticism 4 (2006): 665-82.

3. "Best Monitor for Photo Editing 2016." Best Thin Bezel Monitor. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.bestthinbezelmonitor.com/monitor /best-monitor-photo-editing/>.

4. Davis, Douglas. "The work of art in the age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995)." Leonardo (1995): 381-386.

5. Paetsch, Martin. "China's Art Factories: Van Gogh From the Sweatshop - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International." SPIEGEL ONLINE. SPIEGEL ONLINE, 23 Aug. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.spiegel.de/international/china-s-art-factories-van-gogh-from-the-sweatshop-a-433134.html>.

6. Russo, Lauren. "INDUSTRIALISM’S IMPACT: REFLECTIONS OF ARTISTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION." (2013).

7. Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics  and Art.” DESMA 9. Lecture.

Week 2: Math + Art

Before this class, if someone had asked me if I knew that mathematics and art are connected and that one can reflect the other in many ways, I would definitely say: Yes! However, I’d immediately add: I’m not sure of the extent! Now, I believe I understand the vast common ground between math and art much better. The following video, illustrates the elegant geometry of the famous Mona Lisa portrait in details.

The Mathematics of Art | http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/art/art1.html

http://cinemathsparadise.blogspot.com/2016_05_01_archive.html

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

When I watched the lecture videos and read Linda Henderson’s article and Abbot’s novel, I realized how mathematician, scientists, and artists have influenced each other throughout the history. While scientists have provided the artists with means and sources of ideas for their creations and have affected their creativity, artists or architects have also helped spreading scientific ideas. In "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion”, Linda Henderson explains how, for example, Einstein’s relativity theory has stimulated new dimensional arts.  Or in Abbot’s Flatland, we can see how the idea of dimensions has influenced the author of the novel. The novel also proves how mathematical or scientific ideas can be made intelligible for people through illustrations of art.

For example, the mathematics teacher and the artist, Patrick Honner, have created Building Sines to produce a learning activity for his students. He has used computer programs to transform his photography in mathematical ways.  He has created an interesting visual effect by compressing the original image along a vertical sine wave,

Building Sines, by Patrick Honner

http://gallery.bridgesmathart.org/exhibitions/2013-bridges-conference/phonner

Whether we like it or not, mathematics and art are inseparable. And therefore, people in the fields of humanities and in scientific fields should be aware of this integration and benefit the most from it. As someone who’s interested in becoming a professor one day, I’m now thinking of taking advantage of mathematically-inspired artworks to better teach science.

Sources

1. Abbott, Edwin Abbott. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. New York: Penguin, 1998. Web. 15 Apr. 2017

2. Cinemaths Paradise. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <http://cinemathsparadise.blogspot.com/2016_05_01_archive.html>.

3. Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion." Leonardo 17.3 (1984): 205-10. JSTOR. Web. 15 Apr. 2017.

4. Mathematical Art Galleries. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <http://gallery.bridgesmathart.org/>.

5. "Mathematical Masterpieces: Making Art From Equations." Discover Magazine. N.p., 28 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <http://discovermagazine.com/mathart>.

6. The Mathematics of Art - Math Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/art/art1.html>.

7. Vesna, Victoria. “Math and Art.” DESMA 9. Lecture.

Week 1: Two Cultures

http://interchangeproject.org/2011/10/07/
the-marriage-of-technology-and-the-liberal-arts/

C.P. Snow’s notion of “two cultures” resonates deeply in me. As an electrical engineering student, I personally feel the separation of literary and scientific cultures in my life. Being raised in a family of all engineers, I never really got the chance to explore the fields of humanities or arts. My cultural and educational backgrounds direct my attention and interests to a narrow domain, and I gradually lost my confidence and even interests in pursuing other fields. Even at UCLA, I didn’t get to step out of my comfort zone as UCLA readily divided for me the engineering life at south campus and the humanities world at north campus.  However, there have been plenty of times in my life that I’ve felt the thirst for connecting to other people and other worldviews.

In 1959, C.P. Snow, the British governmental science adviser and novelist, delivered a lecture at Cambridge University in which he identified separation of what he called “the two cultures” as a serious issue in the English society. Snow argued that ignorance of science and technology within the literary community and the vice versa would impose a far-reaching danger on humans progress. However, as Paula Apsell asserted at New York Academy of Sciences, the problem today does not limit to lack of communication between literary intellectuals and scientific community, but it has expanded to a gap between science and the public as well.

http://www.sfu.ca/fcat.html

As a student, I now better understand the importance of bridging the gap between science, arts, technology, and the people. Fortunately, according to John Brockman, there are many scientists who are currently trying to tackle this task. They are the ones who have generated the "third culture."

Reading Kevin Kelly’s article on the emerging “culture of nerds” opened a new perspective to me and filled my heart with hopes. I now hope that I can use my expertise in engineering and technology in future to create opportunities for connecting science to our daily life and people. I’m also eager to incorporate artistic elements in technical designs. As John Lasseter, an American animator, once said, " the art challenges the technology , and the technology inspires the art." 

http://inspirationfeed.com/articles/technology-articles
/the-merging-of-art-and-technology

Sources

1. Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.

2. Kelly, Kevin. "ESSAYS ON SCIENCE AND SOCIETY:The Third Culture." Science 279.5353 (1998): n. pag. Web.

3. Williams, Christopher M. "Academy EBriefings." EBriefings at the Academy | The New York Academy of Sciences. N.p., 24 July 2009. Web. 07 Apr. 2017.

4. Graham-Rowe, Duncan. "John Brockman: Matchmaking with Science and Art." John Brockman: Matchmaking with Science and Art | Edge.org. N.p., 3 Feb. 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2017.

5. "The Connection Between Art and Technology." PIXAR. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2017.