Event 1: The Getty

For my first event I choose to go to The Getty Museum in order to experience Abelardo Morell's The Universe Next Door, which was a very interesting gallery.  This was the first time that I had ever been to The Getty, so I am glad that I got the chance to go for this class.  Not only were the galleries intriguing, but the view from The Getty is one of the best in Los Angeles. Unfortunately inside the gallery they would not let us take pictures due to copyright purposes, but I was still glad that I got the experience of seeing the photography. 











Many of the pictures in this gallery were beds or bedrooms with different backgrounds such as a bed with the background of the Brooklyn Bridge, or the New York Skyline, and I though this was very interesting and took a lot of talent to produce.  This photography pertains to our class because it shows us that art can be found everywhere.  In our class we have found the there is art in science, technology, and medicine, and along those line we may find art with anything if we are creative and inspired.

 This visual experience improved not only my view of the course, but it improved my appreciation for art as a whole.  I would also recommend this event for my classmates, because if you have not been to the Getty you have to go while you are in school at UCLA.  The creativity that Abelardo Morell uses in his camera obscura allows his audience to become awestruck wondering how this was possible.  He is a great photographer and his photos are considered art because of the creativity and entertainment that they possess. 

Nanotechnology + Art

 
Nanotechnology is the ability to change and alter matter on a molecular and atomic scale.  Nanotechnology affects science and technology, and will change the world in the future.  The structure of matter is what allows for nano technology to be effective in many cases. By changing these nano particles scientists have the ability to change the physical properties such as opaque to transparent, as in sunscreen, solids to liquids, and an insulator to a conductor.  We have seen examples of nano particles in ancient materials such as Roman pottery where in the daylight the object appears green, but when lit from inside the material is a red color from nano sized gold.

 
 Silver nano particles are the most popular in the world today as they may be seen mostly in everyday items such as socks and underwear.  These nano particles allow for bacteria to be killed, which eliminates smell. 

Next, we can also see Nanotechnology in nature, as we attempt to mimic nature's perfections, such as surfaces like a gecko's feet.  Scientists have attempted to copy the feet of a gecko in order to create new adhesives.  The stickiness of a gecko's feet comes from the structure of the surface of their feet.  Another example is that of a Blue Morpho butterfly that has blue reflective wings thanks to a Christmas tree-like structure that allows for light to be manipulated on a nano scale level.

 


Also, by changing the size of a nano particle, we may also change the color.   Color is nano size, and the quantum dots will change the color of a particle as we see changes in size.  If we shrink a black material, the material does not remain black, the smaller it gets the more it changes color.  Nano medicine has also been an important aspect of nanotechnology, and how doctors are attempting to use it.  Doctors have used nanotechnology to target tumors, as well as diseases with these colors inside cells.  They have also used this technology to reduce the toxicity of some cancer treatments, which would be very beneficial in our world today. 

Sources:

Gemzewski, James. "Introduction for Nanotechnology for Artists" YouTube. May 21, 2012. November 24, 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE&noredirect=1>

Curtin, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." John Curtin Gallery. Febuary 5, 2010. November 24, 2013. <http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>

Rothemund, Paul. "DNA Folding, in Detail" TedTalks. September 2008.  November 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_details_dna_folding.html>

"New Nano particles Make Blood Clots Visible" Nanowiki. February 7, 2011. November 24, 2013. <http://nanowiki.info/#[[New%20nanoparticles%20make%20blood%20clots%20visible]]>

"Making Stuff: Smaller" NOVA. January, 26, 2011. November 24, 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/making-stuff.html#making-stuff-smaller>

Neuroscience + Art

Ramon y Cajal is known as the founder of neuro anatomy for pioneering the microscopic structures of the brain.  His drawings have been used as a teaching tool in order to better understand the complexities of the brain.  The tree-like neurons that he shows have created a base for all artwork within the brain.  Ramon y Cajal used art to display the neurological structures and processes of how the left brain and right brain interact.

 In an interesting display of science and art the Brainbow uses florescent proteins to distinguish individual neurons from one another.  In a rapid display of different vibrant colors the connections within neurons may now be discovered.  This not only allowed for scientific advancement, but this was considered an intrinsic piece of art as well.  The colors amaze and stimulate the brain into a constant shift of art and science.






Albert Hofmann was known as the first scientist to synthesize and ingest LSD.  He discovered a whole new world in which shapes and colors filled his thoughts, in an alternate frame of mind.  Everyday experiences such as riding a bike or looking at the sky now became extraordinary art.  This drug was originally seen as a cure all for any ailment or disease, but scientists could not control the effects, so today it is only taken as a recreational drug. 


Timothy Leary was another advocate for psychedelic drugs, and he issued them to his students at Harvard University in order to perform tests.  One of his mottos while using the drug was to turn on, tune in,  and drop out.  LSD was taken in order to alter the mind, and although the effects were dangerous, it did place the human mind into a world of art that could not be duplicated.

Sources:
Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience" YouTube. Lecture. May 16, 2012. November 17, 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EX75xoBJ0>

 Cohen, Mark. "Neuroscience" YouTube. Lecture. May 12, 2012. November 17, 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDq8uTROeXU>

Anker, Suzanne and Frazetto, Giovanni. "Neuroculture" Macmillan Publishers Limited. November 2009. November 17, 2013. Print.

Gardener, Howard. "Art, Mind, And Brain" Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data. 1982. November 17, 2013. Print.

Bateson, Gregory. "Mind and Nature" November 17, 2013. Print. <http://www.oikos.org/mind&nature.htm>

BioTech + Art

Joe Davis is known as a pioneer in the field of Bio Art for his work in many areas such as studying the effects of music on bacteria, such as E Coli. Bio Art plays a role in the genetic engineering of different scientific subjects in the form of art.  This is a very controversial topic for many reasons, because people argue that it is inhumane to perform this art on animals, or to genetically change nature. However, there are also many reasons that Bio Art should continue to be expressed in our world today.

 An intriguing experiment done by scientists and claimed by artists was that of an albino bunny that was injected with cells from a fluorescent jellyfish.  This should be considered a form of art as science, because artists have performed a special display of creativity, upon a living creature.  By injecting the rabbit, scientists may also target specific strands of DNA that they are targeting in order to study as well.  In this case the rabbit is the canvas, and the jellyfish cells are the paint brush.

Another example of Bio Art is when a group called Symbiotica used gold fish neurons in order to control a robot arm, which drew a picture, creating art.  This is an interesting art form that is derived from the use of science.

Flowers have also been cross bred in order to convey a form of art.  This hybrid flower is an example of the beauties that may be presented with the use of Bio Art.  This is a very special type of art, one that alters nature which provides a controversial topic.  Controversial or not, this art form is unique and extraordinary.

Sources:

Vesna, Victoria. "Bioart" Lecture. YouTube. Sep 18, 2013. Nov 10, 2013.

Levy, Ellen. "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications." Essay. Nov 10, 2013.

"Animal Biotechnology" University of California Television. YouTube. July 25, 2008. Nov 10, 2013.

High, Kathy. "Embracing Animal" Website. Nov 10, 2013.

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP Bunny" Article. Nov 10, 2013.