Robotics + Art

Walter Benjamin explains in his work,The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, that each human sensory perspective is not only biological but is also historical. This coincides with what professor Vesna brings up in her lecture when she says that culture formed the imaging of the first robots we saw. It’s interesting to note that the first robots looked similar to human form because of this cultural impression. People didn’t find these robots to be threatening at first probably because of the way they resembled another human being and their inability to compute new information on their own. Instead they used them as entertainment and weren’t seen the same as they are now in society.

Machiko Kusahara discusses the idea that people have grown to think of robots as evil or something to be afraid of ever since the industrial revolution. This comes from people being forced to work with machines during the revolution where factory workers were forced to operate these large machines. This made these people apart of the machine and began a fear of machinery and therefor robots. It’s interesting how the idea of a powerful robot wasn’t feared before the revolution but since then robotics and machinery has developed far beyond a simple use of entertainment.

The prevalent fear of robots in today’s society is shown through movies such as IRobot. As technology has advanced over the years, a robot in human form has become more eerie and feared than it was when robots first emerged. This is most likely derived from the development in a robots abilities and the mechanical run world we now live in. The robots in this movie are shown doing every human task imaginable before they violently try to take over the world. Since robots can now do more than a human in a faster and more efficient manner, people believe that robots are slowly going to invade our lives starting with toys and simple household appliances. This intimidating feeling robots give people shows our cultures projection on this advanced technology.

Works Cited

Benjamin, Walter, and J. A. Underwood. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. N. pag. Print.

Brooks, Rodney. "Robots Will Invade Our Lives." Ted Talks. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Kusahara, Machiko. "Professor Machiko Kusahara on Japanese Robotics." Course Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Szollosy, Michael. "Why Are We Afraid of Robots? The Role of Projection in the Popular Con." Ception of Robots. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Unit 2- Math + Art

This week I learned about how math has influenced art and science. Although most artists have been removed from the mathematical world within education, artists still use math often. Professor Vesna explained in her lecture that Brunelleschi was credited with creating the first formula of linear perspective that used math to help explain the vanishing point. This is one way that math and art collide. A mathematical theorem is used to explain how the vanishing point works and is created. Many early artists relied on using mathematical principles such as this to create spatially correct art.

Another way art and math collide is in origami. Robert Lang explains the underlying mathematics in creating origami on his website, stating that one can choose from different axioms that are basic operations, like a compass, for making origami. In order to create origami that is successful, you have to be able to understand how to create certain angles and how certain shapes will align with one another. Thomas Hull explains in his article that origami is a form of geometry and that people have found different ways to algorithmatize the origami design process. This artistic form uses math as a guide and without the use of mathematics it wouldn’t be consistent. 

Artist, Piero della Francesca, was a leading mathematician and artists which  allowed him to have a combined outlook when creating art. He focused on geometry of vision which shows in his art when looking at the details in his figures. It really helped me to understand how art and math combine when looking at his diagrams and his formula that he used to create his work. The perfection and exactness in his art is possible because of the way he incorporates the study of math and geometry into his thought process. 

Juxtaposition is important in art because the way certain things are placed together can completely alter a piece of work. By using mathematical ideas an artists can make sure that their work will come out the way they plan.

References

Frantz, Mark. Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art (n.d.): n. pag. UCF.edu. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.

Hull, Thomas. "Origami Mathematics." Page. N.p., 14 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Hull, Tom. "Geometrics and Tessellations." N.p., 1999. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Lang, Robert. "Science, Mathematics, and Technology." Science, Mathematics, and Technology. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

"Perspective in Mathematics and Art." Perspective in Mathematics and Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Week 1- Two Cultures

After reading part of C.P. Snow’s book about the two cultures, I found myself really understanding the topic through the interactions of UCLA students. I am a north campus major with little interest and desire to try to fully understand the scientific side of most things. Besides the complete separation of science majors and literary majors on campus, there is also a strong social separation as well.

I have many friends who are south campus majors, but I have never taken the time to actually ask them details about what they are studying. I have assumptions of what people who are interested in science are like and therefore don’t ever think to inquire about my peers science classes or interests. Snow brings this up in his argument when he talks about the two cultures lacking interest and understanding of each other because of these misinterpretations. Snow also says that this is a dangerous process, which can be ultimately destructive to our society. 

I can see how this can be a problem for our campus and society as a whole. Without proper communication there can’t be cooperation on the larger problems in society which don’t have a one sided solution. Steve Jobs understood this issue with Apple, claiming that his products come from "technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities." 

http://remakelearning.org/blog/2015/03/10/the-artificial-line-between-science-and-art/

We all have different views of things because of our educational backgrounds and it affects our ability to work together and agree on the larger issues. If creative and scientific minds can learn how to mold and work together, societies effectiveness would increase and we could have a better chance of solving problems such as poverty and environmental issues. 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-scientists-should-embrace-liberal-arts/

Citations

"FG Distribute N2.2 Bn to 444 Co-operative Societies." Information and Technology World. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.

Orenstein, Natalie. "The Artificial Line Between Science and Art – Remake Learning." The Artificial Line Between Science and Art – Remake Learning. N.p., 10 Mar. 2015. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.

Skorton, David. "Why Scientists Should Embrace the Liberal Arts." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. 

                       Print.

"UCLA Campus Map." UCLA Campus Map. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.

"Wellington Short Sales: Communication Is Key!" Wellington Florida Short Sales. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.