Week 8: Nanotech + Art

 Since nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale, the first thing that popped into my mind is the creation of the atomic bomb (Nano.gov). Although nanotech and atomic engineering are not the same thing, I figured nanotech could create powerful weapons. Upon further research, The Department of Defense has shown the feasibility of creating a new class of weaponry- compact, powerful bombs that use nanometals (TheNanoAge.com). Laser system have also benefited from nanotechnology because smaller drones can pinpoint the lasers effectively and can help people reach places they can't (The Global Journal).

 Nanotech can also been seen in other areas of art as well. In sports, nanotech has the ability to make tennis balls last longer, produce more power in golf clubs and hockey sticks, create more hydrodynamic swimsuit, and reduce the weight of a bicycle frame enough so that it can be held by a pinky finger (SportTechie). With these new developments, does it make competitive sports fair? If you were without the advantageous technology, you would be at a disadvantage. And because an athlete is given better equipments, they are more likely to break records for an example. Overall, nanotechnology has helped art grow, but ethically it may provide some issues.

Citations:

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE>.

"Military Nanotechnology Applications • TheNanoAge.com." Military Nanotechnology Applications • TheNanoAge.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.

"Present and Future Impacts of Nanotechnology in Sports - SportTechie." SportTechie. N.p., 15 July 2014. Web. 26 May 2015.

"The Future of Nanotechnology in Warfare | The Global Journal." The Future of Nanotechnology in Warfare | The Global Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.

"What Is Nanotechnology?" What Is Nanotechnology? N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition>.

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

  The human brain is the greatest gift we have been given. In the span of approximately 125,000 years, with the help of our intelligence, we have evolved and developed. However, the study of the brain has only started recently. The ability of our brain to be creative has led to many artistic creations. One way people try to unleash their creative potential is through the use of recreational drugs.

 

  Albert Hoffman's synthesis of LSD, which causes hallucinations and kaleidoscopic images, made him see and imagine things that cannot happen without the use of drugs (Vesna, pt 3). These kind of drugs are a way for artists to "think outside the box." Whether the use of drugs should be allowed is not something I want to debate about, but it is hard to deny that many famous artists have used them to help them in their crafts (Frazzetto).

  Between the years of 1979 and 1987 when Stephen King wrote 22 novels that were sent to the publisher, King was under the influence of cocaine (Listverse). Many of the Beatles' songs were written under the influence of LSD including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (FinerMinds). King and Beatles are a few of the many who used drugs to help them create "masterpieces."

  The tinkering of our brain is quite interesting. Drugs may have harmful or beneficial effects depending on the way we perceive it. For an example, can we consider the notion that drugs are used to "control" certain parts of our brain in order to do things we can't possibly do without the help of drugs. We invented airplanes to fly, rockets to travel to outer space, and morphine to stop pain. These are ethical issues and I particularly am indifferent about the use of drugs for recreational purposes. 

Citations:

"5 Famous & Iconic Drug Users That Inspired The World." FinerMinds. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.

"10 Literary Figures With Crippling Drug Addictions - Listverse." Listverse. N.p., 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 May 2015.

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. "Neuroculture." Nature Reviews Neuroscience Nat Rev Neurosci 10.11 (2009): n. pag. Web. 17 May 2015.

Korte, Travis. "The Influence of Drugs in Art History." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. "Unit 7." DESMA 9. United States, Los Angeles. 17 May 2015. Lecture

 

  

Biotechnology and Art

 

  The exploration of biotechnology in art is quite controversial in my mind. Certain forms of art created through biotechnology may bring up questions about ethics while other "art" using biotechnology may not be as scrutinized. For an example, Joe Davis work on Microvenus is so heavily controversial that no museum is willing to display it. Davis worked with microbiologists to alter bacterial DNA in order to send human life into space (Vesna, pt. 1). The manipulation of genetics is at issue because of how progressive we have become in the modern era. Most people believe that animals should not be hurt in the process of scientific discovery.

  However, for plants we are more inclined to turn a blind eye. We often participate in buying genetically modified foods or plants. In the article Weird Science: Biotechnology as an Art Form, artist George Gessert mentions, "Any time you go to a flower shop and buy a bunch of flowers for a friend, you are participating in a process selection. If you get the blue irises and not the purple irises, it has an economic ripple in the greenhouse or on the field... (ARTnews).

  From my perspective, genetically modifying anything is a bit weird. The thought of mutations developing within an animal or living cells grosses me out. It's not natural and I fear that the exploration of biotechnology may lead to dangerous or harmful uses of science.

Citations:

"Explaining The Difference Between Genetically Modified Organisms And Genetically Engineered Food." . News. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.

"Microvenus: Joe Davis : Genetics and Culture." Microvenus: Joe Davis : Genetics and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.

"National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences." What Is Ethics in Research & Why Is It Important? N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. "Unit 7." DESMA 9. United States, Los Angeles. 10 May 2015. Lecture.

"Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.

Midterm Project