Event 3: Fowler Museum

As a student at UCLA, I have never heard a single thing about the Fowler Museum until I took this class. I think it is a shame that nobody speaks of it because it is truly an amazing place with fascinating exhibits. I made my short walk from Lot 7 over to Fowler Museum, walked inside, and was immediately. I walked in and headed straight. It just so happened that my favorite exhibit was the first one I saw. I was very fascinated by the sculptures in the first room I went in. It was an exhibit called making strange by Vivan Sundarum. I was told by one of the people working in the room that the first project, known as Gagawaka, was made up of twenty-seven sculptural garments made up of medical supplies and recycled materials. This was amazing to me that one could be so resourceful and still make such amazing art. 

By using medical supplies to create the pieces, VIvan Sundarum showed the connection between art and medicine in a way that I would have never imagined. When taking the class, I only thought art and medicine were connected through the actual practice of medicine. After seeing this exhibit, I was proved wrong. Medical pieces actually made up the art which proved to me that art and medicine can quite literally be connected. 

All in all, I feel like I got a greater understanding of how resourceful, and how unexpected art can be. I would have never known these pieces were made up of recycled materials and medical supplies if it were not for the worker telling me. It proves to show the creativity that some artists have. If I were to look at a medical supply, I would never be able to see art in it, but people like Sundarum do just that. 

Event 2: The Getty

The next place I went to was The Getty. Unlike the Hammer Museum, I had actually heard of the Getty before, and heard that it was a very cool place. I was looking forward to going even though i was not sure what to expect. I expected it to be a regular museum with some nice paintings and some nice sculptures, but when I got there I was blown away. It was so much more than a regular museum. It was a beautiful center with both art and architecture. I had no idea that it would have so much to it. Most museums I have been to have been entirely indoors, so when I saw this amazing place in Malibu, I was in awe.

I was most attracted to this beautiful outdoor area in the middle of the villa. Naturally I am much more drawn to the outdoors than I am to the paintings inside, so this is where I spent a majority of my time. The architecture outside was truly jaw-dropping. The building reminded me of a European building, and all of the plants were perfectly trimmed. This reminded me of our lesson on nature, as it really reflected the art there is in nature. 

Although I spent most of my time outside, I did also go inside to admire some of the artwork. All of the sculptures were precise and extremely well done. The time and effort put into those sculptures clearly paid off. They were all extremely nice, and like the villa they reflected some of the European sculptures I have seen before. I really enjoyed my time at The Getty.

Event 1: Hammer Museum

I did not know what to expect before arriving at the Hammer Museum, as I had no idea what they had there. To be honest, I went because it was close to campus, but I could not be happier that it is one of the place I chose to go to. It was a very cool place with a lot of art that caught my attention.

One of the things in this class that always intrigued me was the connection between technology and art, and there were plenty of examples of this at the museum. As strange as it sounds, the first thing that caught my eye at the Hammer Museum were these weird things on the ground that looked like a spinning top. I would have never known what their use was if there were not other people sitting down in them. You could sit down in them and spin around without ever falling over. Although it may not be extremely advanced technology, it really impressed me. I had some fun in my little chair and then moved on throughout the museum.

There were also other pieces that really caught my eye. The rolling London Bridge amazed me. It was one of the most advanced ideas I had ever seen in something as basic as a bridge. The bridge has the ability to lay out completely flat for people to go over, but if a boat needs to pass by, it can roll up into a ball. I would have never thought it was even possible if I had never seen this display. The Hammer Museum presented lots of cool and fun displays that really related to what I learned in this class.

Space+Art

Space is something that really intrigues me, as it is so limitless and so unknown. My whole life I have wondered what space has to offer. With technology, we have seen what space is like, but we really have no idea what is outside of our own universe. It is truly mind boggling to think about, and is something that will always interest me. Thanks to technological advancements, I can get a better idea of what space is like. In the “Powers of Ten” video from this week’s materials, we can see a mathematical approach on how to scale our universe as a factor of ten. This video presents technology that would have been unheard of not too long ago. The video maps out our universe by focusing in on a small spot on earth and then expanding out by ten meters. From the small spot on earth, to the entire universe, and then focusing back in on the small spot, mathematics helps us survey space in a way that is comprehendible through the factor of ten. As discussed in previous weeks, technology, math, and science are all linked to art. We now see that space is also linked to art. 

Space is just another form of nature. Various pictures taken of space have shown the beautiful crevices and craters that space, and specifically, the moon have. these pieces of art are truly wonderful. We have all sorts of pictures from space, taken by satellites, space crafts, and even men on the moon. Saying it simply, art captures beauty. Art can transform our perception of objects into something completely different. Without art, we would have no perception of space whatsoever. 

Movies have also caught on to the trend of delving into space. Most recently, one of my favorite movies, Interstellar, depicted space and its association with time relativity beautifully. It was truly a work of art, and could have never happened without all of the technological advancements we have made in the past years. 

Sources: 

"Powers of ten." Youtube. Eames Office, 26 Aug 2010. Web. 29 May 2015. 

Sagan, Carl. "A Pale Blue Dot Quotes." Good Reads. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2015.

Rauschenberg, Robert. Stoned Moon. Digital image. Rauschenberg. Robert Rauschenberg       

Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.

Fulmer, Kyle. "Space and Art." - NSA Watch. NASA, 5 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 May 20

Vensa, Victoria. "Space Exploration Plus Art." Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 29 Jul 2013. Web. 29 

May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. DESMA 9. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.

NanoTech+Art

When you think about nanotechnology, art is not the first thing that comes to ones mind. Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. Because you cannot see this science with the naked eye, one does not think of it as being a form of art. In reality, it is an art form. Although we have not discussed science at the atomic level, we have discussed how science is art. 

Nanotechnology is not something that can be taken on alone. As we saw in the Vesna intro, it is collaborative effort, just as art is becoming. Art is a creative process, just as science is. The technology put into nanotechnology is truly an art form. Richard Feynman once gave a talk where he discussed how much room there was for development at the atomic level. He was very interested in how he could manipulate things at the atomic level, and what he discovered was that there was infinite room for improvement. 

The science that goes into the nanotechnology is truly an art form. Self assembly and self organization are key to nanotechnology. The structures that are involved and formed can be seen as art. Although one cannot actually see the molecules, with the help of technology, one can see them clearly. They can form beautiful structures that is appealing to many people. Although this may not have been the most intriguing topic for me, I still enjoyed learning about nanotechnology. 

Sources: 

"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

Curtin, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015. <https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

"Richard Feynman Introduces the World to Nanotechnology with Two Seminal Lectures (1959 & 1984)." Open Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

"Morpho." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

"Research and Innovation Communications." How Butterfly Wings Can Inspire New High-Tech 

Surfaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria and Gimzewski, Jim. “The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact and fiction in the construction of a new science.”

Neuroscience and Art

As seen previously, art and science are very connected. Art can provide a foundation for many different things. One of these things is science, and more specifically neuroscience.  Neuroscience has anything to do with the manipulation, pharmacology, development or structure of the nervous system. We are continually making advancements in this field, and many of these advancements come from art. First of all, the technology we use in the field or neuroscience is all considered art. The structures we make, and the perspectives we use to create these structures is truly mind-blowing. 

A neuroscientist, Mark Cohen, looked deeply into this field, and conducted many studies. He made a study altered a person's perception through goggles, and over time the neurological adjustment became quicker and quicker, proving the nervous system's ability to adapt. The goggles altered the person's perception and turned everything upside down. He found that while the altered perception does take awhile, after frequently taking the goggles on and off, your brain reacts much quicker time after time (Cohen). 

Not only is art connected to neuroscience through technology, it also connected through the structure of the neurological system. Scientists have discovered the affects certain things have on the neurological system, and it is amazing how much the system is affected. Things such as music can trigger the neurological system and help express emotions. Neuroscience is clearly linked to art, and it is great to see the two intertwine. 

Sources:

 Cohen, Mark. Neuroscience-Mark Cohen. 2012. Web. 17 May 2015.

Costandi, Mo. "The Discovery of the Neuron." Neurophilosophy. Wordpress, 29 Aug. 2006. Web. 15 May 2015

“Neuroscience.” Dictionary.com 2015. Web. 17 May 2015

Penrose, Roger. ""Consciousness Involves Noncomputable Ingredients"." Edge.org. Simon and Schuster. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html>.

"The Neuroscience Of Music." Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience Pt. 1. "Youtube. 17 May 2012. Web. 15 May 2015.

Biotechnology and Art

Biotechnology is something that really came across as being interesting to me. It is something that I have never really looked into, but after looking into it, I discovered just how complex this controversial enigma truly is. It ranges from simple genetic modifications to cloning, and even has the potential to be an aid to the solution to third world hunger. I learned that biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. Joe Davis wrote a book about biotechnology, acknowledging what life is, and what it means when we actually manipulate life.

Something that really caught my attention was the connection between biotechnology and the animal world. Artificial insemination is something that really struck me as being fascinating. It is what stuck with me the most after reading about what Davis had to say. That is the very thing that I feel like he is talking about when he speaks of manipulating life. In essence, it is factoring out natural selection, and making whatever you want so that it is the best. This tactic is extremely helpful for those in the agricultural business, as they can easily inseminate their livestock, and create exactly what they want the baby to be like. Artificial insemination is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female. It is commonly used instead of natural mating in many species of animals because it can have so many different benefits. Some examples of these benefits are increased safety of the animals and producer, increased production efficiency, and better genetics.

Biotechnology is a prime example of art, as the connection is clear. Life itself is art, and the creation of life is even more a matter of art. People are using technology to create new pieces of art and to become more productive. 










Sources:
"Animal Biotechnology." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015.
"Artificial Insemination Costs, Risks, Procedure." DocShop Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.
"Artificial Insemination." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.
Vesna, Victoria, narr. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” N.p., . web. 8 May 2015.
"What Is Biotechnology?" What Is Biotechnology? N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.

Medicine + Technology + Art

It can be difficult for your average human to find a connection between medicine, technology, and art, but after viewing this week's assignment, I can now see the connection. There are so many different things that connect the three, and understanding this can give you a whole different view on the subject matter. The first thing that struck me when thinking about art and medicine was the anatomy of the human body. Although it may not seem like art, the human body is a complex system with various different things occurring. In essence, the human body is art. Without artists like Andreas Vesalius, who was one of the first to accurately depict the structure of a human body, we would not be able to see the body and explain what is going on with it as easily. If you think about it, even skeletons are art forms, as they are designed and used to help the world understand the body. 

 Furthermore, medicine can be seen as an art form, as it can transform the human body and give a person their desired appearance. For example, a teenage boy dealing with bad acne can get on a prescription known as "Accutane," and within a year or so, he will never have to worry about acne again. Because of our technological advancements in medicine, one can be completely transformed. Plastic surgery is one type of procedure that can be seen as art. A person can be upset about their appearance one day, and the next day they can undergo surgery and have a completely different look. 

Finally, another art linked with medicine and technology is braille. Braille is a vital tool in our modern world, necessary for those with blindness. One can run their fingers across dots, and form words based off of that. It is a jaw-dropping concept that is a huge advancement in our world. It gives us a way to communicate with those dealing with blindness without using our voice. So many different things connect medicine, technology, and art, and these are just a few of the many examples.

Sources: 

"Vesalius - Pages 3 and 4." Virtual Books: Images Only. British Library, 1543. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/vesalius/accessible/pages3and4.html#content

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.” Lecture. Medicine pt1 . Youtube, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/psjnQarHOqQ.” Lecture. Medicine pt2 . Youtube, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

"The National Museum of Health and Medicine." Smithsonian. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.

"Visual Art for the Visually Impaired by Roy Nachum." Yatzer.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.

Cotter, Holland. "Artist’s Life: Cut, Nip and Tuck." The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Apr. 2009. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.

Art and Robotics

Robotics are very prevalent in our modern world, as we come across robots on a daily basis. With our advancements in technology, we have gone from having nearly no robots, to having robots at our expense whenever we feel. They can provide moral support, help us find a destination, and even do google searches for us. It is truly remarkable how much we have developed technologically, and it is baffling to think about what the future has to hold. After reading the several sources, it makes me wonder how much more we can possibly develop. The most prevalent example of robots in our daily lives are smart phones. Robots such as Siri can do anything almost anything you could imagine a phone doing. Siri can respond to our questions, and even have a conversation with us because of the way Apple programmed her. 

 But do all of these advancements take away from our creativity? Do we begin to rely on robots too much? Benjamin Walker makes me think about this. Machines seem to be taking away the need for humans to continue to be specialized. It seems as if there are machines for everything. There are even cars made by Google that can drive themselves. Soon enough humans will be able to get to work and back without even watching the road. We are so reliant on robots that we are actually turning into robots. It is taking away from the need to work hard, as well as the need to be creative. 

An exaggerated example of this in a movie is iRobot. Robots begin as maids and other tools for humans to use, and soon enough they are taking over our world. Although this may never happen, it is very symbolic of what our world is turning into. We may start to become the robots, and the robots may begin to take over. 

Sources:
"I, Robot." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Www.marxists.org. 1 Feb. 2005. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
"Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan - Google Careers." Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan - Google Careers. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
"Secret Siri Commands: Twelve Cool Questions You Can Ask Right Now!"IMore. N.p., 24 Jan. 2015. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Math and Art

I had never looked at the link between art and science before this week, but after learning about the two, it is clear that they have a connection. All connections originate from nature. Much of the linkage has to do with perspective. One example of this, pointed out by Marc Frantz, is the idea of vanishing point. An explanation is provided, and it is explained as, “if two or more lines in the real world are parallel to one another, but not parallel to the picture plane, then they have the same vanishing point” (Frantz). He also explains further and says that the perspective of these images will not be parallel.

Another man who implemented math into art was Maurits Escher. M.C. Escher has a more mind-blowing type of art, as he gives the observer a more crafty style of art. His use of different shapes and perspectives really provides the artist with a different experience. His work was admired by many artists, and he inspired loads of other artists to implement mathematical themes into their art. As well as learning about Escher’s work, I was introduced to the idea of fractals. Fractals are patterns that recur at different scales. Fractals are extremely helpful in modeling structures, as well as many other artistic realms. Finally, they also help in describing different phenomena, such as crystal growth, fluid turbulence, and galaxy formation.

References:

"What Are Fractals?" FractalFoundationorg RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Paralle. Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art (n.d.): n. pag. Web.

"ART+COM Studios." ART+COM Studios Front Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Week 1

Everyone's lives have been influenced by multiple cultures whether they know it or not. Some believe they are not, but in the end they really are. The artists describe the gap between two cultures as groups that are separated by interests in linguistics and interests in science. The two ultimately have a bridge that link them together in some aspect. I experience this on a daily basis. Although I am undeclared, I will definitely be a north campus major, which has to do with interests in linguistics. But just because I will have a north campus major does not mean I am not effected by the south campus lifestyle. Because many of the south campus classes relate to my life, I have taken some classes in order to know more about my body and it's functions.

Furthermore, growing up in an Italian family, I have definitely seen two different cultures relate to my life. My Italian roots and traditions tend to be much different from those of my friends who are not Italian. I have learned that it is good to understand multiple cultures, as it makes me a more well-rounded man.

Seeing the perspectives of artists have really made me think about how much my life is effected by two cultures. It makes me much more understanding of different lifestyles, and helps me realize that although we may have different interests, everyone can relate to each other in one way or another. As a student, I can be more open to different cultures, and see how they can positively effect my life.

Sources
Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.
Snow, C.P. The Two Cultures: And a Second Look. N.p.: n.p., 1963. Print.
"Leaning Tower of Pisa | Tower, Pisa, Italy." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.
"Italy Flag - All about Italy Flag - Colors, Meaning, Information & History."Italy Flag - All about Italy Flag - Colors, Meaning, Information & History. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.
"University of California, Los Angeles." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.