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:

Event 2: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

On October 19, my friends and I went to the Natural History Museum as my second event, which unfortunately is located right near USC. We even faced some hostility as we presented our student IDs when the cashier said "We all know who is the better school!" Word of caution: UCLA students at this museum should be prepared for some sneaky remarks from Trojans. Despite this encounter though, I have always been quite interested and intrigued in nature and especially dinosaurs, and so I was very excited for this event! 

In front of the dinosaur!

Our first impression as we walked through each of the exhibits was that even the areas that I had no interest in were full of scientific facts and artistic practices. My favorite portion of the museum was the Gem and Mineral Hall, since it was one of the most beautiful parts of the museum. Here, hundreds upon hundreds of gems were skillfully displayed in a lightly lit room with historical and scientific information. To think that every one of these gems were created naturally from earth really demonstrates how besides the art created by the various forms of technology we learned in this class, art can also be created through natural means. 

Gem and Mineral Exhibit

However, I also spent a great deal of time in the "Becoming Los Angeles" exhibit, which explains L.A.'s 240 year journey from the golden hills of California to the reason Hollywood became the center of the entertainment industry. I felt like the section really pertained to this course because it exhibited the role of robotics and industrialization and how it played a role in the growth and identity of L.A. For instance, in Week 3 of this course, we learned about Henry Ford and his role in making cars relatively cheaper from the common people through the assembly line. I learned through the exhibit that although Ford came up with this idea of the assembly line, it was Hollywood that played a role in promoting cars as a "must have" family item. At the museum, there was a box car for films, in which the directors could shoot the actors while running a movie driving cars in the background. Through the use of films and the box car, Hollywood was able to affect the perception of masses of the American population about affordable cars. 

After experiencing all the different sights and sounds of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, I realized the importance of Robotics and Art. By merely shooting films on cars, a new era was born in Los Angeles, and therefore establishing Hollywood as the premier center of the entertainment industry. Furthermore, the gallery of minerals also reveals the clash of two cultures as mentioned in lecture 1, because although one would label gems as a product of scientific processes, gems are also works of art. Going to this museum really made me appreciate art a lot more. I would definitely recommend visiting this Natural History Museum to enrich your knowledge of the history of Los Angeles and minerals!

Other photos: 

Ticket to the Museum

My best version of not impressed

Friendly Photographer

Event 1: The Getty Museum

One lazy Sunday during this quarter, my friends and I decided to go to the Getty Museum, since we had never been there before. I would often see the Getty Museum Tram in commission when I was passing by on the 405 South, and so I was definitely looking forward to my experience at the Getty. The first thing we did when we arrived at the Getty by taking the bus from UCLA was to take the tram. Here is a wonderful view of LA from the tram:

Upon arriving at the actual museum, the entire structure was really beautiful and breathtaking, so we all decided to take a picture in front of one of the many galleries.

When we finally did go inside the pavilions after eating lunch, I was actually really surprised at the inclusion of the computer-based search system for the artwork. We could now go to onto the computer on the top floor of one of the galleries, and view what artwork has been preserved and what it actually takes to preserve these pieces of art. This really reminded me about one of the very first lectures, which talked about the intersection between art and science. One of the most important things about technology in art is that it is very hard to preserve artwork without technology. Technology has definitely been used to understand how preservation works and what substances are needed to maintain the integrity of the artist's creation. It is quite amazing to see how museums have moved towards digital databases and catalogs in order to better help viewers understand the artwork.

Furthermore, I was also quite intrigued about pictures taken by a famous Japanese photographer, Kansuke Yamamoto, who was a famous surrealist photographer and a poet in the early 1900s.

I liked these pieces of artwork because I thought they were greatly related to science, although in a weird way. Screws are such an integral part of anything we see today; by combining screws with the beautiful colors of art, this artwork really demonstrated the connection between artwork and technology. Technology has truly influenced art to develop and evolve throughout time.

The Getty Museum is such an amazing place, in that it can capture and hold so many memories, and do it in such an aethestically pleasing manner. If given the time and chance, I would definitely recommend visiting the Getty, and taking pictures of the scenery is a must! After all, pictures are memories!

More photographs:

Space+Art

Space and Art, which is this week's topic, made it quite easy for me to understand the relationship between space and art comparing to other topics that we have discussed before. As Professor Vesna states during the lecture, this topic connects all robot, technology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology into one lecture. The future of space technology has always captivated me, since it was only one hundred years ago that the Wright brothers made flight possible for humans. It is quite amazing how technology has allowed men to traverse previously unexplored boundaries, and at such a fast rate too! 

Wright Brother's First Airplane

Not only has space technology intrigued scientists, but also artists as well, resulting in many works of art, such as the movie E.T. and the Dancing on the Ceiling exhibition. In the movie E.T, artists and scientists alike use their great imaginations and minds to create a story that chronicles the journey of a boy who helps an alien go back home. Watching E.T. no doubt inspired me to become a scientist as a child, and hopefully the movie will continue to inspire many more minds in the future to revolutionize space travel. The thought of space travel becoming a reality is so exciting; space travel has definitely gotten more and more plausible. I can only hope that in the future that I personally will be able to experience space travel. It is due to scientists and artists who have incorporated the creativity of TV/film into works of art that have no doubt propelled space technology itself. 

E.T. Film (1982)

Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity held by EMPAC also embodies artist's and scientist's interest in space, specifically gravity. It is an exhibition in which "contemporary artists explore the condition of weightlessness on earth."In other words, by violating all the traditional artwork that follows the physics of gravity, all the artwork in the exhibition will bring all viewers to a weightless world. This piece of artwork really shows how artists often use science to inspire and formulate new ideas about their projects. 

Dancing On the Ceiling:Art and Zero Gravity

From the examples of E.T. and the exhibition above, we can see that the space age that we are currently living in has fostered so much imagination and creativity. It has virtually allowed for boundless possibilities, and demonstrates how art and space complement each other. A fitting end to the course, I really cannot wait to see how art and space can be even more intertwined in the future. 

 Citations:

“Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity at EMPAC.” Art & Education. N.p.. Web. 30 Nov 2013. <http://www.artandeducation.net/announcement/dancing-on-the-ceiling-art-zero-gravity-at-empac/>.

Goldstein. E.T: The Extra-Terrestial. 1982. New York Film Institute, New York. Derek Winnert. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

NASA. Parts of An Aircraft. 2007. Glenn Research Center, Houston. NASA. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2O5C0Iv6ROo#>  

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 5. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WnSUHMXBmdg#>

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

Because I currently work at CNSI as an undergraduate researcher, I can really relate to this week's lecture about nanotechnology. However, even though I am aware of the boundless applications of nanotechnology to medicine, I was quite astonished to find out that nanotechnology can has also led to advancements in art, as seen in the Nano-Scape. 

A beautiful image of California Nanosystems Technology(CNSI) is shown above, and it is home to many of the world's strongest and modern microscopes, including the STEM, cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and AFM microscopes. A link of the Titan Krios microscope constructed by FEI in CNSI and assembled by my research advisor: http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup. 

Massive advancements in medicine has allowed for for massive growth in nanotechnology. One such application can be seen in the research of how nanotechnology from diesel exhaust and damage lung airway cells. As diesel exhaust particles, a major part of urban smog, deliver organic chemicals onto the cilia on our lungs, researching ways to combat this growing problem, especially in suburban areas, could greatly benefit humans. This finding could eventually lead to new therapies for people susceptible to the disease. Shown below are the diesel exhaust particles, consisted of a carbon core and coated with organic chemicals and metals.

Diesel Exhaust Particles

On the other hand, nanotechnology has also paved the way for advancements in art. Through the process of microscopic manipulations, the Nano-Scape, shown below, allows people to experience the nano-world touch by utilizing magnetics. The magnetic field creates constantly shifting forces, which is stimulated by movements from the user's hands that cause all the atoms in the array to interact in a constant readjustment of their proximity to one another. This constant movement allows for users of the Nano-Scape to create an ever "changing invisible sculpture."

Nano-Scape

Professor Gimzewski notes in this week's lecture that one of the most impactful ways of using nanotechnology is through medicine. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, as most of the time with our bodies, we don't know something is actually wrong with our bodies until we go to the doctor. But at the same time, using nanotechnology for art also allows us to experience art in another dimension and at another scale. 

Citations:

Dawkins, Urszula. "realtime 96." RealTime Arts. N.p., 30 May 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.realtimearts.net/article/96/9816>.

Feinknopf, Brad. Suspended Walkways at CNSI. 2007. Vinoly's CNSI, University of Los Angeles California. The Architect's Newspaper. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

"Findings on Pollution Damage to Human Airways Could Yield Novel Therapies." - DukeHealth.org. Duke University, 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. 

<http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/findings-on-pollution-damage-to-human-airways-could-yield-novel-therapies?utm_source=dukehealth.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS_news>.

"Nanotech Jim pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE>.

Sommerer, Christa . Nano-Scape. 2010. John Curtin Gallery, Australia. Art in the Age of NanoTechnology. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Zhou, Hong. "The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines." The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines. N.p., 10 Aug. 2006. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup>.

Neuroscience+Art

This week's topic explored Neuroscience and Art, and how scientists have developed neuroscience by exploring the unconscious and the conscious. I have now become even more aware of the effects that the world around us has on our consciousness and brain activity. Hallucinogenic drugs or graphic movies demonstrates how our mind is capable of such fascinating extraordinary things. 

Our Human Brain

Physicist Roger Penrose once stated, "Compared to the complexity of the brain, a galaxy is just an inert lump."The comparison of the galaxy to our brain is pictured left. Even today, humans have yet to map out exactly how the brain works. This touches upon the concept of phrenology, which is based on finding out about personality through analysis of skull shape. Professor Vesna states that it was believed that each portion of the brain controlled a certain specific skill one was exceptional at. Her statement really interested me the most, because I believe that it definitely makes sense when looking at people's abilities in general. Below a phrenology model is shown: 



Our brain's ability to react in unusual ways when we see, hear, taste, or feel things that frighten us is depicted in the Amygadaloid's music video. Even though our brain merely adapted these instincts for survival, it is truly remarkable how our neurons can create such vivid emotions in our brain and react by warning us of possible danger. The Amygdaloids's passion for music and neuroscience at the same time really demonstrates to us the complexity of the human brain. 


Lastly, when dealing with drugs such as LSD or cocaine, scientists have recently mapped out the alteration in the chemistry of our brains when taking LSD or cocaine. These drugs can create vibrant colors and objects that actually do not exist in reality, and can enhance or embellish our perception of life simply by changing the chemical make up of our brains. I believe that this is an instance when science and art crosses paths, and below is an image of how a drug affects our brains and neurons: 

I believe that this weeks' topic is so important to us because we use our brain every single second of the day, even when we sleep. Our brains control every motion we make and also every thought we think. The application of art to neuroscience can be expressed in so many ways, from brainbow to phrenology, or even incorporating drugs to create a psychadelic experience. We are now only beginning to understand the psychological implications of many of these things on a scientific level. I am looking to future studies, which may start new forms of art in this field.



Citations: 

Brain On Drugs. N.d. Photograph. Brain On Drugs. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ii-rTeu2ft9UmykK8nA0dmtqjVVeRiyJECzYa_tYNZqbkqsOb1o73Tmy-veJ5TqlfaZSo7aoZ-CeAjSrtT_SDSa7QniUHf0nifLvzoj13n8tvNN1vVnaMpCEJKNoIgi53Mna4ZHwYapC/s1600/BrainOnDrugs.jpg>.

Lienhard, John H. "No. 2148 American Phrenology." Engines of Our Ingenuity. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2148.htm>.

Neuron. N.d. Photograph. Creative Biology. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://creativebiology.blogspot.com/2010/02/neurons-and-on-being-science-nrrd.html>.

"The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech." 'The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech'. Leverhulme Trust, 15 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. 
<http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/05/more-complex-than-a-galaxy-new-insights-into-the-human-brain.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience and Art Lecture. UCLA Online. Web.

Images of BioTech

This week's lecture really taught me how biotechnology can not only be used for stem cells in medicine, but also a form of human expression. While the lecture really allowed me to explore something I had never thought of before, I also felt quite uncomfortable and disturbed at some of the images of bioart. This included Stelarc's Third Ear, which consisted of a full sized human ear inserted in his left arm as an implant. 

Stelarc, a legendary Australian performance artist, used a skin expander to create excess skin on his left forearm. His Arm in Ear Project began in 2006, and since then, he is still perfecting the shape using stem cells and surgery to make the ear more prominent. 

 Pictures from the procedure can be seen above. Seeing Stelarc's arm really grossed me out, and left me wondering what was the motivation behind this artistic expression. Upon learning that his motivation was to suggest an improved human being, I really started to question whether or not this type of artistic expression was even justified. 

However, other examples such as the Revival Field really sparked my interest in this field.

The Revival Field began as a conceptual artwork with the intent to sculpt a site's ecology, in order to promote greater social awareness and responsibility. Mel Chin's work led him to collaborate with scientists and government agencies in order to create natural work that transcends traditional sculpture. I feel like this project really materialized science, technology, and art, while not adhering to the traditional object of making art. 

In summary, I believe that most of my disturbance at this week's lecture came from its motivation. I believe that life itself is a valid expressive medium, but at the same time, we have to balance ethical standards and practices with scientific and artistic values. If the art's motivation is to purely invoke thought and wonder, like the Third Ear, I feel like the art is unjustified. On the other hand, if the artwork is motivated by empathy and a greater sense of common good, the art is definitely more justifiable. I also believe that there should be limits to human creativity. Although people have their own rights to decide what to do with their bodies, seeing a human ear in one's arm does not sound like art to me. 

Citations:

"Regulating Biotechnology: At the Interface between Science And Ethics." Ethics Technology and Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://ethicstechnologyandsociety.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/regulating-biotechnology-at-the-interface-between-science-and-ethics/>.

"Stelarc’s Third Ear." Street Anatomy. N.p., 4 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://streetanatomy.com/2012/06/27/stelarcs-third-ear/>.

Sellers, Nina. Stelarc's Third Ear. 226. Museum of Natural Art, Australia. Street Anatomy. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.

Stelarc. "Stelarc // Ear on Arm." Stelarc.org. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

Summers. http://blogs.walkerart.org/visualarts/files/2008/03/revival-field-1991-943.jpg. 2008. Walker Art Center, Minnesota. Walker Art Center. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.