Event 3

I think the film Contact was an artistic venture that successfully explored the unknown in regards to finding extraterrestrial life forms in space. As I discussed in my space blog post, art has seen several transformations in the past century and the film Contact is an example of when the people were fascinated about the potential of extraterrestrial life in outer space. Contact details with what would happen if we communicated with extraterrestrial life and how human would deal with such a problem. I thought this film did an excellent job of artistically exploring the differing interests involved in such a complex topic.

Scene from Contact

What I found especially interesting after watching this film was thinking about how films influence people's interests in space and science in general. As someone who grew up watching national geographic space films and tv shows which cultivated my interest in this subject, I could not help but think how science fiction films such as this one influenced people and was a launching point for people's interest in space. I feel this is one of the most important functions of art and feel personally attached becuase of the way art and film influenced my interests in the science all throughout my childhood. 

Cover of Cosmos, a show I watched as a kid on Nat Geo

Overall, while i found the film itself entertaining, I could not help but constantly thinking of the bigger picture of how media art influences future generations and brings attention to fields that would lack excitement and interest without the contributions of the arts. 

Simple cartoon illustrating how the art media can affect people

Aliana. How on Earth Are NASA Science and Art Related?, www.kennedyspacecenter.com/blog/how-on-earth-are-nasa-science-and-art-related.

Brody, David Sky. “Why Do We Love Space Movies?” Space.com, Space, 22 July 2016, www.space.com/31249-why-do-we-love-space-movies.html.

“Contact.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 11 July 1997, www.imdb.com/title/tt0118884/.

Ebert, Roger. “Contact Movie Review & Film Summary (1997): Roger Ebert.” Contact Movie Review & Film Summary (1997) | Roger Ebert, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-contact-1997.

Pendle, George. “The Slow, Tragic Death Of Space Art.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 11 Apr. 2017, www.atlasobscura.com/articles/space-art-propelled-scientific-exploration-of-the-cosmosbut-its-star-is-fading-fast.

Rosenberg, Alyssa. “Opinion | 20 Years after 'Contact' Came out, the Rest of Pop Culture Still Hasn't Caught Up.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Apr. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/07/11/20-years-after-contact-came-out-the-rest-of-pop-culture-still-hasnt-caught-up/.

Sheinman, Alex. “Alex Sheinman's Website.” Alex Sheinmans Website, 30 July 2014, sites.psu.edu/alexsheinman/2014/07/30/medias-effect-on-society/.

“Watch Cosmos: Possible Worlds TV Show - Streaming Online: Nat Geo TV.” National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/cosmos-possible-worlds. 

Week 9 Space + Art

 I think the most compelling piece of knowledge I gained about the combination of art and space is how art has always followed what the current trends of space knowledge were in past and still are. Back in the early 1900s when little was known about space one focus on space was the moon. Little was known about its formation or existence and this curiosity generated artistic ventures such as the movie "Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip to the Moon)" which was made in 1902. 

Moon landing scene from Le Voyage Dans La Lune

Much later after the first moon landing in 1969, the prospect of intergalactic travel was an intriguing concept for many and with this growing attention brought the idea of extraterrestrial life that could be discovered. This "greatly expanded the realm of science fiction" and lead to the creation of famous movies such as Star Wars and Star Trek, both revolving around a future world in which extraterrestrial life fight over controlling space and the universe. Not only did the moon landing change the nature of space films but it also massive exploded their popularity leading to tons of new artistic creations and masterpieces as "a new frontier opened when Apollo 11 landed". 

Award ceremony scene from Star Wars

Once again after many years pass and new information becomes available about extraterrestrial life not likely being encountered any time soon but the possibility of future interstellar travel being possible, the foundations of space film and art where once again changed in the 2010s. Films such as Interstellar set a new precedent for space films and art to be based around depicting the deep unexplored universe. 

Blackhole scene from Interstellar

Overall, I found it extremely interesting how art has followed the space culture throughout the past two centuries. I believe that this not only applies to the field of space but almost several other scientific fields but I found it especially applicable to space as there were clear examples that I was drawn to.

Bureaud, Annick. Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers, spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html.

Coyle, Jake. “The Moon Landing Was a Giant Leap for Movies, Too.” Phys.org, Phys.org, 12 July 2019, phys.org/news/2019-07-moon-giant-movies.html.

Dennis, Roger. “Why Would Anyone Invest in Interstellar Travel?” Scientific American Blog Network, Scientific American, 12 Sept. 2017, blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/why-would-anyone-invest-in-interstellar-travel/.

“From 1900 to 2013: The Evolution of Outer Space on the Big Screen.” TheJournal.ie, Business Insider, www.thejournal.ie/space-movies-film-history-1117934-Oct2013/.

“HD Wallpaper: Interstellar Voyage, Interstellar Movie Scene 720x1208px (480P) Free Download.” 720x1208px | Free Download | HD Wallpaper: Interstellar Voyage, Interstellar Movie Scene | Wallpaper Flare, www.wallpaperflare.com/interstellar-voyage-interstellar-movie-scene-wallpaper-tgqna/download/720x1208.

“How the Moon Landing Changed Hollywood Forever.” Hollywood – Gulf News, AP, 16 July 2019, gulfnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/how-the-moon-landing-changed-hollywood-forever-1.65200444.

“Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip To The Moon).” Into Film, www.intofilm.org/films/4290.

Moore, Trent. “An Original, Restored 35mm Print of Star Wars Has Been Leaked Online.” SYFY WIRE, SYFY WIRE, 25 Mar. 2019, www.syfy.com/syfywire/an-original-restored-35mm-print-of-star-wars-has-been-leaked-online.

Week 8 Nanotech + Art

Nanotech involves the science of the unseen, this makes it extremely difficult for people outside of this community to understand the importance for the continue of research into this field. Without something to touch or visualize in the field of nanotech is difficult for people to see the value in it entirely. This gap of understanding that is present can be solved by art. Models among other art forms can be used to make this incomprehensible field into a more simple understandable one. The problem with nanotech is that with a lack of physical creation it is difficult to get funding by people to continue its research but art and the creation of it in this field would make the field much more digestible to a more mainstream scientific community and encourage its funding. This is especially important because "nanotechnology works at a scale where biotech, chemistry, physics, electrical and mechanical engineering converge, and thus has real potential to impact every aspect of our lives". We cannot risk the potential of this field being "squashed by corporate, industrial and national interests". Art has the ability to crush the skepticism around such vital scientific field for the future and is needed for nanotech continuation.

Simple model of particles at the nano levels

Not only can art contribute to furthering nanotech but nanotech can also benefit the preservation of art. An innovation called nanodroplets has allowed people "to remove dirt and grime from wall and easel paintings". This new cleaning process was "used for the restoration of paintings in Brancacci Chapel in Florence, Italy" and was extremely successful in restoring the paintings. New nanotech called nano containers have also been developed in order to remove flaky paint off of paintings. Polymer coating is often applied to old artworks to preserve them but after long periods of time they wither away and become flaky, the nano containers "are very effective in interacting with the flaking polymer coating, and detaching them from the surface", cleaning and restoring the painting. Nanotech has also birthed a new field of art called nano art that expanded the known boundaries of art to its microscopic limits. This new art form gaining large traction and even having its own academy specially for nano art.

Before and after photo from a nano container restoration

Example of artwork from academy of NanoArt

Ultimately, art can be used for ensuring the continuation of nanotech funding and research through making it accessible to a wider audience while the advancement of nanotech has improved the techniques to preserve old artworks and pushes the limits on new artworks. Both art and nanotech are mutual beneficial and their coexistence is essential to their survival and improvement.   

“3D Nanotech Models .” TurboSquid, www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/nanotech.

Academy of NanoArt, nanoart.org/.

“Art for Science.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 7 May 2019, www.nature.com/articles/s41565-019-0459-1.

Feder, Barnaby J. “The Art of Nanotech.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008, bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science.

Sunipapramanik. “Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and Sciences.” Sustainable Nano, 12 May 2017, sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/.

Tate. “Nano What?: Nanotechnology, Contemporary Art and the NANORESTART Project at Tate.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/nanorestart/nano-what.

Week 7 Neurosci + Art

 One aspect of this week's material that really grabbed my attention was how "our ability to memorize things is such a luxury, but [we] pay little attention to it becuase it is natural to [us]". More specifically, how a loss of our brain tissue can contribute to the creation of art. Jon Sarkin is man who became an artist after suffering from a stroke that damaged his brain. The damage done to his brain made him comparable to brain development of a person suffering from autism. Although this tragic event disabled him, it also provided him with a new opportunity. With his brain trauma he became obsessed with art, his brain problems "makes him unable to stop drawing". His brain problems opened up a whole new side to his brain. I found it extremely interesting how brain development affects the artistic capacity of a person and how extreme changes to the brain can affect it as well. In this case Sarkin's creativity thrived after his stroke, but while so many people take for granted a fully function brain that allows them to artistically express themselves, there are people whose artistic expression is hindering by the health of their brain.

Jon Sarkin next to his work

I also found it intriguing how artists take on expressing consciousness. Salvador Dali is a pioneer of this from of expression, attempting to describe human subconsciousness and consciousness through his work. Additionally, "Frida Kahlo was a master at expressing her subconscious and conscious feelings in painting". The combination of neuroscience and art creates a new beautiful new art style based on expressing the human mind. Art is a medium used for the "expression of the potential wholeness of the human being" and understanding of the minds of others. Ultimately, the combination of neuroscience and art is a two way road. Art can be used to express the human mind and used to simplifying neuroscience and neuroscience has an effect on ones artistic expression. 

Salvador Dali's The Persistence of Memory 

Frida Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital

“Art and Consciousness: The Search for Clarity and Wisdom.” The Slender Thread, 30 May 2016, theslenderthread.org/art-and-consciousness/.

Bongco, John Philip. Week 7 Blog Psychology of Memory and Consciousness, 13 May 2021.

Heeseok, Lee. Brain Damage and Consciousness, 13 May 2021.

“Henry Ford Hospital - Frida Kahlo - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/henry-ford-hospital-frida-kahlo/kgHTa-02kVhHJA.

Lloyd, Tara. “The Persistence of Memory and Salvador Dalí's Contribution to Surrealism.” Singulart Magazine, 19 Mar. 2021, blog.singulart.com/en/2019/09/10/the-persistence-of-memory-and-salvator-dalis-contribution-to-surrealism/.

Nancy Sheehan, Correspondent. “Art by Jon Sarkin Spotlighted at Alternatives Gallery in Whitinsville through Dec. 29.” Telegram.com, Telegram.com, 9 Dec. 2017, www.telegram.com/entertainmentlife/20171209/art-by-jon-sarkin-spotlighted-at-alternatives-gallery-in-whitinsville-through-dec-29.

tvjersey. “Ledger Live - 12-09-08.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Dec. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJYoKV3nuzM.

Week 7: Consciousness and Beyond, 13 May 2021.

Event 2

I think the movie Gattaca did a great job of encapsulating the moral dilemmas that could occur as technology advances. Before this event, I had never really fully dived into the complicated nature of technology advancing to the levels of genetically modifying humans. Gattaca explores the role of genetically modified humans and how this would change the fabric of society.

Gattaca details the future divide between non-genetically modified humans and modified ones, giving modified ones more rights while subjecting the non modified people. The two class society illustrated in the movie reflects a potential danger with genetically modifying humans, it can create a class of humans that think they are superior that oppress the inferior. This plays out in the film as Vincent, becuase of his genetic shortcomings, is excluded from the upper tier of society. The film details how the artistic and scientific endeavour of creating "perfect" humans can lead to eugenics and ultimately the complete restructuring of society. 

While not all biotech and medtech innovations have such serious consequences, Gattaca does do an excellent job of illustrating the dangers of the very experimental side of bio and med tech. I believe this film connected seamlessly to the current course material, visualizing a lot of the course content that is difficult to grasp such as the ethical problems with letting technology develop without limits.

“Genetically Modified Babies? What next?!” Friends of the Earth Australia, www.foe.org.au/genetically_modified_babies.

“Genetically Modified Babies? What next?!” Friends of the Earth Australia, www.foe.org.au/genetically_modified_babies.

Week 6 Biotech + Art

The mixture of art and biotech is one often debated as it frequently comes with moral dilemmas. Biotech is often seen through the lense of being done for scientific innovation but a recent movement has been created that uses biotech to push the boundaries of artistic expression. Biotech has made living organisms an expressive medium for art which has brought upon ethical quarderies with it. 

Image illustrating the overlap between morals and biotech

I do not believe the question of valuing scientific industry/academia more or less than biotech can be shorted to an easily simplified answer. I think biotech should be valued highly in the scientific sense but little in the artistic sense. I do not mean to devalue the products of the combination of biotech and art but when the choice is between artistic expression and the potential to advance human livelihood I believe that biotech and science in combination is more valuable. Therefore, I think academia/industry should be valued over a mix of art and biotech but should either be valued the same or under the combination of science and biotech becuase of biotechs higher potential than academia/industry. 

An example of biotech vs industry

I believe art has a place in biotech involving "using biotech to demystify biotech", meaning that art can be used to illustrate the impact biotech experiments could have or what certain results could mean for the future. It also can be used to push the definitions of science, an example of this being how "some artists are challenging accepting classification of life." While using biotech to push the limits of art may be intriguing and beautiful, the alternative to spending time doing this are much more valuable to the advancement of human civilization than art. Arts true value in biotech belongs in making biotech digistable to the majority of unknowledgeable people and pushing the boundaries of science.

 The project named Augmented Fish Reality by Ken Rinaldo, one of the leading artists in the reclassification of life

“Biotech & Pharma Biomedical Career Opportunities in Industry - Ppt Video Online Download.” SlidePlayer, slideplayer.com/slide/5106009/.

“Ethics of Biotechnology.” Genomics & Social Life: RBGH, 17 Apr. 2010, rakabe.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/ethics-of-biotechnology/.

Fleerackers, Alice. “WORKS – Art's Work in the Age of Biotechnology.” Art the Science Blog, 6 May 2021, artthescience.com/blog/2020/01/07/works-arts-work-biotechnology/.

Hamilton, Kathryn. “Biotechnology: Humanity's Highest Art Form.” Medium, Bioeconomy.XYZ, 3 Apr. 2021, medium.com/bioeconomy-xyz/biotechnology-humanitys-highest-art-form-8d539cdde11a.

Levy, Ellen K. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.”

Miranda, Carolina A. “Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form.” ARTnews.com, ARTnews.com, 18 Nov. 2019, www.artnews.com/art-news/news/biotechnology-as-art-form-2184/.

Paul, Steffan. “Should You Go into Biotech or Academia?” Medium, Bioeconomy.XYZ, 16 Sept. 2020, medium.com/bioeconomy-xyz/should-you-go-into-biotech-or-academia-c58e5cc0a8d6.

Rinaldo, Ken. “Augmented Fish Reality.” Ken Rinaldo, www.kenrinaldo.com/portfolio/augmented-fish-reality/.

Event 1

The Origami Revolution Event was extremely interesting to me. As somebody who enjoys science and math, I thought the way the event illustrated the art of origami as a mathematical problem was intriguing. It also made this art concept much more comprehensible to me as I am someone who is better at math and science compared to the art and humanities. Before this event I never fully comprehended how much the arts can influence the sciences and math, but this event in my opinion was the perfect example of how these two fields can be combined to create meaningful innovations. This event really clarified the connection between these two fields. Scientists can harness the creativity explored in the arts to make technological advancements while artists can use mathematical concepts to create boundary pushing art. A great example of scientists using the arts came in the event when scientists were developing a space shield for a space telescope that uses folding techniques that are fundamental in origami.

This is the space shield built to block light for the space telescope

An example of an artist taking inspiration from mathematics is when two origami creators that are mathematicians seek to create a formula/program where any 3-D object can be made from folding a 2-D object.

This is the program that illustrates how to fold a 2-D paper into a 3-D object

These examples in the event where two that stuck with me and increased my understand of the connection between arts and science the most. I would highly advice this event to anyone wondering what event to choose between, especially for those who are more science and math oriented than art. I think this event is a great way for people who do not normal pay close enough attention to the art to see the value in art. This event certainly had this effect on me.

“The Origami Revolution.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 16 Feb. 2017, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/the-origami-revolution/.