Event 3: LACMA

After battling through traffic on Wilshire boulevard, I finally arrived at LACMA. My first impression was the iconic row of lights that I have seen on so many movies. The urban light was so delightful to look at and I had a great time there walking through the many columns and rows. It really help me understand how science, electricity, and architecture can be so artistic and beautiful. The lights, so similar yet so different offered so many different perspectives at every angle that you looked at. The cast iron steep lamps serve as a forest nestled on a busy Wilshire boulevard and it acts as a perfect escape from the fast-paced lifestyle of LA

 Once I entered LACMA I quickly noticed Breathing Light. This was so interesting because its exhibit served to eliminate all depth perception I had. The exhibit was fascinating to venture through and I had a wonderful time there

Me soaking in all the fun at LACMA

My time at LACMA was very interesting and fun. Spending a quick day there I would highly suggest because there is so much art to appreciate there and it is such a quick drive away from UCLA. I would highly suggest looking at the urban light whenever someone has the opportunity too because it is a beautiful sculpture that needs to be appreciated. All in all, LACMA was a fantastic learning experience and I am happy I made the venture down a busy Wilshire to visit. 

Event 2: Hammer Museum

After having some trouble finding parking near the hammer museum on a busy Monday morning in Westwood, I finally made it into the Hammer Museum. First walking in I quickly noticed these odd chairs that would rotate on the ground, yet I saw many people enjoying themselves on them. Obviously, I needed to try it out and I quickly was very fond and amused by it and it was the only the beginning of the creative genius that was at the Hammer Museum.

After my small episode of swinging around on the chairs I entered the Provocations studio which showed a futuristic exhibit of architecture. What really caught my eye was the amazing designs of bridges they had on display. The art work enamored me into thinking how this could be a practical use of bridges in the near future. It laid flat over a river for easy commute over, however the catch was that it could raise up to for a curve shape that turned the bridge into many steps so boats or canoes could easily pass under it while pedestrians could still pass over the river. 

The next artwork I enjoyed was a piece about a futuristic building. I thought the artist did a fantastic job of portraying how the environment is going to play a huge role in future society. It was very provocative and showed how trees and bushes are going to be in the foundation of new buildings. I particularly liked how there were trees growing from the roof of this new building as I believe this will be common in the future.

Me capturing in the magnitude of this amazing artwork

I would totally endorse my classmates or anyone to go over to the Hammer Museum and check out what it has to offer especially Provocations. I believed it to be a wonderful exhibit and was very interesting to see their take on the future of society and their perspective. 

Event 1: Fowler Museum

My experience at the Fowler museum was extremely interesting and eventful. As I first entered “Making Strange” I was curious as to what possibly that could have been. I quickly glanced at the goofy and odd outfits that were mounted everywhere. The Indian artist Vivan Sundaram outfits that she created were remarkable. She crafted outfits that were strictly made out of recycled material. This was revolutionary to me and its creativity was over the top. The artist did a fantastic job of bringing her values of a clean and greener planet into her profession of art. Her strange and quirky art were very interesting to look at and she did an amazing job of putting them all together. My experience at “Making Strange” was awe-inspiring and I learned how you can relate social issues into artwork and craft your own view on them. 

Next at the Fowler Museum I entered “Intersections” which showcased different styles of world art. It detailed different art from different local lives around the world. It was fascinating to see the different forms of art intersected together. What stood out to me was the different forms of masks the artist created and each of the little twists they had on them. One mask I found extremely interesting was one that sat on top a bed of nails and sticks and was crafted out of clay. It was a mask that looked so simple yet had minuscule details that showed the intricate side of this work of art. I would suggest going and visiting both of these sites in the Fowler Museum because it can really intrigue anyone and is very interesting.

Me having a wonderful time drenched in art museum fun

Week 9: Space + Art

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/TheJetsons

Space and art, as professor Vesna says, perfectly sums up the end of the quarter. Both influence each other and space is such an interesting topic. The Space Age is a very important mark in human history and especially an important mark in art. The age was the culmination of ideas layer down by artist and writers and their imagination was instrumental to the development of space travel. Popular art and TV culture layer the foundation to the space travel excitement. Most notably the show The Jetsons, laid the ground work for scientific inquiry and combined the fascination of space with pop culture. Space and Art both go hand in hand in influencing one another and help both explore uncharted territories. 

http://www.blastr.com/2014-4-23/check-out-r2-d2s-bizarre-propeller-head-13-original-star-wars-storyboards

Television and movies ignite public interest in space. Movies like Interstellar that came out in 2014 or Star Wars that came out in the 1970’s both have the same effect in sparking interest in space exploration. The graphic effects of these movies spawn awe and amazement of the unknown of space. Even with the heavy advancement of technology, little is still known about space which adds to the curiosity and wonder of it. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasol_(satellite)

Artists and engineers both work together as both industries influence each other. Designing of blueprints of rockets and satellites. Incorporating other disciplines of math and science like talked about in previous weeks comes into account when dealing with space as well such as, the laws of gravity and aerodynamics. Thus, space and art and their influences on one another is a perfect topic to end the quarter on because it involves many of the topics we discussed earlier in the year. 

Sources: 

1) Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 May 2015.

2) “What Your Favourite Alien Movie Says About You.” Kotaku. Allure Media, 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2015

3) “How To Build A Space Elevator And Become An Interplanetary Civilization.” Science. Gizmodo, 12 Feb. 2011.  Web. 30 May. 2015

4) “Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers.” Leonardo Space Art Project. MIT Press, 1996. Web. 30 May. 2015.

5) Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 5. 2012. Film. 

Week 8: Nanotech + Art

http://phys.org/news/2013-02-transplanted-cells-nanotech-checkup.html

Nanotechnology is so influential in our daily lives without us ever evening seeing it. From lecture, we see the paradigm shift that occurs with art and nano-technology. Professor Vesna pointed out the large importance of art and nanotechnology and how is it going to completely change our own perspective. It is such a broad field and impacts almost everything in the art and sciences. Artists such as Paul Thomas and Kevin Raxworthy use their art to interact with nanotechnology. Their artwork is based upon breath where they look at the skin cell where they explore life and death and the atomic level. Their work is revolutionary in the field and is used to explore art in a totally new way. 

http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/modern-technology/gold-nanotech1.htm

The effects extend greatly into medicine and health. Nano particles can help save lives at the microscopic level. Nanotechnology has allowed for us to interact with the human body at the cellular level and can go in and clean the body of various toxins. This revolutionary field of using nanotechnology is very beneficial to medicine. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Centre_for_Nanotechnology

Art has been a gateway for humans to feel and see the inter workings of nanotechnology. “Art in the age of Nanotechnology” questions the material world and challenges our perspective on it. The article purposes a way to connect art on the minuscule level abstractly and shows the intersection between art, science, and technology. The fields really come into contact in the nano-scape project where it allows for humans to actually touch and feel nano particles. The user wears large metallic rings and the brush over an interface as they feel the magnetic forces of attraction and repulsion. Nano technology is a new and revolutionary field and expands over a wide range of fields.

Sources

1) “Art in the Age of Nanotechnology.” Artabase. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May. 2015. <http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

2) “Introduction to Nanotechnology.” Introduction to Nanotechnology RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May. 2015. <http://nanogloss.com/>.

3) "When Nanotechnology Meets Art”. Science and Religion.com. n.p., 20 Apr 2011. Web. 24 May 2015.

4) Ostman, Charles. “Aesthetic Exploration in the ‘Virtual Nature’ of Synthetic Environments and Artificial Ecologies”. Nanotechnology Now. n.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

5) "'Nanobamas' fuse art, science, technology and politics."Sciencecentric.com. Science Centric, 15 Nov 2008. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.sciencecentric.com/art_style/08111501-nanobamas-fuse-art-science-technology-politics.html>.

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

Neuroscience and art go hand in hand. The mind is the driving force behind art. The mind is used in art to alter our perception and stimulate a certain type of emotion. The brain is very intricate and complex and is composed of many different neurons and receptors. Neurologists Ramon y Cajal was very influential in the discovery and understand of the neurons and their role they had in the brain and the nervous system. Neurons can target sensory receptors to stimulate feeling and emotions. Art targets these neurons into generating an emotion that the artists tries to evoke. 

http://mindbodycoach.org/neurons-that-fire-together-wire-together-optimizing-your-brain-chemistry/

Artists leave most of their artwork up for interpretation. It visually allows for the person to interpret in any way they see fit. This is shown in the work of musicians such as Bob Marley. Bob Marley used his music to revolutionize a culture and he did so through his music which was used to garner emotion from his listeners. the brain is set up where different people see or hear art differently than the next. 

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bob-marley

Dealing with conscience and sub-conscience as it pertains to the brain is something scientists and artists have still been dealing with. Artists are often inspired by the inter-workings of their dreams. Their is very little understanding of the science behind the conscience and dreams however we do know the large impact they do have in our lives. Artist, especially musicians use the conscience and dreams to drive and inspire their work everyday. 

http://www.gregallum.co.uk/social-media-ode/

Sources:

1) Vesna, Victoria. “Conscious / Memory (Part 1).” Lecture. 16 May 2015.

2) Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. “Conscious / Memory (Part 2).” 16 May 2015.

3) Jackson, Candace. “How Art Affects the Brain.” The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 22 2010. Web. 16 May 2015. 

4) Noe, Alva. “Art and the Limits of Neuroscience.”Opinionator. The New York Times, 15 2012. Web. 16 May 2015.

5) “Externalism About Mental Content.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. University of Stanford, 17 Aug. 2010. Web. 16 May. 2015. 

Week 6: BioTech + Art

BioArt cultivates both the scientific community and the art community through social and ethical issues. BioArt is important because it delves deep into those ethical issues that sometimes would be ignored otherwise by the two sides. Somewhat of a pioneer, Joe Davis was very influential in the BioArt community creating and developing the Audio Microscope where for the first time we could hear our own living cells. Joe Davis brought together art and science and created living art which was influential in both fields. 

http://www.olgadegtyareva.com/posts/blend-of-passions-music-meets-high-pressure-science/

DNA and the altering of DNA has played a key role in the saving of lives or even creating new lives. Artist like Eduardo Kac who crafted the GFP Bunny Alba. Alba was a albino rabbit and was genetically engineered to become a green fluorescent bunny. This new wave of art that goes into the cells and DNA of animals is greatly talked about in discussions of ethics and morality. 

http://www.eddablume.com/lots_of_bunnies,%20front.htm

Gene modification in food is also a new trend. Thus, consumers should be aware of the foods they consume and look out for foods that are modified to have a better color, shape, or form. The foods are modified for economic purposes to have a longer shelf life. Scientists can alter foods however they want and can change them in any manner, this is why food alteration is a great example of BioArt. 

http://www.endoriot.com/2014/11/monsanto-losing-millions-as-gmo.html

Sources 

1) Vesna, Victoria, narr. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” N.p., . web. 5 May 2015.

2) Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Ekac. 2009. Web. 5 May 2015

3) Whitman, Deborah B.. “Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?.” csa. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2015.

4) Kelty, Chris. “Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?”. Web. 5 May. 2015.

5) “Genome.” Wikipedia. 19 Oct 2012. Web. 5 May 2015.

Week 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

Prior to this week’s lecture, I would have never suspected that the intersection between medicine, technology, and art lies in the human anatomy. Both scientist and artist find a huge interest in anatomy and atomic structure. The fascination begun at the time of renaissance, especially the work of Vesalii, who is the father of the human anatomy and from his work inspired many forms of art. A surprising form of art that has derived from the fascination of the human anatomy is the MRI. Now being able to study and view humans on a microscopic level brings a new interest into human anatomy and creates and new appreciation for the human body. MRI can be considered art because, like art, it too is open for interpretation and can is diagnosed under human discretion. 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146309.php

Medicine and art can be dangerous to discover as well as to practice. Through lecture I learned of artist and scientist pushing the limits of the human body to see the extremes they can go to. Examples such as, Orlan an artist who went under multiple procedures on her body to be displayed as beautiful. This is very relevant today because we are in an age of plastic surgery as well as transgender surgery for people to now finally display how they are truly feeling on the inside in their appearance. Just as recently as this weekend was an interview with former olympian Bruce Jenner, where he came out and said that he is transgender.

http://deadline.com/2015/03/bruce-jenner-interview-diane-sawyer-abc-1201390958/

Another fairly recent discover that I find very interesting is the creation of hearing-aids. Just recently can we now allow everyone to be able to hear the beauty of sound. Modern technology has allowed us to use devices to enable a person to hear. Hearing aids is a good example of modern technology and art coming together to provide beauty as well as a benefit to society. 

http://hearingaidbuyertoday.com/facts-cost-hearing-aids/

Sources:

1) Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.” Lecture. Medicine pt1 . Youtube, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.

2)Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations Between Science and Arts.” (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

3)Orlan – Carnal Art (2001) Documentary. Dir. Stéphan Oriach. Perf. Orlan. N.d. Film. YouTube. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. 

4) Wong, Virgil. “Art Exhibited in Galleries and Museums around the World.” Art. N.p., 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://virgilwong.com/art/>.

5) Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/psjnQarHOqQ.” Lecture. Medicine pt2 . Youtube, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

Week 3: Robotics + Art

What really struck me this week was how much art has influenced technology. I had an idea of the impact of mechanization, robotics, and specifically mass production had on the spreading and developing art, but never to the extent of what Professor Vesna described in her lecture. Mass production lead to many benefits for society and allowed society to profit mightily. However, the idea between futurism and fascism described in the lecture, which encompassed art and technology was very fascinating. The industrial revolution lead to ideas of futurism, described in Futurist Manifesto in 1909, which was a philosophical ideal that mass production and advanced mechanization will lead to our love of war and conflict, leading to the fostering of fascism. 

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Stormtrooper_Corps

Art has played a huge role in robotics and the advancement of robotics. Art and theatre is where the first robots were seen in work by Karel Capek.  Movies such as Star Wars really incorporates both mass production and robots and brings them both into a new light. Their idea of storm troopers, an army made up of the same person and robot replicated over and over to make an army. Star Wars was monumental in its impact on technology and its influence on future mechanization.  

http://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2011/jan/28/no-actors-robots-play-theatre

Lastly, movies like Wall-E show how technology, when used correctly, can help be beneficial to humanity. However, Philosopher Walter Benjamin argues that mass production can eliminate creativity. Wall-E shows how man-kind and earth are destroyed by technology, but then find a way to learn how to use technology to be beneficial and productive rather than being so highly dependent on it.

Sources

1) Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

2) Vesna,Victoria. “Lecture Part 1.” Math + Art. 17 Apr. 2015. Lecture.

3) Marinetti, F.T.. “The Futurist Manifesto.” masi. N.p.. Web. 17 Apr 2015. <http://masi.cscs.lsa.umich.edu/~crshalizi/T4PM/futurist-manifesto.html>.

4) The Little Robot That Could: Religion in Disney Pixar’s Wall-E. Digital image. Religion&Wall-E. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://www.religionandwalle.webs.com/>.

5) Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Dir. Irvin Kershner. By Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan. Perf. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp., 1980

Week 2: Math + Art

In this weeks discussion and lecture, I learned that the separation between the two fields of math and art are actually one in the same. One concept I learned that was very interesting was the idea of perspective. The early problem of portraying a 3-dimensional figure on a canvas. Perspective in art is central to its administration, art and creativity is driven by perspective. This concept was first developed in the west in the 13th century by Giotto where he displayed the use of depth in his art. This was then driven home by Brunellesci in 1413 when using vantage point in his works. His work is at the crossroad of math and art because he uses different forms of mathematics to deliver and craft beautiful as well as accurate portrayals. 

http://www.camein.com/3d-perspective-street-art-by-julian-beever/

Another important concept I learned from this week was the influence of math in the most basic form of art, music and how it is mathematically based. The use of octaves, vibration, and sound waves shows that mathematics is at the foundation of music. I found this interesting because growing up a huge fan of music, as well as having a large distaste for art I never saw the two being so fundamentally apart of one another. Seeing how rhythm can be quantified shows the relationship between the two disciplines. 

http://www.glasbergen.com/?count=3&s=math

After reading the novel Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott, I found that we can learn a lot through other perspectives and it can be extremely valuable. Music is a great example of how listening to it from other perspectives can give you a greater appreciation for the piece and can help you really delve into the culture and art behind it. 

http://www.bespokenart.com/prints.html


Sources

1) Abbott, Edwin. “Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.” N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <https://cole.uconline.edu/content>.

2) Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics.” Lecture. CoLE DESMA 9. Web. <https://cole.uconline.edu/~UCLA-201209-12F-DESMA-9-1#l=Week-2-Assignment/id4287887>.

3) "Filippo Brunelleschi." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.

4) "Music and Math: The Genius of Beethoven - Natalya St. Clair." TED-Ed. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.

5) Mize, Diane. “A Guide to the Golden Ratio (AKA Golden Section or Golden Mean) for Artists.” A Guide to the Golden Ratio (AKA Golden Section or Golden Mean) for Artists. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <http://emptyeasel.com/2009/01/20/a-guide-to-the-golden-ratio-aka-golden-section-or-golden-mean-for-artists/>.

Week 1: Two Cultures

The Idea of two cultures when first conceptualized seems very straight forward. However, after looking into the separation between science and art it is much more than that. C.P. Snow first elaborated on the difference between the two cultures and the intellectual impact it has and how there is a division between natural science and literary intellectuals. John Brockman spoke of the emergence of the “Third Culture” where the two cultures meet. Being a student-manager for the UCLA baseball team I constantly see the intersection of these two cultures.

                                         http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/art/tyonthird.html

A collision between two players charging for third base, gracefully depicts the intersection between art and science in the game of baseball.

Baseball is looked at a form of art and can have a beautiful performance of a lot of different moving parts and pieces. Baseball, when preformed correctly, can be as visually pleasing as a play or performance. Scientifically, baseball is seen as a game of observation and careful precession and uses a great sum of analytics.

http://bridgei2i.com/blog/how-analytics-is-influencing-player-and-game-performance/

Another example of Two cultures would be coming over from a small town in Parker, Colorado into the fast-paced, non-stop lifestyle of Los Angeles. However, as Bohm claims that scientist must be creative and open to new ways of exploration and discovery as do artists, I must too be open minded and accepting of my new change in environment and the new lifestyle I will be living these next four years. 

http://productivity-blog.vanaia.com/creative-productivity-war-of-art/

The Two Cultures segment really opened my eyes and challenged my previous conception of contemporary art and science. The most confounding piece of information that translated over into my everyday life was seeing the examples from Bohm about my identity in my own Two Cultures and the acceptance and open-mindedness I need to have. 

Sources

1) Bohm, D. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2015

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

3) Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo 34.2 (2001): 121-25. Web

4) "Academy EBriefings." A Dangerous Divide. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2015.

5) Wilson, Stephen D. “Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology.” College Art Association Meetings. New York, New York, 2000. Print