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.