Event 3: This Is The End, "Even Pricks" at the Hammer Museum

The This Is The End exhibit features 3 videos created separately by 3 different international artists: Loretta Fahrenholz, Tommy Hartung and Ed Atkins. When I visited the Hammer museum, “Even Pricks” by Ed Atkins was playing. The three videos do not share the same content or even the same storyline, but they do cover a wide array of themes such as surrealism, mental health, disaster and supernatural powers.




“Even Pricks” was extremely disturbing and bizarre. The 8 minute video is said to portray depression. However, I personally did not understand or see the implementation of depression as a mental illness in the video at all. Although this may have been the intention of Atkins. He uses a plethora of sounds and images to confuse the conscious and unconscious mind. I often heard clapping, snapping, gunshots and a person yelling “fu-”. The sounds play at inconsistent times; there is no rhythm or sense to when they are played. The same goes for the images. Atkins uses computer-generated images to create a sense of pure insanity. You see frequent shots of a monkey and a thumb, which appear to act as a precursor to a new image. In one clip, it seems as though there is a movie trailer playing. Several phrases are shot across the screen but then the clip suddenly ends. All images often start and stop in a manner that frustrates the viewer.  The combination of the sounds and images lead the viewer to believe there is no significant storyline or meaning to the video.




Ed Atkins created a video that is unlike anything I have ever seen. Despite the unusual computer-generated images, I do not recommend the This Is The End exhibit. I did not come away with any type of fulfilling experience. In fact, I was distributed by the erotic insanity.

Event 2: "Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studios" at the Hammer Museum

Thomas Heatherwick’s exhibition Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studios at the Hammer Museum was incredible because the artwork was so diverse and different. The studio creates useable, everyday things such as consumer products, public and private architectural buildings and the like; but, it is their execution of their creations that set them apart. Heatherwick’s time studying at London’s Royal College of Art taught and inspired him to create pieces that are innovative and inventive. His studio is known for great diversity in their work, as far as style, materials, structure and content.





Heatherwick Studio’s architectural designs are far from ordinary. The “Learning Hub” (2011-14), on the left, features 56 rounded tutorial rooms to encourage collaborative learning at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The rounds are stacked around an open center, which is used as a place for student gatherings. Other parts of the building such gardens, terraces and rooftops are used for community activities. The “Rolling Bridge” (2002-04), on the right, screams innovative technology. This hydraulic bridge rolls up and down so that pedestrians can pass through as well as boats. The bridge is supported by an anchor, allowing the rolling motion to take place. This efficent art piece is significant because it combines British drawbridge tradition with new technology.





The Heatherwick Studio also creates unconventional pieces of furniture. “Spun” (2007-11) was created in light of Heatherwick's apprenticeship with a silversmith during college. The chair gets its circular rotation from a metal spinning technique. The exhibit included prototypes outside in the courtyard. They were made of foam, plywood, MDF, metal and plasticine. Surprisingly, there were extremely comfortable.

As an athlete, it was very cool to see a prototype of the Olympic Cauldron from the London 2012 Olympics. Heatherwick’s studio was asked to design the cauldron with a catch: each country was to be involved in the making and lighting of the cauldron to encourage collaboration and teamwork among all countries.

Because of the uniqueness of the art and the wide range of pieces, I highly recommend that other students attend this exhibit. The utilization of different materials, as well as the modern technological designs, to create this art expanded my thinking from the traditional structures and products I see day to day.

Event 1: "Making Strange" at the UCLA Fowler Museum

For the first time ever, popular multimedia artist Vivan Sundaram has his work Making Strange on display at the UCLA Fowler Museum. The exhibit is comprised of two separate projects called Gagawaka and Postmortem. Both bring about ideas of life, death, aging, body image, mental health, illness and injury by creating high-fashion pieces with materials frequently used in medicine. "Floater" (2011), seen below, is a good example of this with the inflatable plastic dress, plastic tubes, and orthopedic supports.

The unique sculptures and unusual recycled materials are intended to make a powerful statement on a variety of issues. Thus, Sundaram is considered an artist and a political activist. He is said to have found the inspiration to create such controversial pieces from his education at the Slade School of Art in London. Upon his return to India, he created an “activist-oriented art collective” that encouraged artistic freedoms; these freedoms are embodied in the Making Strange exhibit (Making Strange exhibit).

One of my favorite pieces was the “Wired Torso” (2013), seen below. It is a half-bodied mannequin hung from a wall facing downward and is created with fiberglass body organs, wires and anatomy samples. To me, the downward facing angle seemed to be representative of human pain tolerance; the angle symbolizes the unknown in science, and the material symbolizes the complexity it will take to wipe away pain altogether.



I also liked the 12 ft. paper cup sculpture called “Effigy” (2011), seen below. It was pieces like this that were fun to see because they are extremely innovative by recycling materials found in a doctor’s office to portray a deeper meaning. Sundaram’s work shows that art is not merely something that is painted or something that communicates a single message. Art is the creation of something pioneering, something without limits and something that affects our world. Making Strange gives the viewer an experience that is educational and inspirational.




I definitely recommend Making Strange to my classmates. We have the rare opportunity to see an exhibit of an artist from another continent, who speaks another language and lives in a different culture. The art acts as a medium to portray messages that span across cultures and speak powerful messages to all without words.

Unit 9: Space + Art

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Exhibits/Permanent-Exhibits/The-Space-Race.aspx

The creation of the atomic bomb and the launch of Sputnik led to two world superpowers competing in the “space race” in addition to the Cold War. The ability to create and launch space technology translated to an overwhelming amount of power. Both America and the U.S.S.R. “...sought to prove the superiority of its technology, its military firepower and - by extension- its political and economic system” (History.com). The U.S.S.R. claimed several “firsts”, including the first space probe to hit the moon in 1959, the first man in space in 1961 (History.com). The following link is a speech from an American news station just after Russian Yuri Gagarin made history:  

http://www.history.com/topics/space-race/speeches/yuri-gagarin-is-first-man-in-space

The “...spectacular achievements...” of the Soviet Union “...struck fear into the hearts of many American citizens” (JFK Library). However, the challenge from President John F. Kennedy to land the first man on the moon gave the nation something to cheer for (JFK Library). “With more than half a billion people watching on television”, the U.S.A. won the space race by landing the first man on the moon (NASA). This event kicked off popular culture’s obsession with space technology.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html

Since Apollo 11, popular culture has fallen in love with space. It is the context and setting for multiple million dollar movies and television shows. In fact, “Star Wars” has a total revenue net worth of $27,000,000,000 (Statistic Brain). $12,000,000,000 was made by just toy sales, and thus, these toys inspire and teach millions of children about space technology as they play with them.

http://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/movies/8-reasons-why-star-wars-episode-vii-is-destined-to-please.html/?a=viewall

Space technology captures the most beautiful relationship between art and science because of the innovation and technology it takes to discover what is outside of our galaxy. Space research is not only enjoyed by engineers and scientists; it has provided education about life beyond earth to regular people through different mediums such as television, movies and books. Gallup stated that “7 out of 10 Americans who are 35 years of age or older say they watched the moon landing on television in July, 1969” (Gallup). It is clear that American citizens have maintained their passion for space and art since then.

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/space-exploration/hubble/

Citations:

Dunbar, Brian. "July 20, 1969: One Giant Leap For Mankind." NASA. NASA, n.d. Web.

"Landing a Man on the Moon: The Public's View." Gallup. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Star Wars Total Franchise Revenue." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., n.d. Web.

"The Space Race." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web.

"The Space Race." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "8 Space Pt2 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Unit 8: NanoTech + Art

Before this lecture, I was unaware of the complexity of nanotechnology and the vast potential it has to change our world. I have quickly learned that “Nanotechnology is what is going to push us over into the 21st century” because every aspect of our world is somehow impacted by nanostructures and nanoparticles (Vesna).  Nanotechnology already has huge hand in agriculture, food processing and packaging (Gimzewski). However, the exciting up-and-coming technologies in this field are those of nano medicine.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/how-nanotechnology-is-revolutionising-medical-diagnostics/1002893.article

Jim Gimzewski of UCLA’s CNSI discussed how nanoparticles are currently being used to create new medicines and drugs to cure diseases, form new therapies and make existing therapies more effective (Gimzewski). For example, the UCLA CNSI is currently developing stronger and more effective methods to treat pancreatic cancer, where a “specially-designed mesoporous silica nanoparticle” causes the pancreatic tumor to shrink (UCLA Newsroom). By this, a patient can receive a smaller dosage, reducing costs and side effects (UCLA Newsroom).

https://pancreas.b.uib.no/pancreatic-cancer/

Other research centers and universities are actively researching nanotechnology to improve human life. Over the last few years, nanoshells were invented at Rice University by Naomi Halas and Jennifer West (Rice News). The new technology was picked up by the Cancer Center Treatment of America for a trial with lung cancer (Rice News). As explained by Professor Gimzewski, nanoshells are injected into the bloodstream to target a specific cell in the body; a light treatment heats up the cell and can kill off the diseased tissue (Gimzewski). The scientists of Rice University claim that nanoshells are a breakthrough discovery because of their ability to “destroy tumors with minimal damage to healthy tissues” (Rice News).

The following video shows the gold nanoshells destroying a tumor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz77srVZhcI

http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/07_03/nanoshells.shtml

Nanotechnology, specifically that of nanomedicine, is considered art because the transforming technology is enhancing our quality of life. Nanomedicine allows a faster diagnosis, more precise treatments, intense tissue repair, and only targets the diseased organs while leaving healthy ones unaffected (The Future of Medicine).

Citations:

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt4." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

"Gold Nanoshells Fabrication." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

"Nanomedicine: The Future of Medicine." Associates Degree in Nursing. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Nanoshell Therapy to Be Tested in Lung Cancer Clinical Trial." Rice University News. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Nanotechnology Platform Shows Promise for Treating Pancreatic Cancer." Nanotechnology Platform Shows Promise for Treating Pancreatic Cancer. N.p., n.d. Web

Vesna, Victoria. "Nanotech Intro." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Unit 7: Neurosci + Art

https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Embryology_History_-_Santiago_Ram%C3%B3n_y_Cajal

The work of Santiago Ramon y Cajal, who is considered as the father of neuroscience, is the best example of neuroscience and art working together (Famous Scientists). He is remembered most for his work “The Neuron Theory” on the brain patterns of neurons, but it is the combination of science and art that makes his work very impressive (Vesna). His work included detailed visual images of the “tree-like input and output structures of neurons” and provided some of the first scientific evidence for brain activity patterns (Vesna).

http://www.robotspacebrain.com/santiago-ramon-y-cajal/

However, the most interesting connection between neuroscience and art are the discoveries of the brain by using psychedelic drugs. Many famous scientists were intrigued by drugs such as cocaine and LSD because of the uncontrollable effect on the brain. Dr. Albert Hoffmann, the father of LSD, created the drug and tried an experiment on himself. During the experiment, he reported that he was in a dream-like and ‘drunkenness’ state, wanted to lie down, was sensitive to light, saw several intense colorful images and was very hungry within two hours (RSC). Hoffmann stated in his book “LSD: My Problem Child” that LSD allowed him to have a “mystical experience of a deeper comprehensive reality” (Vesna). Even though LSD is now illegal and is not safe to use, this kind of drug allowed humans to engage with a part of the mind that was previously untapped.

http://totalpict.com/effects%20of%20lsd%20on%20pregnancy

Lastly, the lecture by Mark Cohen was interesting as it discussed the different equipment his lab has created to understand the brain. This equipment can be considered art because it allows us to learn and discover a part of the body that has so many unknown intricacies. Cohen is furthering brain research by creating objects like the goggles to teach people how to view an uninverted world (Cohen). Other scientists and institutions are doing their part to learn more about the brain, too. For example, researchers in Switzerland at the École Polytechnique Fédérale  are working on creating a "bendable implant that taps into the nervous system without damaging it" (Technology Review). By implanting this into your brain, the nervous system could pick up on signals to help a person move dead limbs. Thus, the collaboration between neuroscience and art is just beginning to bloom and will continue to improve the lives of humans.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/533971/a-bendable-implant-taps-the-nervous-system-without-damaging-it/

Citations:

Cohen, Mark. "Neuroscience-Mark Cohen.mov." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDq8uTROeXU>.

"Santiago Ramón Y Cajal." Famous Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.famousscientists.org/santiago-ramon-y-cajal/>.

"LSD: Cultural Revolution and Medical Advances." LSD: Cultural Revolution and Medical Advances. Royal Society of Chemistry, n.d. Web. <http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2006/January/LSD.asp>.

Regalado, Antonio. "A Bendable Implant Taps the Nervous System without Damaging It." N.p., n.d. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=361&v=TzXjNbKDkYI>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=223&v=E5EX75xoBJ0>.

Unit 6: Biotech + Art

Joe Davis, the pioneer of biotechnology art, wrote a book contemplating “what is life and what does it mean when we manipulate life” (Vesna). This question is very important for twenty-first century people to think about because the modern technology readily available has the potential to radically change our world. But to some extent, it already has. Many biotech projects completed have used animals in their experimentation and artwork. Eduardo Cats created “Alba” - a bunny that was created from a fluorescent gene of a jellyfish (Vesna). The modified gene opened up debate among scientists and artists. Marta de Menezes genetically-altered the wings of butterflies, which she called artwork; later, her project was heavily scrutinized by many because the butterflies had holes in their wings (Vesna). Symbotica scientist Zaretsky created the “fish and chips” project, which produced art by a robotic arm run by the activity of goldfish neurons (Vesna). As you can see, biotechnology is not new to the art world.

http://bigcatrescue.org/liger-facts/

However, Paul Root Wople’s ted talk inspired me to think about the bigger picture of biotechnology. He compares the past “waves of evolution” and brings up several examples of what might happen if biotechnology takes another step up (Wople). For example, he discusses the breeding of animals like ligers, beefalos and camas (Wople). He says that while the genetic manipulation has been interesting, “something much much more powerful is happening now”. That is, we are now able to create cells through a DNA synthesizer; organic parents could become a thing of the past and humans could solely be created from computers (Wople). But do we really want this to happen?

http://www.ncyu.edu.tw/bioagriculture/content.aspx?site_content_sn=18490

For years, there has been a debate about the ethical guidelines of biotechnology. Some people believe that biotechnology is the answer to “help improve our lives and the health of our planet” (WABE). Those against the liberal use of biotechnology are afraid of things like the lack of privacy and ability to clone any human, public fears of terrorism, protecting people in clinical trials, the age-old discussion of stem cell research and the expensive toll on healthcare (Biotechnology Healthcare).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/frankenstein/index.html (left)
http://hellogiggles.com/originals/news-nostalgia/page/2 (right)

In the end, Wople challenges his listeners to take initiative, whether they disagree or not: “[it] is not just the responsibility of the scientists and the ethicists who are thinking about it and writing about it now. It is the responsibility of everybody…” (Wolpe).

https://fruitcakeandpie.wordpress.com/political-policy-of-stem-cells/

Citations: 

"Atlanta Biotech Summit Seeks To Create Ethical Guidelines." Atlanta Biotech Summit Seeks To Create Ethical Guidelines. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://wabe.org/post/atlanta-biotech-summit-seeks-create-ethical-guidelines-0>.

Silverman, Ed. "The 5 Most Pressing Ethical Issues in Biotech Medicine."Biotechnology Healthcare. BioCommunications LLC, n.d. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570985/>.

"Transcript of "It's Time to Question Bio-engineering"" Paul Root Wolpe: It's Time to Question Bio-engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_root_wolpe_it_s_time_to_question_bio_engineering/transcript?language=en>.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 BioArt Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=MdSt-Hjyi2I>.