Event 3: LACMA

LACMA, one of the must see places in Los Angeles, is almost always symbolized by the white lamps at the front of the museum. However, I went to LACMA not only to take pictures with those lamps, but also to explore the inside of the museum, which is said to contain over 100,000 pieces of art from different cultures throughout the globe. During my visit to the many exhibits at the museum, I realized just how art and science can connect to another, especially in robotics and art.

LACMA ticket

Throughout the quarter, we talked about how art and technology complemented each other. One of the pieces of art that greatly stood out to me was The Golem, otherwise known as "animated anthromorphic beings."

Golem, by Hugo Prag 1915

Although it may appear that this work of art may have no connection to robotics and art, I believe that the author of this painting, Hugo Prag, was trying to suggest the idea of a robot by bringing an inanimate object to life. Ever since the creation of human beings, people have started using their imagination to create supernatural animals. Since then, I believe that artwork and other portrayals of supernatural beings have led to the development and creation of a robot. This artwork demonstrates Professor Vesna's point of how art inspires science, by allowing for the development of a robot. This also exhibits how with the development of technology, people have opted to create the idea of a robot, instead of drawing paintings of imaginary objects. Ultimately, the relationship between art and science works both ways.

I also found the Contemporary Art Exhibit of the museum to be quite interesting, as I noticed how different all the pieces of art were compared to other exhibits. One of the works I found most interesting was Agnes Varda's "My Shack of Cinema," a one-story walk in structure with walls and roofs made out of 35 millimeter film strips.

"My Shack of Cinema"

I thought that her shack really captures the beauty of the outside world in general, but also her passion for filmmaking and life. I believe that Varda's work demonstrates the relationship between nanotechnology and art nowadays, and how artists often combine their works of art with something else that they take great interest in.

One can truly see the connection between technology and art in this museum. I really enjoyed my visit to LACMA, because it is pretty close to UCLA, and there's just an endless amount of exhibits and artworks that you can visit. They offer discounts for students all the time, and you can always take your Facebook profile Picture at the trademark lights! :D

Me at the lights: