Event 3: Weak or No Signal (MFA Design Media Arts Thesis Show)

Event 3: Weak or No Signal (MFA Design Media Arts Thesis Show)

Before I paid a visit to this thesis show, I did not read up on what it would entail or have on display. Therefore, I was very confused and felt lost when I first walked into the New Wight Gallery at UCLA's Broad Art Center. What also made it tough to figure out what was happening in the gallery was the fact that none of the individual exhibits had written descriptions of what was displayed. However, as I continued to stroll through the gallery, I began to make some apparent connections with some of the topics and concepts we covered in this class. I will be talking specifically about three exhibits I saw that connected with three of the units we have explored thus far. 

The first piece of art that I encountered as I walked in was a suit with a variety of technological advancements on it, yet sported quite a very ancient, aged feel to it. It almost seemed like a suit one would see in a movie where soldiers from the past, perhaps around the 16th-17th century with technology of this age. This mix of cultures distinctly brought back the unit from week one about two cultures and how this blend can lead to forms of art. Specifically, although Snow talks about the mix of the sciences and humanities, the same overlap of cultures is seen in this suit (Snow, 1959).

 (A selfie with a random contemporary suit that had an ancient feel to it)

The next exhibit I got to experience was more difficult to analyze and sort through. As seen in the image below, the encasing seemed to have a treatment table, heartrate monitor, and a bunch of rocks on a conveyor belt looking thing. What really caught my eye was the treatment table and heartrate monitor because it reminded me of the week four unit covered in this class. I was reminded of how oftentimes medical technology will serve as mediums of art. Similarly, there is a robot named Aramique that actually draws pictures based off the installation visitor's heartbeat (Pangburn, 2014). Just like how MRI images are essentially seen as pieces of art, the way the heartrate monitor and treatment table are incorporated in this piece of art display the unification between medical technology and art. 

 (An encasing with what looked like a treatment table, heartrate monitor, and conveyor belt with rocks coming out of it)

In this last piece of art that I was able to analyze, the artwork seems to be half of a unit circle on display with a couple of sea urchin looking items evenly spread out on the floor. This reminded me of the second unit we covered in this class about how mathematics and art are connected. Specifically, the exhibit connected with the mathematical art of M.C. Escher, as he made an effort to incorporate various geometric properties (Smith, 2014). What I could take away from this particular piece of artwork is the apparent inclusion of certain geometric concepts, especially the part that somewhat looks like a fan. 

(An exhibit that seems to display random geometric models)

As mentioned before, what made this event tough to analyze and connect with the class was the lack of written explanations and general theme to the thesis show. However, it became apparent that this is exactly what art is: a free-flow of themes, emotions, and concepts and in order to create artistic beauty. Ultimately, it is cool to see how so many different concepts and aspects in everyday life can connect directly to art. 

References

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

Pangburn, DJ. “Heart Bot Turns Heartbeats Into Personalized Illustrations.” Creators, Creators, 29 Aug. 2014, creators.vice.com/en_us/article/wnpdk5/heart-bot-turns-human-heartbeats-into-personalized-illustrations.

Smith, B. Sidney. "The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." Platonic Realms Minitexts. Platonic Realms, 13 Mar 2014. Web. 13 Mar 2014. <http://platonicrealms.com/>

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>

Vesna, Victoria. Medicine Body Lecture. Video. 26 Oct 2012.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Week 8: NanoTech & Art

Prior to this week, I wasn't sure if I even understood what nanotechnology was. However, after this week's unit, not only do I recognize what nanotechnology entails, but also how it connects with art. Nanotechnology essentially creates a way for people to perceive our world with a sense of "sensing and connectivity" (Gimzewski, 2012). Nanotechnology has brought our world to where it is today and has the capability to take us into another level of discovery and innovation. 

One topic of nanotechnology that has caught my eye is the invention of the microchip implants. According to an article, a systems engineer named Dave Williams is part of a group of "biohackers" that chose to augment their bodies with nanotechnology (Gray, 2017). This allows for Williams to essentially be a walking contactless smart card that can perform many different tasks like open doors or unlock his computer.

(An image of Dave Williams hand with the microchip implanted)

Just like any other technology, like the smartphone or microwave, this microchip is a form of art. These microchips are essentially categorized as radio-frequency identification devices that allow for tasks like communication and credit card functions (Grauer, 2018). Many are worried about health complications with the chips, but even the insertion of the microchip is an art. Supposedly, these microchip implantations are safer and have less complications than ear piercings. 

(An example of what a normal microchip implantation would look like)

An example of nanotechnology before it even became a field is the Lycurgus Cup from the Roman times. What makes this cup so special is that it looks jade green when lit from the front and blood-red from the back (Merali, 2013). This feat was done by grinding particles of silver and gold as small as 50 nanometers in diameter and impregnating the glass. Although nanotechnology wasn't an official science yet, this form of art displays the artistry and innovativeness of the Romans, even though some historians believe this happened by accident (Smithfield, 2017). 

(Images of the Lycurgus Cup from Ancient Roman times)

Images Cited

Grauer, Yael. “A Practical Guide to Microchip Implants.” Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2018, arstechnica.com/features/2018/01/a-practical-guide-to-microchip-implants/.

Gray, Richard. “Capital - The Surprising Truths and Myths about Microchip Implants.” BBC News, BBC, 2 Aug. 2017, www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170731-the-surprising-truths-and-myths-about-microchip-implants.

Merali, Zeeya. “This 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows That the Romans Were Nanotechnology Pioneers.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Sept. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-were-nanotechnology-pioneers-787224/.

References

Grauer, Yael. “A Practical Guide to Microchip Implants.” Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2018, arstechnica.com/features/2018/01/a-practical-guide-to-microchip-implants/.

Gray, Richard. “Capital - The Surprising Truths and Myths about Microchip Implants.” BBC News, BBC, 2 Aug. 2017, www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170731-the-surprising-truths-and-myths-about-microchip-implants.

“Infonomia.” James K. Gimzewski, Nanotechnology Pioneer, www.infonomia.com/james-k-gimzewski-nanotechnology-pioneer/.

Merali, Zeeya. “This 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows That the Romans Were Nanotechnology Pioneers.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Sept. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-were-nanotechnology-pioneers-787224/.

"Nanotech Jim pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 May 2018.

"Nanotech Jim pt4." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 May 2018.

"Nanotech Jim pt6." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 May 2018.

Smithfield , Brad. “The Lycurgus Cup- A 4th-Century Roman Glass Cage Cup That Changes Color When Lit from Different Angles.” The Vintage News, 7 Aug. 2017, www.thevintagenews.com/2016/08/29/the-lycurgus-cup-a-4th-century-roman-glass-cage-cup-that-changes-color-when-lit-from-different-angles/.

Week 7: NeuroSci & Art

Before this week's unit, I did not really see the connection between neuroscience and art. Being a psychobiology major, I have learned about how complex and intricate the brain is. Furthermore, Dr. Vesna mentions in her lecture about how much we actually don't know about the brain, although there have been many studies of it already (Vesna). Perhaps this is why many times, artists will try to portray this "mysterious" part of the body in many different art forms because it opens avenues for creativity (Badhwar & Jakobson). In many cases, pictures or paintings of the brain and how it works are actually included in many biology and life science lectures and textbooks. The following picture is an example of an image that a student would most likely encounter while studying neuroscience. 

(An example of how neuroscience and art connect in the classroom setting)

Another avenue that neuroscience and art are connected that I was able to realize through Dr. Vesna's lecture was in the art of film. Dr. Vesna mentions David Cronenberg, who she describes as a movie director that incorporates psychology and thriller (Vesna). Similarly, this reminded me of a movie I watched called "Split". M. Night Shyamalan, the director, creates a story of an individual with multiple personalities disorder, which is commonly studied throughout neuroscience. Although the director is criticized for not portraying the disease correctly, we can see how film and neuroscience are incorporated together (Nedelman). 

(The theatrical release poster for the movie "Split")

Finally, another way neuroscience and art can be seen united is through marketing techniques, specifically the logos for many companies. Because of how the brain works, the way logos are designed are very important for consumer attention (ThinkResults Marketing). Specifically, the example of a "revamped" Gap logo is an example of this connection. As a result of how the mind perceives certain details and what it prefers to see, the new Gap logo was actually criticized for being worse than the original (Groeger). 

(The comparison to the original [on the left] to the "revamped" Gap logo [on the right])

Images Cited

Groeger, Lena. “Gap and the Neuroscience of Logo Design » Scienceline.” Scienceline, 24 Oct. 2010, scienceline.org/2010/10/gap-and-the-neuroscience-of-logo-design/.

“How Neurons Are Able to Keep Up the Chatter.” Neuroscience News, 26 Nov. 2016, neurosciencenews.com/how-neurons-are-able-to-keep-up-the-chatter/.

“Split (2016 American Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 May 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_(2016_American_film).

Citations

Badhwar, Amanpreet & Jakobson, Estrid. “The Interplay between Neuroscience and Art.” Organization for Human Brain Mapping, 3 June 2017, www.ohbmbrainmappingblog.com/blog/the-interplay-between-neuroscience-and-art.

Groeger, Lena. “Gap and the Neuroscience of Logo Design » Scienceline.” Scienceline, 24 Oct. 2010, scienceline.org/2010/10/gap-and-the-neuroscience-of-logo-design/.

Marketing, ThinkResults. “Your Brain on Logos: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Logo Design.” ThinkResults, 17 Feb. 2015, thinkresultsmarketing.com/your-brain-on-logos-what-neuroscience-tells-us-about-logo-design/.

Nedelman, Michael. “What Shyamalan's 'Split' Gets Wrong.” CNN, Cable News Network, 23 Jan. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/01/23/health/shyamalan-split-movie-dissociative-identity-disorder/index.html.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience + Art.” Lecture 1. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=16300821>.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience + Art.” Lecture 2. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=16300821>.

Week 6: BioTech & Art

Our lives are essentially living proofs that the unification of biotechnology and art results in the advancement of humanity. Furthermore, this combination of biotech and art ultimately shows the creativity that humans are capable of.

First of all, even when it comes to the food we consume, humans have come close to mastering the art of processed foods. Specifically, we are partaking in this culmination of art and biotechnology everytime we make those late night runs to the nearby Golden Arches for some 20-piece chicken nuggets and large fries. According to the Guardian article, whether it's the machines that physically make the "pink slime" that goes in the meat or the biotechnology that goes behind synthesizing GMO foods like potatoes for the fries, it is evident that the marriage of biotechnology and art play a huge role in the consumption of food in our everyday lives.

(The "pink slime" that is thought to be inside Mcdonald's meat) 

Moreover, there is a lot of debate as to whether GMO foods are actually good for humanity. On one hand, the genetically modified foods are actually thought to be have the capability to end world hunger while on the other hand, may have lasting effects on the health in the long-term. A prime example of a GMO food in the US is corn, which allows it to be grown in masses; however, if a disease that the corn is not resistant to comes along, the entire crop can in fact die.

(Corn, an example of a common GMO crop in the US)

On another note, biotechnology and art is seen in an example from Eduardo Kac, a famous artist and professor. He is known to have created what is known as a "GFP Bunny" named Alba, which is in fact a green fluorescent bunny. Through the use of biotechnology, a once albino bunny was essentially mutated synthetically with EGFP, an original wild-type green fluorescent gene found in a jellyfish. While biotechnology and art are seen somewhat indirectly in the processed foods we consume, this is a direct example of how the intricacies of life on this earth can play a role in a simple art form. 

(A picture of Eduardo Kac and his "albino" bunny, Alba) 

Images Cited

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP BUNNY.” NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA, 2000, www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor.

“Pink Slime at McDonald's, America's Meat Epidemic [Report].” Fast Food Geek, 9 Feb. 2012, fastfoodgeek.com/restaurants/mcdonalds/pink-slime-at-mcdonalds-americas-meat-epidemic-report/.

“What Is Non-GMO? What Are Genetically Modified Foods?” The Organic & Non-GMO Report, non-gmoreport.com/what-is-non-gmo-what-are-genetically-modified-foods/.

References

Aciman, Alexander. “Go Ahead. Eat Pink Slime.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 6 June 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/opinion/go-ahead-eat-pink-slime.html.

Brody, Jane E. “Are G.M.O. Foods Safe?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/04/23/well/eat/are-gmo-foods-safe.html.

Gunther, Marc. “McDonald's GMO Dilemma: Why Fries Are Causing Such a Fuss.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 4 Dec. 2013, www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/mcdonalds-fries-innate-potato-genetically-modified-food.

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP BUNNY.” NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA, 2000, www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor.

Stutz, Bruce. “Wanted: GM Seeds for Study.” Seed Magazine, 13 May 2018, seedmagazine.com/content/article/wanted_gm_seeds_for_study/.

Event 2: The Construction of the Environment in Epigenetics Research

Event 2: The Construction of the Environment in Epigenetics Research by Clemence Pinel

I attended the talk that Clemence Pinel, from King's College London, gave regarding epigenetics and the relevance in today's research. To start off her talk, she introduced three aspects that lab scientists incorporate into their daily research endeavors. These include profitability, mobility, and versatility. Essentially, Pinel goes through her presentation covering each of these important aspects of research and how research specifically geared toward epigenetics cover these facets as well. Furthermore, she goes on to explain how collaboration is an important part of scientific research, whether that's the sharing of knowledge or even resources. This allows for labs to essentially save time and resources, creating a very efficient avenue for optimal research conditions. In addition, collaborations can also happen with biotech companies, especially because a lot of the biotech equipment is actually quite pricey. As a result, many epigenetics research labs will contact biotech companies in order to gain access to the technology that is already available at those companies. On the other hand, biotech companies will then use the data that research labs have acquired in search of further developing a potential product. 

(A quick picture with Clemence Pinel herself after her presentation)

In terms of mobility, collaborations between labs will allow for quick transitions and "changes of direction" when it comes to research. When changing directions in a research route, it is much easier to do so when in collaboration with another research lab, instead of attempting to start an endeavor on a new project. Also, with the use of collaborations, research done in different environments can essentially help these labs to form "a bigger picture" regarding epigenetics and how the environment as whole can play a monumental role. 

(Pinel presenting about what the environment can do for research labs) 

According to Pinel, collaborations prove to useful in the versatility of research as well. Many times, research labs will work with different labs that are studying similar aspects, yet focused on slightly different environments. Specifically, she stressed the importance of environment in the study and research of epigenetics. As a result, it allows for epigenetics research labs to reach maximum profit as well, as they can tackle different aspects epigenetics in different environments, simply by working with other epigenetics research labs. This is the reason that the study of environments in relation to epigenetics is actually a very profitable research area. 

(Pinel speaking of the importance of collaboration in epigenetics research)

Overall, the presentation Pinel reminded me of the unit we had on biotech and the relevance of this technology in this coming age. Furthermore, these technology units can be applied to various other disciplines of science, like epigenetics research (as mentioned by Pinel), in order to maximize profit. 

In addition, her talk about epigenetics and the collaboration it requires has opened my eyes to intricacies and planning research requires. I am actually part of a research lab that is focused on bone biology and how different environments will spur on the most bone growth. However, I was never aware of the amount of collaboration that could be happening that I was never aware of. After this presentation by Pinel, I have a desire to actually go speak with the principle investigator in my lab to ask how our lab particularly is engaging in these collaborations with other labs or biotech companies to provide the most efficient research environments. 

References

Feil, Robert, and Mario F. Fraga. “Epigenetics and the Environment: Emerging Patterns and Implications.” Nature Reviews Genetics, vol. 13, no. 2, 4 Jan. 2012, pp. 97–109., doi:10.1038/nrg3142.

Pinel, Clemence. “The Construction of the ‘Environment’ in Epigenetics Research: A Social Study.” The UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics, socgen.ucla.edu/events/the-construction-of-the-environment-in-epigenetics-research-a-social-study/.

Vesna, Victoria. Medicine Body Lecture. Video. 26 Oct 2012.

Weinhold, Bob. “Epigenetics: The Science of Change.” Environmental Health Perspectives 114.3 (2006): A160–A167. Print.

Midterm Presentation

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LSINu51ljBnBZkF_7roAG0lNmdDXSffZ/view?usp=sharing