Event 3: Staring in the Age of Destruction

The third event which I attended this quarter was the gallery Starting in the Age of Destruction (S.A.D.). This gallery was quite intriguing as a number of artists were showing off their works, all taking a very different approach to art.

            The first piece of artwork that I want to mention is Louis Pham’s pain and pleasure. This work takes on an organic approach where I feel like I am stuck in a trance, initially I felt at ease by the vibrant color scheme, which created a sense of peace and tranquility, but I slowly began to feel a sense of discomfort while the cactus (spikes) were strewn throughout. This work drew upon my emotions and was ultimately successful in conveying this notion of good and bad. Pham describes this work as a bench symbolizing relaxation and comfort, while the tightness of the space along with the “prickling cactus” creates anxiety and discomfort. This piece can be related to our two cultures topic, as this piece omits a sense of two cultures in name and style.

            Secondly, the most polarizing work within the gallery was the centerpiece, the rug paying homage to the 11 million undocumented citizens currently in this country. Victor Beteta’s Alfombra Indocumentada displays the pain and hardships these undocumented citizens put themselves through to try and attain the American Dream. Additionally, this piece connects our world with two cultures, as this connects the world of higher education to the hardships undocumented students face.  Furthermore, this piece displays the journey these individuals face, as the “La Bestia” (the beast) is begins their journey as they eventually seek to be one with the butterflies bordering the rug symbolizing their migration and journey through nature.

            After attending this gallery, my eyes were opened to the concept of two cultures. I was closed-minded previously, but these two works began to open me up to the concept that there are greater hardships in our culture today then the one I face. I feel this gallery is worth attending, as it was an eye-opening experience and one that connected art to two cultures.

Week 9: Space and Art

            Space is one of the most fascinating, mysterious, and undiscovered places within our world. It is a place that can only be mapped out by science fiction, as exploration did not truly begin until the early 1960’s. What began as the Space Race between the Soviets and the United States eventually led to a great development in the understanding of the unknown. Over time, we have been able to land individuals on the moon, send rovers and challengers to Mars, and have equipment able to analyze planets, stars, and other objects in our Solar System through technology.

            This week I learned that humans were not the first living beings to enter space; this honor belongs to animals. These animals were used first by the Soviets to gauge whether going into space would be suitable for humans. The first human to reach space was Yuri Gagarian. Gagarian, a Russian Soviet, led the way for individual exploration into the greater unknown. Gagarian’s trip to space eventually led to the Apollo Space Shuttle Program, which after some major setbacks landed Neil Armstrong on the moon on July 20^th, 1969. This accomplishment paved the way for space exploration, specifically with the moon and an eye towards planetary exploration.

            The synthesis between art and space has always been a fascinating thing to see.  One of the more interesting examples of this is Cosmic Dancer, a sculpture created by Arthur Woods. Woods’ sculpture was intended to be the first in space and integrate the world of art with outer space. The integration of space with this sculpture allows for it to be viewed at zero gravity, where the base of the sculpture is no longer keeping the sculpture set. Thus, the sculpture is weightless and can be viewed from any angle. This idea and fulfilled initiative furthered the combination of art with space.

            This week’s material on space and art reinforces the idea that art is used and combined in everyday life; in fields of study and in the world we live. Space has allowed art to expand within society to greater parts of this world never before realized, where individuals can now look to space as a place for their art to be envisioned.

"Apollo 11 Moon Landing Video, Neil Armstrong, We Choose to Go to the Moon, JFK – July 20, 1969." The Story of America RSS. Web. 28 May 2016.

"Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods." The Cosmic Dancer Project : Cosmic Dancer Introduction : Arthur Woods. Web. 28 May 2016.

"Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods." The Cosmic Dancer Project : Sculpture And Gravity : Arthur Woods. Web. 28 May 2016.

"Cultural Space Programme." KSEVT. 2015. Web. 28 May 2016.

Dunbar, Brian. "Yuri Gagarin: First Man in Space." NASA. NASA, 2011. Web. 28 May 2016.

History.com Staff. "Apollo 11." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 28 May 2016.

"Neil Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 28 May 2016.

The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Web. 28 May 2016.

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

            After watching Dr. Gimzewski’s lectures on nanotechnology and art I became aware of how this technology is a field full of possibilities. Nanotechnology surrounds us in everyday objects; however, the size of these particles is so minute that it goes unnoticed how imperative nanoparticles are.

The basis of nanotechnology and the discovery of these atoms began by using the Scanning Tunneling Microscope. This microscope provides the ability to “feel” the atoms and can map out their position. To map out the atoms, this microscope undergoes a rastering process where it converts a simple image into a basic map. Generating a map begins by taking a blank canvas and shading it in with color, similar to a heat map. This canvas depicts which areas contain more atoms and the information is then transferred to a computer and using computer technology one can build the model of an atom. Additionally, the microscope can bring atoms very close to one another, where these individuals can make partial atomic bonds. This technology allows for art to be created, as manipulating the atoms can lead to creating shapes and structures, seen in the work of Don Eigler.

Relating to nanotechnology, nanoparticles are one of the most important things dealing with our society and commercial business today. Nanoparticles can be seen in stained glass, where the particles combine together and create an image with varying colors that cannot be created from normal pigments. Additionally, nanoparticles have the lotus leaf effect, where they can change properties, which is why water runs off of the lotus leaf. Today, these nanoparticles can be seen in self-cleaning fabrics, furniture, and upholstery.

The world of nanotechnology and art is full of endless possibilities and it is a field that can be explored in much greater depth. The advancement of technology will only increase the ability to discover the world of minute particles and build them into something beneficial for our society.

           

"About Nanotechnology." About Nanotechnology. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.Base. Web. 20 May 2016.

Hafiz, Yasmine. "The Most Stunning Stained Glass Windows In The World (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 20 May 2016.

"Nanoparticle Applications and Uses ." Nanoparticles Applications  and Uses. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Scientific Image - Quantum Corral (top View)." Home. Web. 20 May 2016.

ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily. Web. 20 May 2016.

Science: HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Seeing Atoms." Seeing Atoms. Web. 20 May 2016.

"The Scanning Tunneling Microscope." The Scanning Tunneling Microscope. Web. 20 May 2016.

Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

            This week Professor Vesna addressed neuroscience and art; specifically the importance neuroscience has played throughout the development of society. Franz Joseph Gall originated the concept of phrenology, which was an attempt to look at individual intellect and personality through the examination of skull shape. Additionally, Gall claimed that mental functions are localized in specific regions of the brain and human behavior is dependent on these functions. Gall was disproved with phrenology; however, he was correct in the analysis of neurons and ganglia being the source of brain function. Another individual, Ramon y Cajal made advancements in neuroscience as he is said to be the founder of neuro-anatomy. He is known for neuron theory, where you can seek out connection patterns between neurons by looking at their shapes. Cajal found that these neurons were connected to one another, similar to a tree like structure, which led to more extensive studies in the field of neuroscience.

            Neuroscience also has an effect in the realm of dreams; where both the conscious and the unconscious are realized. Two men, Freud and Carl Gustav Jung, took an in depth look into this and were instrumental in the development of dream analysis. Specifically looking at Jung, who believed that the unconscious could be a source of creativity. Jung’s Collective Unconscious is important, as it relates to archetypes constituting the structure of the unconscious, while also representing the basic human behavior in situations.

               

Lastly, the drug Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a psychological drug known for its affects in altering brain processing and select brain functions. LSD was seen as a remedy for everything from schizophrenia to alcoholism. LSD had great promise for analyzing psychotherapy and played importance in the literary works of Aldous Huxley. Huxley’s Door’s of Perception are a documentation of his experiences while trying LSD, where the mind and its experiences are morphed into an illumination of shapes and colors distinct to different sounds in his actual environment.

"Aldous Huxley - The Doors of Perception." Tom Butler-Bowdon. Web. 13 May 2016.

"Carl Jung." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 13 May 2016.

"Franz Joseph Gall : Founder of Phrenology." Franz Joseph Gall : Founder of Phrenology. Web. 13 May 2016.

"Phrenology: The Secrets In Your Skull." Stranger Dimensions. 2014. Web. 13 May 2016.

Sample, Ian. "LSD's Impact on the Brain Revealed in Groundbreaking Images." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2016. Web. 13 May 2016.

"Santiago Ramón Y Cajal - Biographical." Santiago Ramón Y Cajal - Biographical. Web. 13 May 2016.

"Tapping the Triggers of the Unconscious Mind." Direct Marketing News. 2014. Web. 13 May 2016.

"The Internet Course on LSD." Bavatuesdays. 2014. Web. 13 May 2016.

Event 2: LACMA

Michel's Ship

            For my second event of the quarter I attended the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). This massive art center bestowed countless art works varying in design, technique, and form. After attending this center I discovered similarities in artwork that correlates to our class. Through two pieces at the museum, I was able to draw a comparison to our lessons regarding the synthesis of math, science, and art, as well as, medical technologies.

            First, the painting, Ship by Robert Michel, caught my immediate attention. This painting displays the “nuts and bolts” of the ship in an artistic manner, depicting the engine, cargo, wheels, and specific designs upon the ship. The individual sections of this work are all overlapped onto one another and brings artistic flare to the scientific elements and features. When I saw this piece I related this back to architecture and how architects use individual elements and then piece them together to create their work. I believe that Michel artistically places the scientific foundation (pieces of the ship) together, epitomizing what Professor Vesna discussed in lecture; specifically that science is heavily integrated in art.

Picasso's Centaur

            Secondly, Pablo Picasso’s Centaur is relatable to our lectures on medical technologies, specifically x-rays. The centaur is created in a three-dimensional figure, displaying its height and width. Additionally, this piece displays all of the bones that run through out the body of the centaur. When walking past this work, I immediately thought of the advancement in medical technologies and William  Röntgen’s x-rays. X-rays are non-invasive medical machines that can take images of an individual’s bones. For me, Picasso intended to have his centaur convey the image of an x-ray, which elevates the meaning of the piece, giving me the impression that this centaur is a real being and similar to humans.

Ticket standing at urban lights within LACMA

            All in all, I felt that my visit to LACMA was definitely worth my while and a place I would recommend to fellow students. This museum center has a plethora of art that can be seen and perceived in a number of different ways. For me, I interpreted the pieces in relation to our prior course material, but for other students it may provide them with a life-changing opportunity to step back and interpret the work the way perceive it.