DESMA 9 Week 8 Blog
Abi Altick
May 26, 2019
Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art
Honestly, I have never considered myself a “science” person, and many scientific topics often confuse me. Even seeing Week 9’s topic of “nanotechnology” intimidated me at first! However, thanks to art, we are able to learn about these complicated scientific topics with greater ease. Essentially, art is used to more clearly help explain specific scientific subject such as nanotechnology (PBS News). Art can be used to make nanotechnology easier to understand; for example, Nano Art is a platform that helps people understand extremely complex subjects such as quantum physics. According to Stefan Lovgren, the Quantum Tunnel is a type of Nano Art that is able to create particles and waves by placing images of faces on opposing walls (Lovgren). This is a prime example of the combination of science and art. On the other hand, nanotechnology can also be used to preserve art. In fact, Amaya Camara-Campos showcases how acrylic polymers have been used to preserve murals (Camara-Campos).
One of the most prevalent examples of this idea that art helps explain science was displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. At this museum, UCLA’s own Nano scientists and media art experts joined forces to give people the opportunity to experience nanotechnology. Even though visitors cannot see nanotechnology, the exhibit made it possible for these people to sense it. For instance, visitors were able to experience what it feels like to move molecules and manipulate atoms. In this way, art helps contribute to nanotechnology by making this overwhelming subject a little more relatable and approachable. All in all, this week it was incredibly interesting to learn about the ways that art is able to collaborate with nanotechnology, even though they are viewed as two polar opposite subjects at first glance.
In the material
this week, I was particularly excited to learn about the topic of
nanotechnology. This is because prior to this week’s lectures and readings, I
had very little knowledge about this complex subject. In fact, I honestly did
not know what nanotechnology was until it was defined in the lecture. Professor
Vensa explains that nanotechnology is defined as a form of “collaboration
between science and art, in which artists are seeking to shift the paradigm”
(Vesna). Furthermore, UCLA professor Dr. James Gimzewski, who has research experience at IBM, describes nanotechnology as a “science that is concerned with
control of matter at the scale of atoms and molecules” (Gimzewski and Vesna). Even
though it is a daunting subject to study, Dr. Gimzewski helps simplify it by
showing us all the ways that nanotechnology affects all science and technology
nowadays.
One of the most prevalent examples of this idea that art helps explain science was displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. At this museum, UCLA’s own Nano scientists and media art experts joined forces to give people the opportunity to experience nanotechnology. Even though visitors cannot see nanotechnology, the exhibit made it possible for these people to sense it. For instance, visitors were able to experience what it feels like to move molecules and manipulate atoms. In this way, art helps contribute to nanotechnology by making this overwhelming subject a little more relatable and approachable. All in all, this week it was incredibly interesting to learn about the ways that art is able to collaborate with nanotechnology, even though they are viewed as two polar opposite subjects at first glance.
References:
Camara-Campos, Amaya. "Preserving Art at
the Nanoscale." Preserving Art at the Nanoscale. Royal School of
Chemistry, 7 July 2010. Web. 18 May 2015.
<http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemScience/Volume/2010/08/Preserving_art.asp>.
Lovgren, Stefan. "Can Art Make
Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?" National Geographic. National
Geographic Society, 23 Dec. 2003. Web. 18 May 2015.
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology_2.html>.
Online, UC, director. YouTube. YouTube,
YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE.
Online, UC, director. YouTube. YouTube,
YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE.
PBS News. “Nano: Where Art Meets Science” PBS.org. 18 Nov 2004 Web. 26 May 2019 http://www.pbs.org/newshour//bb/science/july-dec04/nano_07-16.html
Abigail, I also do not consider myself a "science person" either HAHA, but you do a darn good job of remaining open minded and intrigued by the topics!! I really want to visit the exibit you talked about at the LACMA and how people are able to feel/sense it because it is impossible to see. Gives the viewer a unique perspective!!
ReplyDeleteHello Abigail,
ReplyDeleteOne particular part of your blog immediately caught my eye: I found the same article you did in regards to the preservation of art using nanotechnology. Additionally, I never really saw nanoart as a way to explain nanotechnology to people, I always thought of it the other way around until you mentioned it in your post. Lastly, by chance do you know what the exact name of the exhibit you mentioned in your last paragraph is called? Overall wonderful insight!
Best,
Sebastian Haworth