Unit 9: Space + Art

Space and its mysteries has inspired the imagination of artists throughout history. As mentioned and iterated throughout this course, art can be used to bridge the divide of science and the public.

"Retro" Space Art imagines the future.

However, with scientific discoveries and research, the limits of what is possible keeps expanding. Living in space or other worlds is quickly becoming a feasible possibility. Artist and their imagination in pre-Sputnik society inspire the curiosity and demand to explore space. These artists helped push space exploration along.

NASA and other agencies might make "Retro" Space reality 

With the constant discoveries about space, it might seem that artists will be limited in their representation of space. However, space is so vast and the possibilities so endless, that the many imaginary guesses of artists are feasible. Space and its secrets is a great source of inspiration.

No matter what, Space can be gorgeously illustrated.

Source:
 Miller, Ron. "The History of Space Art." Space Art. 1978. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://dreamsofspace.nfshost.com/spaceart.htm>.  

Ashey, Rachel. "Exploring Space." Air Space Magazine. 28 February 2013. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.airspacemag.com/ist/?next=/space/the-real-reasons-we-explore-space-18816871/>

Gerrfor, Ed. "An Astounding History of Scientific Space Art." io9. 20 November 2014. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://io9.com/an-astounding-history-of-scientific-space-art-from-the-1660273208>

Hip, George. "Retro Future to Stars" Dark Roased Blen. 3 May 2008. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/11/retro-future-to-stars.html>

Unit 8: NanoTech + Art

Nanotechnology takes the idiom "more than meet your eye" to another step. Nanotechnology is technology at the individual atoms and molecules level. Our understanding of molecules and atoms is relatively new. It was only in 1897 that J.J. Thompson discovered the electron, which led him to create a "raisin pudding" model for the atom. 

Nanoscale devices are one hundred to ten thousand times smaller than human cells

Even though our understand of NanoTech is new, nano particles of various sizes are found in many products, from personal care to food. We have been using nano particles throughout history. For example, in stained glass. Artist discovered that adding small amounts of gold or silver into the glass could produce red or yellow colored glass

Medieval Stain Glass uses NanoTech

Nano particles are invisible to the naked eye. Yet it is the cutting edge of modern science. It is being used in everything from medicine to fashion. The possibilities are endless and exciting. Nanotech with its size can revolutionize our wold.   

Hydrophobic shirts are possible due to NanoTech

Sources:
"Nanoethics.org - The Ethics and Societal Impact of Nanotechnology." Nanoethics.org - The Ethics and Societal Impact of Nanotechnology. Web. 24 May 2015.

McCalley, Chris. "Age of Nanotechnology." National Cancer Institute. Web. 24 May 2015.

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt. 1." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=111&v=4OWc8nmHJmY>.

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt. 5." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=111&v=4OWc8nmHJmY>.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science." Web. 24 May. 2015. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

Unit 7: Neuroscience + Art

Despite all of scientific advancement and discoveries, the brain is still a mysterious thing. From consciousness to dreams, to decision making and memories, the brain can do so much. It controls our body, it processes our surrounding. No matter how powerful computers get, there are so many things that the brain can do that computers can't.

Is computer faster than the human brain?

Computers can calculate large sum, store lots and lots of information and do so much. Yet it some ways the brain is still superior. We can instinctively learn, we think and create. Art is a great example of the brain's capability.Abstract art does not reflect reality but exemplifies our perception of reality through shapes, forms and textures. Computers have no way to express perception. 

Picasso is a famous abstract artist. 

Most interestingly the brain can be forced to perceive the world in different ways. As mentioned in lecture, LSD, hallucinogens and drugs can mess with our minds. They affect our brains by effecting the way neurons are sent, received and processed. We are able to experience an alternate reality. It is amazing what our brain can do.

LSD can alter people's perception

Sources:

 Barnes, Martin. "Drugs and the Brain." - Live Well. 10 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015. "http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Dodrugsdamagebrain.aspx".

  

 Dvorsky, George. "8 Things We Simply Don't Understand About the Human Brain." Io9. 17 July 2013. Web. 15 May 2015. "http://io9.com/8-things-we-simply-dont-understand-about-the-human-brai-949442979".

 Halliday, Ayun. "This Is Your Brain on Jazz Improvisation: The Neuroscience of Creativity." Open Culture. 8 Dec. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015. 

 Karen Weintraub, Special for USA TODAY. "Brain a 'creativity Machine,' If You Use It Right." USA Today. Gannett, 9 Nov. 2013. Web. 15 May 2015. "http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/09/creativity-brain-science/3457735/".

 Singa, Andrew. "This Is Your Brain on LSD? Scientists Want to Find out." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 23 Mar. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015.  "http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lsd-scientists-crowdfunding-research-on-psychedelic-drug/"

Unit 6: BioTech +Art

Faux or Not? Real vs Fake Leather

Leather is a material made from the skin of animal by tanning or a similar process. Every year the global leather industry slaughters over one billion animals just for their skins. With ethical fashion, the use of leather is discouraged. Leather is seen as the by-product of animals living in the horror of unsustainable factory farming. However, leather is a great material. It is flexible, comfortable, durable and can be crafted into gorgeous pieces.

Victimless leather is grown from just cell cultures and polymer

BioTech and Art make Victimless Leather possible. By working with live tissue and scientific process, fashion designers can create a material that is grown from layers of tissue and polymer. It is basically the skin without the body.It is leather without the animal. This consumer product exhibits both cutting edge research and brings to question our exploitation of animals. 

Is the future of leather  a process where it is grown and cultivated?

This fake, but  real leather  does not solve the issue between faux or real leather. Growing victimless leather makes it still somewhat living. Thus, people are still force to confront the moral implication of wearing the product of something that was once living. This debate highlights the bigger issue with BioTech and Art. As mentioned in lecture and in Chris Kelty's "Meaning of Participation: Outlaw Biology". Biotechnology and art is a extremely provocative subject as demonstrated by this one example, but the ethical boundary of using living tissues as a medium is still blurry.

Sources:
"Victemless Leather." Victemless Leather. The Tissue Culture and Art Project. Web. 10 May 2015.  

Blackmore, Claire. "Leather: The Trend We Just Can't Get Enough Of." Marie Claire. 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 May 2015.

Derr, Mark. "Ban Fur? Then Why Not Leather?" The New York Times. 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 May 2015.

Kelty, Chris. "Meaning of Participation: Outlaw Biology?"

Miah, Andy. "Bioart Is Changing the World." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 May 2015.