darionphanDESMA9

  The discussion of science fiction as a genre influenced my understanding of space and art the most out of all the provided sources. It’s not so much as what space is rather than what we believe space can be. Space elevators, the launch of Sputnik, as well as science fiction novels talk about space as an unexplored frontier full of mystery, opportunity, and hope. When Sputnik was launched, it frightened American society which led to the reforming of our education system from a focus of rote memorization to a specialization in applied sciences (Roos). Fig. 1 The Martian , 2015.  For example, take the science fiction novel (that was later adapted into a film) The Martian by Andy Weir that depicts the journey of a botanist stranded on Mars. It helped to popularize science and inspired a generation of learners who are interested in space exploration (Alter). The numbers speak for themselves with the film grossing $630 million dollars (Box Office Mojo).  Fig 2. NASA, Nasa P...

  The lectures by Dr. Gimzewski were very informative. They went into detail about the history of nanotechnology. Although they did not specifically touch on many art projects based on nanotechnology, they provided the foundation for understanding the art that could come out of nanotechnology. Fig 1. IBM in Nanoparticles , 1990. For example, take Richard Feynman’s challenge to write 25,000 pages of an encyclopedia on the head of a pin (New Scientist). Although the challenge to do the above task didn’t directly create art, it established that art on that scale was possible.  Fig 2. Varanasi et. all, Water on a Butterfly Wing, 2013. Another interesting thing that can come about nanotechnology is the replication of biological characteristics in animals like butterflies. Butterfly wings are special because they have specific nanostructures that allow the wing to reflect light at specific wavelengths or appear transparent (jayaborgatta). Fig 3. Beanie made with nanotechnology, 201...

  The problem of microplastics and pollution is usually tackled in a scientific context but Jessica Irish tackled it with an artistic lens. Projects like The Ocean Cleanup utilize engineering and create solutions to reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean, but Irish uses film as a medium to express why that goal is so important (The Ocean Cleanup).  Fig 1. Plastic in Human Hands, 2021. Irish’s film This Mortal Plastik (2021) not only informs the viewer of the problems plastics pose to the world, it creates an ambiance that forces the viewer to reflect on their daily usage of plastic. Irish uses the image of an empty plastic container in the hands of a person to show that this is a problem that is all around us. Very few Americans have not touched a disposable plastic container and this image poses the question “how many of these have you thrown away”? Combined with the images of the dead animals in nets, it coalesces into a motivation that gets the viewer to internally refle...

  Fig 1. Brainbow, Lichtman and Sanes, 2007. I thought the ‘Brainbow’, as seen above, was pretty cool because it highlighted each individual neuron (Harvard Brain Tour). I’m in PSYCH 15 (an introductory psychobiology class) and we’ve always discussed neurons, but I’ve never seen a picture of a neuron. I’ve only seen artists’ depictions of neurons. We were told there were billions of neurons in our brains, so it’s cool seeing what we studied.  Another thing I thought during the lectures and readings was the idea of determinism, or the idea that humans don’t have free will (Horne). If determinism is correct, then the art artists produce is just a function of everything the artist did rather than being an expression of the artist’s self. That's why I’m in the camp that determinism isn’t correct. If that is true, then the art artists produce is entirely theirs and is an expression of the artist. Although it wouldn’t take away from the art’s impact on others, I feel like there is s...

  I don’t believe that the lives of other animals is a valid artistic medium. Inserting genes and causing an animal to feel unnecessary suffering just to make an artistic statement feels…wrong. Scientific experimentation on animals has a greater reason behind the suffering which justifies it more than art. Art may provoke intense reactions in people and cause them to consider perspectives they haven’t considered before, but there are other mediums that can be used to achieve that same effect without needlessly harming animals. For example, take these bioluminescent mice (Kubota). Fig 1. Bioluminescent Mice, 2017. They are being used to advance genetics-related research. Without using them, we could be harming humans so it is a necessary sacrifice. I would disagree with creating these mice if it were just for an art project because it doesn’t really make a statement that couldn’t be made with a different medium. Fig 2. Victoria Vesna, Lecture 5 bioart pt1 1280x720, 2013. However, th...

I don’t have any experience with medical technologies other than taking x-rays at the dentist. However, I’ve always found hearing implants interesting.  Fig 1. Cochlear Implant. I don’t personally know anyone with hearing implants, but the idea of sending audio directly to the nerve that contacts the brain is really fascinating (Mayo). It’s like glasses in the sense that we’ve bypassed our natural aging process to restore one of our senses. A pattern I’ve noticed is that there is a lot of focus on curing a disease rather than preventing it. Other than polarized sunglasses and blue light glasses, there doesn’t seem to be technology that actively prevents harm to one’s body. Polarized glasses and blue light glasses help prevent eye strain (Healthline). Something that happened as I watched the lecture about body modification art is that I felt a little uncomfortable (Jefferies). I think that the individual reactions the artists elicit are why they do art. I respect the artists for doi...