Week 9| space + art

Will Man Outgrow the Earth?, Eduardo Paolozzi, 1952. Museum no. CIRC.715-1971.

It seems that space and art have a long, and intertwined history in the sense that humans have always been set on trying to figure out how to create a tangible set of ideas on something so far away and unknown to us. In a similar way, art is a way of creating thoughts and ideas into something that we can view in front of us. I was particularly interested in how much space exploration has had an
influence on pop culture and the media. Even when we started to make steps to actually get to space, it became a media spectacle known as the “space race.” People now are so intrigued by the idea of space travel that watching NASA launches are something people attend, and the schedule is available online.

Effects artists (from left) oversee filming of the Millennium Falcon for "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope." Credit: ILM

What I find most interesting is the way that people decided to capitalize and expand on the media’s fixation on space travel through art. Shows like the Jetson’s and Star Trek let people imagine what ould happen if we were able to conquer “the final frontier.” In addition, people have created movies about space like E.T., Close Encounters, Star Wars, and Lost In Space. It is also interesting to note that in order to create the special effects to create the illusion of space, movies like Star Wars were expensive and created novel technologies to do this.

The interpretation of art goes even farther, with art influencing music like Space Oddity by David Bowie, Rocket man by Elton John, or more recently an album called Satellite Flight by Kid Cudi which was a lot of dreamy, abstract sounds that made you feel like you were somewhere else. All in all, the fascination with space and the idea that it is somewhere so huge and far from us gives artists a lot of room to play with interpretation.

Works Cited: 

Esa. “Art & Culture in Space.” European Space Agency, www.esa.int/About_Us/Art_Culture_in_Space.

“Florida's Space Coast Launches.” Space Coast Launches, 29 May 2019, www.spacecoastlaunches.com/blog/launch-list/.

“Kid Cudi - Satellite Flight.” YouTube, Tadas Paškevičius, 17 Dec. 2013, youtu.be/ghyrIwqYYQI.

Museum, Albert, and Digital Media. “The Space Race.” The Space Race, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL. Telephone 44 (0)20 7942 2000. Email Vanda@Vam.ac.uk, 31 Jan. 2013, www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/the-space-race/.

“Visual Effects: Are Computer Graphics Always the Answer?” ACM Siggraph, 2 Jan. 2015, www.siggraph.org/visual-effects-are-computer-graphics-always-the-answer/.

Week 8| Nanotech + Art

Nanotechnology itself is a novel area of study, and there has been a huge expansion in what scientists are now able to discover. We can now observe the very small parts of natural structures, and learn more about the way that they function. Scientists can now get a better understanding of the complexity of the structures that they analyze on daily basis. This new perspective on what was once understood is partially produced in images taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).




This new technology has produced images that greatly inspire art. The different patterns, colors, and textures captured in these images has inspired many artists to try to either replicate them, or create an

Natural killer (NK) cell immune synapse,
3D-SIM Dieckermann and Lawrence,
Cambridge University

interpretation for their audiences. There are some scientists who take an interest in capturing interesting shots of the nano-world. Presenting nanotechnology in this way allows the audience to view science in a different way. It is almost like normal people are given a different, but similar perspective as scientists that allows them both to have the same level of appreciation for the complexity of these structures.




Artists create not only images, but also tangible structures to create a tangible aspect to the science itself. Nanoart is abstract in this sense, it creates

Photo: Cris Orfesco

something that someone can hold in their hands and observes up close. It creates a larger view of a small portion of reality.

References:

NanoArt 21, nanoart21.org/.

24, Россия. “NanoArt - Искусство, Созданное Наукой.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Nov. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX4xiGITj1o.

Andrew, Elise. “The Best Medical Images Of The Year: A Mesmerising Nano-World Where Science Becomes Art.” IFLScience, IFLScience, 11 Mar. 2019, www.iflscience.com/technology/best-medical-images-year-mesmerising-nano-world-where-science-becomes-art/.

Feder, Barnaby J. “The Art of Nanotech.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008, bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/.

Vesna, Victoria, and Jim Gimzewski. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.

Event #2: body / site / seen

I attended the body/site/seen event, which was a dance performance in which the performers had cameras attached to different parts of their bodies. At first, I did not know what exactly to expect because the dance was slow to begin, and all of their cameras were covered. They slowly started to uncover their cameras, and their point of view was projected onto the wall behind them for each

dancer. They began to move closer together, and the audience could see a unique point of view of the performance.

As the dancers moved closer together, it was hard to tell who’s camera as projecting the image because it seemed like you could see all angles and all of the performers at all times. One dancer had a camera attached to their hand, another to their arm, and another to their leg. You pretty much got a 360 degree view from the outside and the inside of the performance. 

Technology in this scenario gave the audience a more intimate point of view as compared to just observing from the outside. As the 

dancers moved closer together and it was hard to tell who’s camera was whose, we were able to see the way in which they interacted with each other in order to create an elaborate performance. The different camera angles showed how the dancer’s bodies moved throughout the space, and each point of view pieced together the larger message of the performance. 

After watching this performance, I was able to better understand the ways in which we can use technology to give an unique perspective on art. They can work hand in hand to create points of view not able to be seen by just observing. I would recommend this event because it gave an inside and outside perspective on a dance performance, and puts emphasis on the ways art works in a space.

Week 7 Neurosci + Art

Week 7- Human Consciousness 

Technology has allowed scientists to produce dozens of new discoveries in the past 10 years, and novel ones to appear on the scene as well. Neuroscience is a relatively new field, in the sense that new technology in recent times has allowed scientists and researchers to learn more about how our brains work. However, there always is something new to discover about the human brain. For centuries, it’s purpose and the way we use it has been debated and reevaluated several times. The understanding of the brain has come slowly, and there is still one thing that people do not really understand, which is human consciousness.

The idea of consciousness seems very abstract, and something everyone takes for granted everyday. Roger Penrose, a physicist, describes human consciousness as “non-computational.” He

How Quantum computer
functioning  would work in relation
to brain function.

goes on to explain what quantum and classical physics are, and that the brain functions at a place that bridges between the two; which is something scientists do not understand yet. I think what makes studying the brain interesting is that a lot of the functions, as Penrose explains, cannot be fully understood with science. There is still a grey area that cannot be explained by a single cell or process. However, even in Penrose’s article, he is criticized by famous scientists and scholars, who claim that they do not understand or agree with his stance on consciousness being comparable to quantum physics. However, I believe this demonstrates that no one truly understands every part of the human consciousness, and many things that we do know come from experience rather than science.

A neuroaesthetic exhibition created by Google in Milan

By leaning away from science, and more towards experience to understand the human brain, artists have developed “neuroaesthetics” to understand more about human consciousness. The human brain interprets art, a visual, in complex ways that may evoke emotion, physical feelings, or bring up memories. By creating art that triggers people in this way, this may pave the way for a new perspective on brain function in its relation to consciousness.

Sources:

The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.

Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.

Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.

Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.

Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.

Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.

The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.

Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.

Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.

Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.

Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.

Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.

The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.

Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.

Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.

Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.

Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.

Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.

The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.

Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.

Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.

Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.

Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.

Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.

Week 4 | Medicine + Technology + Art

Radiograph of the foot, anteroposterior view, showing the calcaneus (black arrow), talus (white arrow), and navicular bone (arrowhead) 

Throughout my lifetime,  I have had several X-rays and MRI's in my lifetime, mostly on my ankles and feet. I have sat there, for sometimes hours at a time getting X-ray’s followed by an MRI when nothing shows up on the X-ray. After I would get my MRI results back I would have to sit there with a doctor and listen to them tell me what was wrong with me. Most of the time, I was just waiting for them to tell me how long I would have to sit out of my sport. I would usually ignore all the diagrams, and foot replicas showing me where my injury was and why it was crucial for me to not bear any weight on my injured foot.

Anatomical Diagram of the foot 

Throughout all of these visits, I never paid any mind to the diagrams, models, and replicas that are used for teaching and medical instruction. To me, they seemed like the standard decor for an orthopedic specialist’s or chiropractor's office. Looking back on it now, artists work in this specific field has proven to be extremely important for furthering knowledge in the medical field, as well as public’s knowledge on what they look like on the inside.

Henry Gray.
Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical.
Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea, 1866.

Medical illustrations and diagrams not only give the public information, but there is also a subtle beauty in the skill that it takes to create these illustrations. This was evidence upon the publication of Henry Gray’s, Anatomy with illustrations by Henry Vandyke Carter. Carter himself was also in the medical field, but fell into the medical illustration niche in college. Gray’s Anatomy was his first big project, and it immediately reached success. Not only was the book informative, but the illustrations proved to be so comprehensive that it quickly became a staple in medical studies.

Sources:

MERLIN Library Catalog / MU. Accessed April 30, 2019. http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu/record=b6431598~S1.

"Anatomy Descriptive and Surgical First Edition - Henry Gray." Bauman Rare Books. Accessed April 30, 2019. https://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/henry-gray/anatomy-descriptive-and-surgical/100863.aspx.

Coris, Eric E., and John A. Lombardo. "Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures." American Family Physician. January 01, 2003. Accessed April 30, 2019. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0101/p85.html.

Smith, Amanda. "Gray's Anatomy's Forgotten Illustrator." Radio National. July 30, 2014. Accessed April 30, 2019. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/bodysphere/gray’s-anatomy-a-tale-of-two-doctors/5635018.

"Under Your Skin: The Anatomy Artwork of H.V. Carter." Dittrick Medical History Center. October 26, 2017. Accessed April 30, 2019. https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/2014/05/22/under-your-skin-the-anatomy-artwork-of-h-v-carter/.

"Under Your Skin: The Anatomy Artwork of H.V. Carter." Dittrick Medical History Center. October 26, 2017. Accessed April 30, 2019. https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/2014/05/22/under-your-skin-the-anatomy-artwork-of-h-v-carter/.

Week 2: Math + Art

This week, we learned about how intertwined math and art truly are. According to Linda Henderson's, article many 20th century artists took an interest in theories about math and geometry, which spurred a whole new era of art. This allowed them to go beyond the 2 dimensional canvas and explore dimensions and perspectives that were never explored by previous artists. This connects to the idea presented to us in lecture, where math is critical in the study of visual art demonstrating its importance in creating regular and irregular shapes. This understanding and appreciation of math by artists has lead to many breakthroughs. One major breakthrough was the creation of linear perspective by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1413, so now artists could depict a 3-D image on a 2-D surface.

Portrait of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler by Pablo Picasso, 1910

Many in the early 20th century that took an interest in mathematical theories in relation to art were particularly concerned with non-Euclidean geometry, and understanding this order to portray a 4th dimension in their art. Pablo Picasso in particular uses this knowledge to create the Portrait of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler. Picasso uses his canvas space to create a multi-dimensional plane that takes the viewer through the art rather than staring at a flat creation. Picasso also uses this 4th dimension to create an added layer of depth to this piece. 

Artists use this extended understanding of math in order to further understand the shapes and perspectives that can be created on a flat canvas. Having an understanding of mathematics has allowed artists to be able to replicate real life more accurately. The math, science, and art are juxtaposed in this course to show that things that we are taught to be very different are actually necessary for understanding one another, and in many places they overlap.





Sources:

ABBOTT, EDWIN. FLATLAND: a Romance of Many Dimensions. 1884.

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo, vol. 17, no. 3, 1984, pp. 205–210. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1575193.

“Portrait of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, 1910 by Pablo Picasso.” Henri Matisse, www.pablopicasso.org/portrait-of-daniel-henry-kahnweiler.jsp.

YouTube, 26 Nov. 2007, youtu.be/LkODKN_m_H4.

YouTube, 26 Nov. 2007, youtu.be/LkODKN_m_H4.

ABBOTT, EDWIN. FLATLAND: a Romance of Many Dimensions. 1884.

YouTube, 26 Nov. 2007, youtu.be/LkODKN_m_H4.

YouTube, 19 Nov. 2016, youtu.be/iGO12Z5Lw8s.

ABBOTT, EDWIN. FLATLAND: a Romance of Many Dimensions. 1884.

YouTube, 26 Nov. 2007, youtu.be/LkODKN_m_H4.

YouTube, 19 Nov. 2016, youtu.be/iGO12Z5Lw8s.