Event 2- Making Strange

 
As my second event, I went to the Fowler Museum and saw the Making Strange exhibit by Vivan Sundaram. This exhibit consisted of various mannequin's and dummies dressed in wearable outfits made out of various materials including medical equipment and other recyclable materials. While these pieces were actually quite beautiful works of art they appealed to a darker meaning. The inseparable connection between the human body and "stylish" garments was apparent. When bringing in the medical objects, Sundaram really creates a fine line between sickness and societies desire to be physically appealing.

 

This exhibit made me think of the medical technology unit that was discussed. One piece was a mannequin wearing an aesthetically pleasing looking clear outfit made out of medical tubes. While this actually looked like a visually pleasing piece of art, the idea that these tubes keep sick people alive makes an interesting dynamic. While some of the pieces were bright and cheerful, such as a mannequin dressed in a red dress made out of bras, there was pieces like the tube outfit that were more morbid. The contrast in this exhibit was really interesting and I found it to be successful in the artists desire to create a fine line between the idealized idea of fashion and the realistic ideas of sickness and death. I would recommend this exhibit because it really made me rethink my priorities when it comes to daily materialistic things just from these simple yet intriguing works of art.

 

Making Strange: Gagawaka + Postmortem by Vivan Sundaram

April 19–September 6, 2015. Fowler Museum

Space + Art

This weeks lecture focused on space by combining ideas from nanotechnology, biotechnology, and robotics. The development of space technology and the exploration of space led to a new culture that was inspired by the ideas of space travel and the endless possibilities space offered. This allowed other mediums to get involved with the interest in space and opened up peoples artistic and imaginative worlds. Cartoons, such as the Jetsons, used animation to appeal to societies interest in the new space phenomenon. There were various Television shows created around the idea of space travel, animated and not animated. Star Trek and My Favorite Martian were among other shows that became increasingly popular as space exploration became more advanced and realistic. One of the videos shows in the lecture claimed that the program was based on the idea, "How far can you get?" This shows peoples desire to explore space, and the medias way to capitalize on the consumer's desires.

Not only was this consumption of space centered products happening in America, but in other countries as well. When Russia sent up Sputnik 2 with the first dog, Russian outlets were reporting on the well being of the animal daily. As seen in the lecture video, there were even cigarettes made with the dogs face on it. Any image having to do with space was desirable at the time.

There is even an online art exhibit that is focused on an interplanetarian experience called "The Mars Patent." People can explore strange and new ideas that are out of this world and can do so on the supposed planet of Mars. Even today the unknown of space and excitement it brings is appealing to all types of audiences which allows artists, filmmakers, and many other types of professions to use this interest to their advantage.

Works Cited

"MARS PATENT: Welcome." MARS PATENT: Welcome. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. 

"Shows." Most Popular TV for Science-fiction and 1960-1969. TV.com, n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. 

"Space Craze: Cultural Context." Omeka RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. 

Vesna, Victoria. "ONLINE COURSE LOGIN." Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. 

Wild, Chris. "How the Soviet Union Honored the Dogs That Conquered Space." Mashable. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015.

Nanotech + Art

I found it interesting that nanotechnology and art have been found together even in the Roman times. In his lecture, Dr. Gimzewski talks about how Romans found a way to nano size gold particles to create different types of coloring in their pottery. When you look at art like this you normal don't think of science being used especially hundreds of years ago. One piece called the Lycurgus Cup, uses nano particles to appear jade from one side but red when lit from behind. The mixture of the particles in order to create this reaction means that the Roman's knew what they were doing and that mixing art and science can be traced back in history. 

Even in nature nanotechnology can be found. The lotus leaf has a nano structure that doesn't allow water to stay on it. This phenomenon makes water run off the leaf which has inspired companies to make self cleaning fabrics. Nanotechnology can be found pretty much everywhere in society. 

In his Ted Talk Paul Rothemund talks about DNA folding that actually creates art using nano 

molecules. He used DNA to make smiley faces and other shapes. This was only a step in to 

making other technology but I found this step to be interesting in its self because of its appeal 

to all types of audiences. 

Works Cited

"DNA Folding, in Detail." Paul Rothemund:. Ted Talk, n.d. Web. 22 May 2015. 

Forbes, Peter. "Self-Cleaning Materials: Lotus Leaf-Inspired Nanotechnology." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2015. 

Gimzewski. "ONLINE COURSE LOGIN." Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2015. 

Merali, Zeeya. "This 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows That the Romans Were Nanotechnology Pioneers." Smithsonian. N.p., Sept. 2013. Web. 22 May 2015. 

"Paul W.K. Rothemund - Home Page." Paul W.K. Rothemund - Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2015.

Neuroscience + Art

I found the artistic pieces of the sea sponges to be most helpful in understanding this weeks topics. These animals offer clues to the development and origins of the brain and neurological synapses but are being used as an art piece that forms neuroscience, animals, and art all into one. This is a great example of how even neuroscience and art works together to help each other.

In a Ted Talk, Christopher DeCharms talks about a new way to alter brain function. It was an interesting topic because he talked about a way to use art forms such as 3d models in order to help people solve chronic pain issues and other problems through manipulating the brain. By being able to map out and see where different sensations are coming from within the brain, we are able to use that information to manipulate it. Not only is this something that has developed into an important part of neuroscience and medical technology, but it also is an advancement in art.

In an episode of Greys Anatomy, the doctors use a 3d printer to create a replica of a tumor in order to see where they would need to cut before they even saw the actual brain tumor. This episode reminded me of this weeks topic because it shows how the development of art forms, like 3d printing, could help save peoples lives. This new technology allows doctors and people of other professions to create new things from scratch that help further their fields. The welding of art forms and neuroscience is an expanding concept that will help doctors to more easily understand the brain and things of this sort.

Works Cited

"A Look inside the Brain in Real Time." Christopher DeCharms:. Ted Talk, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. 

"Origins Of Nervous System Found In Genes Of Sea Sponge." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 June 2007. Web. 17 May 2015. 

"Season 11 Episode 10 The Bed's Too Big Without You." ABC. ABC, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 17 May 2015. 

Thernstrom, Melanie. "My Pain, My Brain." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 May 2006. Web. 17 May 2015. 

Vesna, Victoria. "Unit 7 View." UCOnline. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Biotech and Art

Biotechnology is technology that is based on biology and helps develop products and technology that help improve our lives and the health of the planet. If this is the case then human creativity should not be limited when it comes to this topic. While genetically modified substances such as agricultural products may not be the healthiest options, they have opened up the world to a vast amount of possibilities. The human race has been able to create a larger quantity and variety of food because of these biotech experiments. Biotechnology shows how humans are learning to create broad range of new inventions and ways to produce things. 

Although countless documentaries such as Food Inc. has shows us that genetically modified food is bad for us, I think that it reveals a lot about society. Just because where we are at with genetically modified food right now seems to be a bad path, it just means that scientists will continue to figure out new ways to create new substances. The biotech engineers have learned how to create food that can survive harsh temperatures and diseases in order to feed large populations. If genetically modified technology is that far along then it will continue to adapt and people will learn how to use these technologies to create a better version of what there is now. Instead of people fearing GMO's they should accept that it is the middle step to a final solution to food problems and global starvation. 

There are currently scientists at Yale who are developing ways to make GMO's safer and make sure they don't escape the areas they are created in. These people will be the future of the biotech industry. 

Works Cited

"GMO Facts." GMO Awareness. N.p., 16 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 May 2015. 

Johnson, Carolyn. "Harvard, Yale Scientists Develop Technique to Make GMOs Safer - The Boston Globe." BostonGlobe.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. 

"POV | Food, Inc. | Interview with Michael Pollan | PBS." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.

Stutz, Bruce. "Seed Magazineabout." Wanted: GM Seeds for Study § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. 

"'Super Weed' Taking Strong Hold in Utah | KSL.com." 'Super Weed' Taking Strong Hold in Utah | KSL.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. 

Event 1- In Focus Play

The Exhibit, In Focus: Play, helped me relate to the idea of technology and art intertwining by revealing how photography directly influenced art. This exhibit focuses on the introduction of photography in 1839 and how that captured the changes in society at the time. A new culture was emerging that was more open to the idea of leisure activities which was finally documented through this new medium. This exhibit is a testament to how technology directly influenced a new type of art and brought out new creative ways to show a realistic side of people which was never captured before. These photographs not only showed the happiness and relaxation of people around the world but also shows the different social conditions which they played in and how technology and art developed through generations.

This exhibit shows photographs such as this with young boys playing on skateboards in Los Angeles directly next to children playing in crumbled ruins in Spain. The same art form was able to show the differences around the world through a simple idea such as playing. This not only helped to inform other cultures of what was happening at the time but also revealed the true need for advanced technology in art.

I would definitely recommend this event because it was overall just a nice way to see people happy even in the worst conditions. I found the topic of play to be a fun and interesting take on historical moments and I think its really helpful to see the effect of technology on art. The exhibit also showcased multiple photographers so it was a wide array of techniques and different takes on the idea of play which really gives you a full experience. 

In Focus: Play

December 23, 2014–May 10, 2015, GETTY CENTER

MedTech + Art

I’ve never really thought of medical technology as being art even when it was right in front of me. After Professor Vesna mentioned the Bodies exhibit, I remembered that I had actually seen one many years ago. It was an extremely interesting and cool experience but even then I didn’t even realize I was in an art exhibit and not a science one. This lecture has opened up my eyes to the coming together of art and medical science and made me realize the wide world of possibilities which many of the artist mentioned in the lecture have taken advantage of.

Kevin Warwick’s project to surgically implant a silicon chip transponder inside of his body reminded me of the robotics unit. I explored the way in which people respond to robotics and art being formed that led me to believe that most people find the future of robotics to be frightening. If this is the case, then it is even more interesting how Warwick made the choice to merge himself and a computer together. Man and machine being combined is what most people fear, yet Warwick chooses to use himself for the experiment. This shows how some people are willing to sacrifice their own bodies for the sake of science and art.

The trailer for The Island helped me relate to this unit because it shows how a future merging of art and medical science could lead to a even more complicated society where people use clones to help themselves medically. This also brings up the question that if cloning became a reality how would artists ethically use this. Using your own body in an experiment or art piece may be okay because it is your choice but would using a clone be seen as wrong?

Works Cited

"Bodies the Exhibition." Premiere Exhibitions. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

"Cyborg 1.0." Cyborg 1.0. The University of Reading, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

Edgar, James. "'Captain Cyborg': The Man behind the Controversial Turing Test Claims." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

"The Island Trailer." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

Vesna. "ONLINE COURSE LOGIN." Course Login. UCOnline, n.d. Web. 27 Apr