NanoTech + Art

Nanotechnology is a relatively new field of science that is already starting to change the world. It is an inescapable part of modern everyday life as it provides the solutions to many long-standing medical, social, and environmental problems. However, it remains a difficult concept to understand as we are dealing with the manipulation of matter on atomic and molecular scales. Thus, artists and scientists have come together to present new ways of seeing and connecting with this matter so miniscule and abstract.

With the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope, we were able to not only physically see the atomic structures of objects but also create incredible images of art out of these atomic structures, such as the Quantum Corral. It reveals not only the atoms on the surface but the interference patterns of electrons moving back and forth along the surface creating a rippling pattern.

The Quantum Corral

Professor Vesna and Dr. Gemzewski merged together art and nanotechnology through an exhibition at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art called "Nano" in 2004. It allowed visitors to experience nanotechnology by sensing it, even though they cannot see it. One installation, the nanomandala incorporated a 15 minute video projected onto a disk of sand. Images of a grand of sand are projected in evolving scale from the molecular structure of a single grain to a recognizable image of a complete mandala, then back again.

Nanomandala

Before this week's lecture, I never given much thought about nanotechnology. I had no idea of its importance on the world around us. Controlling matter at the atomic scale is being hailed as the next "Industrial Revolution" because it can help solve everything from world hunger to energy shortages. In the field of medicine, scientists are developing nanoparticles that can deliver drugs directly to infected cells to treat cancer, cardiovascular problems, and neurodegenerative disease. In conclusion, from the words of Dr. Gimzewski, "Nanoscience will eventually revolutionize and  impact upon every single aspect of our lives, including the arts."

Works Cited

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Artabase.net. Artabase,  30 Apr 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>

Deardorff, Julie. "Scientists: Nanotech-based products offer great potential but unknown risks." Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune, 10 Jul 2012. Web. 24 Nov 2013. <http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-10/health/ct-met-nanotechnology-20120710_1_nanoparticles-sunscreens-chad-mirkin>

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt 1-6." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov 2013.

Heller, Eric J. “Electrons in Two Dimensions: Quantum Corrals and Semiconductor Microstructures.” nanoHUB.org. NanoHUB, 4 Dec 2007. Web. 24 Nov 2013. <http://nanohub.org/resources/3253>

Lovgren, Stefan. “Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?” National Geographic News. National Geographic, 23 Dec. 2003. Web. 24 Nov 2013. 

<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology.html>

Tsuzuki, Takuya. “Commercial scale production of inorganic nanoparticles.” International Journal of Nanotechnology. N.p,n.d. Web. 24 Nov 2013.

Neurosci + Art

This week's topic immediately reminded me of artist Bryan Lewis Saunders and his series of self-portraits done under a different drug everyday. His art gives us visual representation of how the brain interprets and transmit information while under the influence. When looking at the resulting images, one can make a connection between the drug and the output. Sanders points out that if he did not factor in the preconceived notions of cognitive impact of each drug, then he would be denying his conscious and subconscious impulses. Thus, he lets the drugs drive his creativity including the preconceived notions within.
                            
Under 10 mg of Adderall, Saunders transforms into an adder (right). His portrait under bathsalts was hacked in with pen jabs (middle). Psilocybin mushrooms has Saunders looking thrilled with his eyes bulging and mouth in a grin (right).

Another topic Professor Vesna delved into was dreams. The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud believed dreams provided a glimpse into unconscious mind through acting out impulses and desires one cannot normally act out while conscious. Freud's influence can be seen in Salvador Dali's painting "Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening." The painting shows us a moment in time, literally one second, before a bayonet blade awakens the woman, Dali's wife, from her dream. This image is open to multiple interpretations just like dreams and it is left up to us to decide what they truly mean or represent.

I believe that though the brain is what perceives and creates art, art is able to aid us in the understanding of the brain. For example, the technique Brainbow helps us distinguish individual neurons from neighboring neurons using fluorescent proteins. This method allows scientists to construct specific maps of neural pathways and investigate how these relate to various mental activities and their connected behaviors. 

Works Cited

Dali, Salvador. “Dream caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second before Waking up.” 1944. Image. <http://www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/ficha_obra/352>

Cox, Laura. “This is your brain on drugs: Adventurous artist draws dozens of bizarre self-portraits while high on various powerful narcotics.” Mail Online. 1 Sept 2012. Web. 16 Nov 2013. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203634/Artist-draws-dozens-bizarre-self-portraits-high-drugs.html>

Sanes, Joshua. “Brainbow 2.0.” Harvard University.24 May 2013. Image. 16 Nov 2013. <https://www.mcb.harvard.edu/mcb/news/news-detail/3677/brainbow-20-lichtman-and-sanes-labs/>

Saunders, Bryan Lewis. “Drugs.” Bryan Lewis Saunders. 2008. Image. 16 Nov 2013. <http://bryanlewissaunders.org/drugs/>

Silver, Curtis. “This is You Face On Drugs: An Artist Explores Creativity Under the Influence.” Co.Create. Web. 16 Nov 2013. <http://www.fastcocreate.com/1681475/this-is-your-face-on-drugs-an-artist-explores-creativity-under-the-influence#2>

Vesna, Victoria. “Conscious/ Memory.” YouTube. 17 May 2012. Web. 16 Nov 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXjNbKDkYI>

BioTech+Art

The field of biotechnology has really contributed to the collaboration and integration of artists and scientists.  Through the manipulation of living organisms and their genomes, scientists and artists both contribute towards a greater understanding of humans and the world around us. It is arguable, however, that scientists use biotechnology to help advance current human conditions while artists use it as an expressive medium of their artwork. But I believe we can learn a lot from an artists’ interpretation of biotechnology.

An artist that really captured my attention was Eduardo Kac, a transgenic artist who implants the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene into a rabbit. He uses Alba not as a genetic object, but instead as a social object. If one had no prior knowledge that it was GFB bunny, then they would not be able to the tell difference under most lighting. The inter-species social communication should not be affected and the rabbit should experience treatment similar to that of any other rabbit. The project highlights the fact that he was not trying to make the bunny meet specific requirements, but rather to have her be accepted with her genetic difference.

                                                      

If we begin by looking at the technologies that go into the genetic manipulation of transgenic organisms, we should also see how these can be applied to human genomes. Artist Adam Zaretsky addresses the advances in human recombinant possibilities through the Human Germline Gene Therapy. This therapy isolates and alters the offending gene, then introduces it into the embryo before it has differentiated.  This alteration is permanent and capable in effecting subsequent generations. However, the manipulation of the human germline in inducing genetic changes to possibly stop lethal birth defects or diseases creates an ethical problem. It allows human the potential to create a “perfect” species in regards to aesthetics. Yet, what traits or qualities are considered aesthetically superior to another? I believe this is the limit to human creativity as we simply cannot determine what aesthetics is better as no individual is better than another.

                            

Works Cited

Clark, Josh. “Bottlenecks Made Humans Less Diverse.” Discovery News. 23 Oct 2009. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://news.discovery.com/human/genetics/human-diversity-bottlenecks.htm>

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Kac. 2000. Web. 10 Nov 2013. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html>

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Kac. 2000. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html>

“The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?” Learn.Genetics. The University of Utah. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/scissues/>

Zaretsky, Adam. “The Art of Germline Mutagenesis.” Emutagen. Web. 10 Nov 2013. <http://emutagen.com/germline.html>

Vesna, Victoria. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” YouTube. Web. 10 Nov 2013.