Event 3: This is the End by Ed Atkins

This art exhibit in the Hammer museum was comprised of three artists: Loretta Fahrenholz, Tommy Hartung and Ed Atkins. I was able to view Ed Atkins’ video work, Even Pricks. This video exhibition was held in a huge dark room that had projected the video with two bean bags on the floor. This had made viewing the video highly comfortable which I think contrasts the purpose of his video. According to the description of his video work, his video relates to the “idea of depression-both physical and psychological-to the immaterial surfaces of images” (Hammer 2015). His video did have not a plot or storyline; they consisted of random images that mainly consisted of the thumb. The video would present a thumb in various angles and motions. Additionally this thumb that he would present would be seen poking different parts of the human body. For example, in one part of the video it had poked an eye out. There would also be random images of chimpanzees that would make various facial expressions throughout the video. I could not really relate or comprehend what was going on in these videos. Rather I just took what I saw as it is while I was watching this video.

Taking into account the purpose of his video, I think it was intended to provoke various emotions a depressed individual might experience yet not having the ability to express one’s self which depressed people may be incapable of doing. Therefore I think this exhibit was more about experience rather than aesthetics, which we have learned some artists have done in this course. Some have had open surgeries in order to have the experience be the actual art, and I think that is what Ed Atkins attempts to do. The feeling of not knowing how to feel about what you’re watching is the art that he intends to portray.

Citation:

Schedule. (n.d.). Retrieved June 4, 2015, from http://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/2015/hammer-projects-this-is-the-end/

Week 9: Space Exploration and Art

This week’s topic takes us into a field with much interest and curiosity, space. Although the NASA program has experienced recent cutbacks, there is still much exploration and research being done in the field of space exploration. Not only does space exploration allow us to discover new worlds it also develops our technology as well. Therefore we are discovering new technological advancements as we further push the envelope for space exploration. We have to further learn new technological ways to travel to various planets and parts of our galaxy.

We learned how minuscule humans are when taking into consideration the size of the galaxy. We saw through the “power of 10” how small we are compared to earth and the rest of the planets, and it takes a microscopic level to focus on us at a specific geographical location (Marlow 2014). Even on planet earth there are remote areas that still need development and research and the Arctic is a great example. The extreme weather and climate makes it a highly inhabitable place, therefore the Arctic Perspective Initiative is attempting to create a communication system in order to make it a more livable place (Arctic Perspective Initiative 2008).

The Cultural Space Programme is an example that is expanding the field of space but most importantly pushing the boundary of the third culture that was presented earlier in this course (KSEVT 2005). The artists that perform in these space like environments have found a new medium in which they can express themselves. Also, they are recreating the image of space. One typically thinks of space as strictly a scientific field with no room for arts or humanities. However this organization shows us there is much room for other fields other than science. This week is a reminder that there are different ways and fields in which one can express their creativity.

Citation:

"ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE." ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE. 

  Web. 31 May 2015.< http://arcticperspective.org/>.

"Apollo 11." Space. WordPress, 2 Nov. 2010. Web. 31 May 2015.

<https://historyofspacetravel.wordpress.com/test/apollo-11/>.

"Cultural Space Programme." KSEVT. KSEVT. Web. 31 May2015.

<http://www.ksevt.eu/2015/?page_id=1849>.

Marlow. "An Eames Office Website." Powers of Ten Blog. 10 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 May 2015.

 <http://blog.powersof10.com/>.

Event 2: Singular Spaces: From the Eccentric to the Extraordinary in Spanish Art Environments

This photographic art exhibit in the Fowler Museum by Jo Farb Hernandez captures the interesting works of various architects across the country of Spain. There are various forms of architecture that major buildings throughout the United States reflect. For example, the newly built Freedom Tower in New York City represents a modern style of architect called light architecture. In contrast the Walt Disney Concert Hall here in Los Angeles represents deconstructivism. This style of architecture is centered around the idea that buildings should not be logical. Therefore there is no beginning, middle or end to buildings and we see that with the way the Disney Concert Hall was design. The sporadic geometric shapes make the building highly appealing.

I believe the works of these architects that were captured through photography can be categorized under deconstructivism. Before viewing these photos, I read the quick summary of the works and I was expecting to view normal houses and skyscrapers. However, when I started to go through the gallery I was caught off guard. The houses and building looked like giant art sculptures and installations with no practicality. A lot was going on when I was looking at these buildings and I could not focus on these buildings as a whole like normal buildings. Rather I had to look at specific parts of the buildings because there was so much detail within them.

The architects of these buildings added to the cultural aspect of the city and arguably have created a new one. There’s a distinct and unique style that these buildings portray and with this distinct image the surrounding area will be known for it.

Event 1: Making Strange: Gagawaka + Postmortem by Vivan Sundaram

Making Strange was a great exhibition in the Fowler Museum that pertains to one of the main themes of the course, expanding the mediums of art. Vivan Sundaram uses various materials to produce dress wear, but the materials that are being used are not the same material that one would typically think of. She does not use expensive threads and fabrics to produce these articles of clothing, but she uses materials such as foam, balls and sponges to create these interesting articles of clothing. Items that are used for different tasks and functions are redefined within her work to be looked under one perspective, fashion. Therefore what we see is no longer how much fun a bouncy ball can be or how sponges are meant to absorb and clean things. Rather we see these objects and their functions as mediums used for fashion to recreate loud and interesting pieces.

One of my favorite pieces was what seems to be a head piece made out of bright pink and yellow bouncy balls. I thought it was interesting how the regular spherical shape of the balls were also recreated to form a spherical head piece which was also aesthetically pleasing.

Throughout the course we have learned how certain scientific functions and products have been recreated to become art pieces.  For example, the albino bunny was created through the injection of acqura victoria, a protein found in fluorescent jellyfish, to make the bunny glow in the dark. Eduardo Kac’s then argued that this bunny had become an art piece. Here we see how even living creates are being redefined.

Nanotech and Art

This week’s topic of nanotechnology has been my favorite in terms of the science aspect and its application. As mentioned in lecture nanotechnology can be found in every aspect of our life, from the clothes that we wear to the food that we consume. The most important message I received from the lectures and readings is the fact that nanotechnology has broaden the areas in which one can explore and discover. It’s a new field for scientists to discover and a new medium for artists to work with. The Leonardo Space Art Project Working group invokes us to go outside the box (Levrier 1996). The individuals within this project remind us that we need to broaden areas in which we work in and they are pushing the boundaries to space.

Nanotechnology is improving many areas of life and one of them being the medical field. We have learned that nanodrugs have decreased the toxicity of certain drugs making them useful once again. Nanoparticles are making blood clots visible by identifying a protein called fibrin which is commonly associated with blood clots (Nanowiki 2011). Additionally new nano-based tools are being created in order combat various diseases (Nano wiki 2011).

One of the most interesting topics within the nanotech field is taking nature, animals and plants, and mimicking their properties and recreating them through nanotechnology. The example brought up was the lotus flower and recreating the run off of water onto other daily objects we use such as mirrors. Nanoparticles are found in other animals such as snakes which make them slippery. The ability to use properties of nature and recreate them in everyday objects can be endless. 

Citation:

Fischer, Jonas. "Heat Treating with Nanoparticles Has Arrived - The Heat Is On." The Heat Is On. 20 June 2014. Web. 21 May 2015. < http://www.bakerfurnace.com/blog/heat-treating-nanoparticles-arrived/>.

Levrier, Guy. "Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers." Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers. MIT Press. Web. 21 May 2015.< http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html>.

"Financing a Space Business - GeekWire." GeekWire. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://www.geekwire.com/calendar-event/financing-a-space-business/>.

"June 2015." Discover Magazine. Discover, 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://discovermagazine.com/galleries/zen-photo/a/amazing-animal-nanostructures>.

"New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." NanoWiki. 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BNew%20nanoparticles%20make%20blood%20clots%20visible%5D%5D> .

"Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip as Medical Diagnostic Tool." NanoWiki. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BProgrammable%20Bio-Nano-Chip%20as%20Medical%20Diagnostic%20Tool%5D%5D>.

The complexity of the brain and the physical and mental experience it is capable of creating is still an area that needs much studying. As we have learned from lecture, many scientists have experimented on the effects of external drugs and factors on individuals. Freud and Albert Hofmann have used banned drugs to experiment on the mental toll it takes on an individual. However today, we are starting to broaden what we look at and study when it comes to the mind. In the article by Judy Lin, she presents the idea of how religion and other theologies influence the well-being of the mind to ultimately improve medical conditions (2011). The use of medical drugs will no longer be the main remedy for mental illnesses. We have seen the works of previous scientists come into light within today’s society as well. In Swann’s Hypothesis, we learn how the experience of our other senses highly dictates how long and vivid a memory will last within us (Max 2007).

As a reoccurring theme within this course, the positive correlation between science and art shows the bright future within this field. The Brainbow shows us an amazing scientific feat by distinguishing various neurons by using fluorescent proteins. Not only is this scientifically beneficial for scientist but at a surface level glance it is visually stimulating.  

With the creation of many films presenting the idea of artificial intelligence, I think it shows the future of what many scientists and artists are starting to work and focus on. Artificial intelligence within many of these films are capable of learning at rapid pace but most importantly capable of thinking on their own. They are able to understand humans and are able to reciprocate actions. Hopefully with many people pushing the boundaries of neuroscience we will see significant advancements in this field.

Citations:

Arnsten, Amy. "Considering Neuroscience in Business." Route to Greatness. Whitepapers, 18 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 May 2015.< http://routetogreatness.com/neuroscience-in-business/>.

Hewitt, John. "Mapping the Entire Brain with New and Improved Brainbow II Technology." Mapping the Entire Brain with New and Improved Brainbow II Technology. Medical Express, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 May 2015.< http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-11-entire-brain-brainbow-ii-technology.html>.

Lin, Judy. "Neuroscientist Helps pace Way for Dalai Lama's Visist." UCLA Newsroom. UCLA, 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 17 May 2015.< http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/lopsang-rapgay-192875>.

Max, D.T. "Swann’s Hypothesis." The New York Times. The New York Times, 3 Nov. 2007. Web. 17 May 2015.< http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html?_r=0>.

"Research." SU Engineering Computer Science. Web. 17 May 2015.< http://eng-cs.syr.edu/research/artificial-intelligence>.

Jens Hauser, a Paris-based curator, had said that “bio-art isn’t simply about creating metaphorical representations of scientific concept, it’s about using actual scientific techniques: creating hybrids and manipulating live organisms” (Miranda 2007). We are starting to see a shift from aesthetics to focusing on the actual practice within the art world and this is more evident with biotech and art. Jen Hauser additional mentions that the new medium within art is starting to become biotechnology.

However, although there is a shift occurring I don’t think that humans should be using life and nature as a new medium to express their creativity. There is a fine line when using and life and nature. Other organisms use other life forms in order to live, and that occurs within all species. Leaf cutting ants use plants to produce fungi they need in order to live and we as human plant produce in order to live (Munger 2010). Although there is debate around genetic modification of produce, at the end of the day they have good intentions that I believe are not entirely harmful. Making vegetable and fruits larger can significantly reduce how much we spend on produce annually and save us a lot of money, but using life to express creativity is where I believe we draw the line.

As presented in lecture by Professor Vesna, there are many artists today who are using life to push the boundaries of art and creativity. The artist Orlan had created a blanket out of bacteria and we see 3D implanting by Stelarc. I think that such art projects push the boundary too far and it is arguably if they are benefiting to society or not.

On the other hand, with such extreme art projects occurring there has to be some positivity out of them. Stelarc’s third ear can relate to recent research in tissue regeneration. With the skin healing over an unnecessary implant, it shows the capabilities of our body and gives research an insight on how our skin functions and interacts with the environment in order to heal itself. By using his project, researchers can look into fibroblast cells (Ericson 2010).

Bibliography:

Ericson, John. "Study Reveals Body's Secret To Skin Regeneration, Rejuvenation." Medical Daily. 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.medicaldaily.com/study-reveals-bodys-secret-skin-regeneration-rejuvenation-what-fibroblast-cells-can-teach-us-about>.

Miranda, Carolina. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/>.

Munger, Dave. "Seed Magazineabout." Agriculture in the Wild § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/agriculture_in_the_wild/>.

"Biotech Art - We Make Money Not Art." Biotech Art - We Make Money Not Art. 9 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/biotech_art/index.php?page=9>.

"Biomimetic Peptides: The Most Innovative and Intelligent Way to Regenerate Your Skin - Sha Magazine." Sha Magazine. 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://shawellnessclinic.com/shamagazine/en/biomimetic-peptides-the-most-innovative-and-intelligent-way-to-regenerate-your-skin/> .

"Ear on Arm, Stelarc at the Media Gallery." FluxMedia Ear on Arm Stelarc at the Media Gallery Comments. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.fluxnetwork.net/ear-on-arm-stelarc-at-the-media-gallery/>.