Week 9: Space and Art

Studying the history of space technology this week proved to me how powerful an influence world politics has on many aspects of our society. Were it not for the Cold War, the space technology developed in the United States in the period after World War II arguably would have taken years and years longer to take shape. Because of the arms race between the Soviet Union and United States, the world experienced a rapid increase in the type of technology that up until that point had been the stuff of science fiction and fantasy.

Graphic showing the mentality of the 'arms race'
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What was most interesting for me was to study how science fiction was able to influence and inspire scientists. Technology such as the space elevator or the zero gravity battle room in the novel 'Ender's Game' push scientists to expand the boundaries of what space technology can be. This interplay between writers, whose basic understanding of science enables them to be creative and ignore the 'impossible, and scientists has resulted in technology that previously would have been considered impossible.

Space Elevator
<http://images.spaceref.com/news/2015/space_elevator_2015_hungary_945.jpg>

Zero Gravity Battle Room from 'Ender's Game'
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While space-related science fiction has inspired scientists, the same is true of scientists inspiring artists. With the development of space technology such as satellites and telescopes, the human race for the first time was able to see images of life away from Earth. These astounding images of galaxies far far away, of suns and exploding stars, have influenced generations of artists. One such artist is Mark A. Garlick, a self-proclaimed amateur astronomer, illustrator, and designer. His website includes beautiful pieces he created for science agencies and space lovers.

Garlick's website link: http://www.space-art.co.uk/slideshow.html

This week's subject may have been one of the only where I saw inspiration being drawn equally: from scientists to artists and from artists to scientists.

References:

Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 20 May 2016. Web. 23 May 2016.

 "Building the Battle Room for ‘Ender’s Game’." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 Oct. 2013. Web. 24 May 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/17/movies/enders-feature.html?_r=0>.

Boucher, Marc. "Space Elevator Reference Top Story." Space Elevator. SpaceRef, 22 June 2015. Web. 24 May 2016.

History.com Staff. "Arms Race." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 01 June 2009. Web. 24 May 2016.

Mohammadi, Goli. "Space Craft: 21 Works of Art Inspired by the Cosmos | Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers." Make DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. 09 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 May 2016. 

Event 3: Leap Before You Look at the Hammer Museum

For my third event, I attended the 'Leap Before You Look' exhibit at the Hammer Museum.

This exhibit looks at artwork created at Black Mountain College, a small experimental liberal arts college that was open from 1933-1957. The College emphasized inquiry, discussion, and experimentation, and in about 20 years produced artwork that was thought provoking and unique.

The works that caught my eye were made by R. Buckminster Fuller, a professor interested in experimental architecture. Architecture, in my mind, has been the epitome of art and science merging in the real world: an architect must apply mathematical and physical laws to create their imagined structures.

The sketch on the left is Fuller's geodesic dome. By combining mathematics and art, he sought to create a structure that encompasses the greatest volume of space while having the smallest surface area. By combining circles in specific pattern. Fuller was able to theoretically create a structure that was cost-effective and original.

Another artist who was at Black Mountain at the same time and inspired by Fuller's work was Richard Lippold, whose 'Sketch for The Sun' is shown to the right. Lippold, like Fuller, sought to combine physical, mathematical, and artistic concepts to create a sun sculpture that radiated and shimmered of its own accord.









Though not all the art in the exhibit was my cup of tea, I found these works to be fascinating. These artists had groundbreaking visions, and even though they may have been outlandish and impossible to create in the real world, their melding of physics, mathematics, and art created inspiration for a horde of artists to come.

Link to Event:

https://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/2016/leap-before-you-look-black-mountain-college-1933-1957/#sthash.ja0UQc0u.dpuf

References:

Vesna, Victoria. "Mathematics and Art." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 10 Apr 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

 "In-Gallery Performances." The Hammer Museum. Web. 18 May 2016. <https://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/2016/leap-before-you-look-black-mountain-college-1933-1957/>.

 "R. Buckminster Fuller." Bfi.org. Buckminster Fuller Institute. Web. 17 May 2016. <https://bfi.org/about-fuller/biography>.

 

 "Black Mountain College Museum ." Black Mountain College Museum Arts Center. Web. 18 May 2016.

"The Legacy of Black Mountain College-An Experiment in Higher Education: Interview with Ruth Erickson by David Ebony." Yale RTbooks. 11 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016. 

Event 2: Contemporary Art of the Middle East at LACMA

Me outside the LACMA

For my second event, I attended the 'Contemporary Art of the Middle East' exhibit at LACMA. This exhibition was very personal to me because many of the works are from Iran. As an Iranian-American, I found myself relating to the works as they gave me insight into the changing cultural and artistic landscape in Iran.








I was pleasantly surprised to find works that played off of themes we have learned in the lecture portion of this class; specifically, many of the works illustrated an interplay between MedTech + Art, and Mathematics and Art.

Ahmed Mater, Saudi Arabia
"Illumination Diptych (Ottoman Waqf)"

This was the first piece I encountered in the Islamic Art exhibit. I was shocked to see an X-Ray image of a skeleton surrounded by Arabic text and traditional Middle Eastern designs. After looking up the artist, I found that he is a medical doctor and an artist who commonly uses medical instruments to explore contemporary Saudi Arabian sociopolitical life. It was interesting to see a topic we had talked about during lecture, namely how X-Ray images are being used by artists, manifest itself in an artist/doctor from across the world.

Iman Safei, Iran
"Sepeleshk"

Another artwork that really grabbed my eye was the iron sculpture 'Sepeleshk,' which roughly translates to the phrase  'no way' in English. In Persian culture, calligraphy and beautiful writing in general are very commonplace and highly prized. The Persian alphabet (similar to Arabic text) itself is prized for its beauty. I was drawn to this piece because it related to the Mathematics + Art lecture we covered earlier this quarter. Safaei's sculpture is extremely precise: each letter of the word is the same length as every other letter. He has broken down the basic mathematical elements of what make calligraphy so beautiful and applied them to this sculpture. I was also especially drawn to the shadow on the wall created by the light hitting the sculpture (on the right). To me, this was very beautiful and illustrated the intersection between how simple geometric shapes (math), when hit at certain angles (physics), can result in beautiful and ever-changing/kinetic art.

Iman Safei, Iran
"Sepeleshk"

Overall, I really enjoyed my time in this exhibit. The interplay between science and art was present in many of the works, but mostly, it was an experience that felt like home to me.

Link to Event:
http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/islamic-art-now-contemporary-art-middle-east


References:

 Linda Komaroff. Part 2: Contemporary Art of the Middle East. Los Angeles: Linda Komaroff, 2016. Print.

Mater, Ahmed. Ahmed Mater. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://ahmedmater.com/artwork/>.

 Iman Safaei. Shiringalleryny.com. Shirin Gallery. Web. 17 May 2016. <http://shiringalleryny.com/artists/iman-safaei/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medtech and Art." UCLA. Los Angles, CA. 10 Apr 2016. Web. 17 May 2016.

 Mater, Ahmed. "Edge Of Arabia - Contemporary Art and Creative Movements from the Arab World." Edgeofarabia.com. Web. 18 May 2016. 

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

This week we learned about the history and development of nanotechnology and how it affects our every day lives. I remember early in my undergraduate career, UCLA held a nanotechnology fair in the Court of Sciences. I was asked to build a tower of blocks while wearing extremely large and bulky gloves. Needless to say, it was extremely difficult. After the activity, I was told that the activity was an analogy for how difficult it is for nanoscientists to build nano-sized structures with modern machines.

A nanotech motor
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I was most intrigued by how nanotechnology is being utilized in the medical field, as its applications are far-reaching and incredibly important for the future of humanity. Currently, nanotechnology is used to deliver drugs, heat, light, or other substances to specific cells in the body. This is a method that is currently being used in the fight against cancer; nanoparticles are being used to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells.

Nano-processors attacking specific cells in the body
<http://media.mehrnews.com/d/2015/08/15/3/1795565.jpg?ts=1458370831520>

As covered in lecture, a few of these drugs are currently available to cancer patients, such as Abraxane, Doxil, and Emendo. Because these drugs target specific cancer cells instead of all the cells of the body, their side-effects are far less dangerous for patients. Additionally, the drugs are more effective at ridding patients of their cancer altogether.

Aside from cancer therapy, nanoparticles are being used to control appetite and cholesterol, to develop better drugs, to replace bones, and far, far more. The future of nanotechnology with respect to medicine is truly astounding. With this technology, we may be able to rid people of debilitating diseases quickly and efficiently. The future is bright.

References:

Gimzewski. "Nanotech for Artists, Part 4." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 10 May 2016. Web. 17 May 2016.

Gimzewski. "Nanotech for Artists, Part 5." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 10 May 2016. Web. 17 May 2016.

 "Nanotechnology Project." PEN News. Web. 18 May 2016.

<http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/medicine/apps/cancer/>

"Nanotechnology in Medicine - Nanomedicine." Nanotechnology in Medicine. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://www.understandingnano.com/medicine.html>.

"Nanotechnology in Medicine (Nanomedicine)." Nanowerk. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-in-medicine.php>. 

Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

The use of drugs as a means for artists to expand their minds is a controversial topic, but an important one to discuss. Often, drugs can challenge the user to view the world in a completely new way and can be used as a catalyst for inspiration and ingenuity. After learning this week of how drugs and art have intersected, I immediately thought of the artist Bryan Lewis Saunders. Saunders is an artist who became famous for drawing self portraits while on a variety of different drugs.

Saunders' self-portraits
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His self-experiment and the results are not only important for the art world, but for the scientific world as well. They give the viewer insight into what the user is experiencing while on these drugs and the effects they have on the mind. They also cause one to ask such questions as: what is perception? What is consciousness? What are hallucinations, and do drugs break down the barrier between unconscious and conscious thought?

Diagram of the weight of the conscious vs. unconscious mind
<https://schriftman.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/unconsciousmind.jpg>

These are important questions, as the diagram to the right illustrates, based off of the theories of Freud and Jung, the unconscious mind composes a significant part of our minds. Perhaps drugs unleash this unconsciousness, and as illustrated by the artwork of Saunders, allow one to tap into the hidden creative energies of the unconscious mind.

Image illustrating the weight of the unconscious vs conscious mind in the human brain
<http://www.curezone.org/upload/_T_Forums/turiya_file/conscious_subconscious_unconscious1_longated.png>

Though condoning drugs for the purposes of 'mind expansion' and 'artistic expression' is a slippery slope, in moderation, I believe that in can produce incredible results for both artists and scientists.

References:

Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience and Art." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 30 Apr 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.

Saunders, Bryan Lewish. "Under the Influence."Bryanlewissaunders.org. N.p., 2008. Web. 10 May 2016. <http%3A%2F%2Fbryanlewissaunders.org%2Fdrugs%2F>.

Freud, Sigmund, and James Strachey. The Ego and the Id. New York: Norton, 1962. Print.

Jung, C. G., and Mrs Beatrice Moses Hinkle. Psychology of the Unconscious; a Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido, a Contribution to the History of the Evolution of Thought. New York: Moffat, Yard, 1916. Print.

Korte, Travis. "The Influence of Drugs in Art History." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 20 Apr. 2011. Web. 11 May 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/the-influence-of-drugs-in_n_851643.html>.

Week 6: Biotech and Art

Stelarc with the third ear he implanted into his forearm
<http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150812130237-stelarc-large-169.jpg>

As a biology major who has been involved in research since my sophomore year, I found this week's lecture to be a bit frustrating.Though I understand why artists want to use advances in biotechnology to further artistic expression, I personally believe that some of the artists that were covered in lecture wasted resources and money on useless projects. The artist Joe Davis is an example of this. Though I can appreciate his desire to push the boundaries of what is considered art and the philosophical discussions that arise due to his ideas, I find, for example, his pursuit to codify a poem and input it into the genome of a frog, as wasteful and unnecessary. These technologies are not cheap to use, and seeing someone use them to create a work of art that nobody can physically see is nonsensical to me.

Stelarc with a robotic third arm
<http://people.ucsc.edu/~joahanse/onlineexhibit/thirdhand/stelarc.jpeg>

Davis codified this symbol, of the human genitalia, put it into E.coli, and sent them into space as a 'message' for extra-terrestrials

I felt the same way with respect to Stelarc's "3rd ear" that he implanted beneath the skin on his forearm. He believes that "art is interesting when it becomes surprising," and with this mindset, it makes sense as to why he believes that implanting an ear onto his forearm is "art." But from my perspective, there is a line to be drawn between what art is and what it is not. If implanting an ear onto your forearm is art, then where is the line drawn? Perhaps hooking yourself up to an IV from your forehead veins is also art?

Though I understand that this is an extremely complex discussion on 'what is art,' I believe it is important for artists and scientists to work together to create certain ethical boundaries. This incredible technology does not come cheap, and it is aggravating for me to see it be used in this way. There are people across the world who do not have access to the most basic medicine, and here in the United States we have artists being commissioned to implant unnecessary ears onto their arms.


References:

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotech and Art." UCLA. Los Angeles, CA. 20 April 2016. Web.

 Nadis, Steve. "Creating Art from Microbes and Molecules." Discover Magazine. 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 07 May 2016.

 "Artist Implants 'third Ear' on His Own Arm." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 11 Oct. 2007. Web. 07 May 2016. 

House, Patrick. "Object of Interest: The Twice-Forbidden Fruit." The New Yorker. 13 June 2014. Web. 07 May 2016. 

 "Joe Davis (artist)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 07 May 2016.