Week 8- Nanotechnology and Art

As I began reviewing the lectures and resources this past week I couldn’t help but become eager to discover more about Nanotechnology. Dr. James K. Gimzewski helped open my eyes and ears to the field of Nanotechnology, which was a study that I was not attracted to before this. In his introductory lecture he explains how Nanotechnology has an impact on a vast majority of things ranging from “energy, food, agriculture, and electronics” (Gimzewski). The definition of Nanotechnology states that, “it is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular state” (Wikipedia). One of the ways in which nanotechnology can be seen having an impact is through the “Scanning Tunneling Microscope”. Dr. Gimzewski explains that with the invention of this microscope, scientists are able to feel the surface of atoms. With this microscope, scientists are able to discover the positions of the atoms and map out a picture that will help them understand more clearly where the atoms are positioned. This is very fascinating because with the use of this microscope it was explained in lecture that an individual was able to create a picture where they brought atoms together to spell out “UCLA”. 

"IBM" spelled out by arranging atoms using the STM

Nanotechnology and art can be seen coming together, as artists take the study of Nanotechnology and display it through their artwork. This is shown in the art piece, “Nanomandala” created by Professor Vesna and Dr. Gimzewski. In this piece of art, they unraveled what they knew about Nanotechnology and combined it into an art piece. Individuals are able to touch the sand and move the grain of sand around, while images are projected on a screen from the ‘Scanning Electron microscope’. By displaying these images through the SEM, it aims to show the individual the complete image. This art piece is one that brings together Nanotechnology, where atoms can be rearranged and Art where one can take these images and display them in art form.

An image of Professor Vesna and Dr. Gimzewski's "Nanomandala"

Nanotechnology is a study that goes way beneath the surface and into the molecular and atomic state. Scientists have found that by using technology that targets the cellular level, specific areas on the human body will be targeted and will be able to be treated properly. Dr. Gimzewski explains this as “Nano-medicine”. With the use of nanotechnology, which I envision as “tiny machines”, they are able to target areas that need treatment for individuals specifically struggling with cancer. This is an amazing discovery that will hopefully improve the lives of many individuals that are dealing with cancer. By pinpointing areas with the use of nanotechnology and using medicine that is at a “Nano” scale, it shows great signs for success in treating individuals with cancer. 

Improving Human Life =Nano-medicine

Sources:

Wikipedia. Nanotechnology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology

Vesna, Victoria. Lectures Week 8. https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-8-view?module_item_id=970451

Image 1: Arranging Atoms. http://muller.lbl.gov/teaching/Physics10/PffP_textbook/Ch04cust.htm

Image 2: Nanomandala. http://nano.arts.ucla.edu/mandala/mandala.php

Image 3: Nanomedicine Abraxane. http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v12/n11/full/nmat3792.html

Curtin, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Artabase. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology 

 

Week 7- Neuroscience and Art

Professor Vesna begins this week by asking very intriguing and stimulating questions regarding the human mind and how it functions and processes information. The main question that is presented is, “What is Consciousness?”. The fact that we are able to process information that is right in front of us and then comprehend what is going on or being said is very simple and at the same time very complex. Today it goes without question that our brain is the control unit of our body. However, Professor Vesna explains that in the past this understanding of the brain was not as obvious. Aristotle the “father of psychology”, believed that the brain functioned as a “cooling method for the blood and that all the real thinking went on in the heart” (Vesna). This idea of the brain was corrected and proven to be incorrect by scientists who studied the brain, especially Franz Joseph Gall. Franz Gall studied the brain and helped illustrate how the brain functions and what it looks like.  Through his findings and studies, he came up with the practice of “phrenology”.  This was a practice that was focused on observing the human skull. It is through Gall’s pictures that helped to illustrate how the brain works and see how it is divided up into 27 separate organs.

Franz Gall and Phrenology ("Mind Knowledge")

The ability to understand the brain and how it functions allows us to grasp a better sense of how we as humans are able to process, retain, gather, and communicate information. One example of how Neuroscientists can see how the brain works is through the artwork of Suzanne Anker. She displays the brain in a very unique way through the use of MRI images of the brain and at the center of each image there is a butterfly. Anker’s images that display a butterfly at the center of the brain combines the studies of science and art and provide Neuroscientists with images that show the symmetry of the brain. 

Suzanne Anker's image of the brain with the butterfly at the center

In this week’s lectures, Professor Vesna mentions that the brain has only been studied for a century. This is interesting to note because it helps show how we will endlessly continue to discover and learn more about the brain. This is shown in the article provided by the UCLA Newsroom, “How to build a bigger brain”. This article illustrates the findings by researchers at UCLA that, “the brains of long-term meditators were larger than in a similar control group” (Wheeler). With the use of MRI images, the researchers were able to discover both the size differences in brain structure and the differences in the amount of “grey matter” in the brain.

UCLA Researcher's study of increasing the size of one's brain

Sources:

Vesna, Victoria. Lectures Week 7.   https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-7-view?module_item_id=970446

Wikipedia. Phrenology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenology

Wheeler, Mark. "For News Media." How to Build a Bigger Brain / UCLA Newsroom. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.  http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/how-to-build-a-bigger-brain-91273.aspx

Image 1: Suzanna Anker. http://oneartworld.com/artists/S/Suzanne+Anker.html?atab=works&image=11243

Image 2: Phrenology.  http://www.historyofphrenology.org.uk/images.html

Image 3: Wheeler, Mark. "For News Media." How to Build a Bigger Brain / UCLA Newsroom. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.  http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/how-to-build-a-bigger-brain-91273.aspx

Week 6- BioTech and Art

This week’s lectures and resources opened the doors into the world of Biotechnology and it’s connection with Art. Artists have entered into the scientific field and brought with them their creativity to construct and design art while using living organisms as their main subject. One artist in particular, Eduardo Kac is known for the genetic manipulation of a rabbit’s DNA by inserting a “GFP” gene that allowed the cells to produce “Green Fluorescent Protein”. This albino bunny named “Alba” is a living creature that can also be considered a form of art. When a black light is turned on, Alba begins to glow as she emits a fluorescent light from her body. Professor Vesna explains that this form of art known as “Transgenic Art” has stirred the pot and is one that has become very controversial as it, “transfers natural or synthetic genes to create unique living beings” (Vesna). The issue arises whether or not these artists who create or manipulate living organisms should have separate standards, which is a question posed by Ruth West. Artists, who use the form of Transgenic Art, push the boundaries attempting to do something that has never been done and because of this they find themselves in a difficult position that ultimately questions their morals and intentions.

Image 1: Alba the "Green Fluorescent Protein" rabbit

 As artists enter into the scientific labs and go hands on with living organisms they alter the natural blueprints of organisms to create what they consider art, which is known as BioArt. Professor Vesna explains how the artist Marta de Menezes created her artwork by modifying the wing patterns of butterflies. She began by diving into the basic structure of the butterfly and from there she could design the patterns on the wings. However, this became very controversial due to the fact that she was modifying the natural development of the patterns on the butterflies wings. When the butterflies were put on display the public saw that the butterflies in fact had holes in their wings and were very upset over this.  This relates to the question posed by Ruth West on the standards that should be set for artists who are manipulating living organisms. As these artists intend to create and construct pieces of art that illustrate the beauty and power of the scientific world, the opposing view sees this connection between biotechnology and art as potentially dangerous and threatening to living species.

Image 2: Marta de Menezes's modifying butterfly wing patterns

Kathy High is an artist who illustrates how the use of living organisms can be beneficial for scientific research. Professor Vesna explains how Kathy High uses Transgenic Rats that are specifically engineered for scientific research. She explains that the reason she has these rats on display is to, “extend their observation of humans and to extend their lives” (Embracing Animal). Although the rats have been altered using biotechnology and put on display for the public to watch, by doing this Kathy High has been able to open the eyes of many to see how these rats are very similar to human beings and should be viewed differently than as "pests". By treating the rats with great care and providing them with necessary treatment, it helps show how the connection between Biotechnology and art can also lessen the controversy over manipulating living organisms.

Image 3: Kathy High with the Transgenic Rats

SOURCES:

Vesna, Victoria. Lectures Week 6.  

https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-6-view?module_item_id=970441

Image 1. "BIO ART." BIO ART. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html

Image 2.  Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, Web. 09 Nov. 2013. http://www.nature.com/nrm/journal/v10/n7/fig_tab/nrm2699_F2.html 

Kathy High. Embracing Animal. http://www.embracinganimal.com/ratlove.html 

Image 3. http://www.embracinganimal.com/ratlove.html