Week 9: Space and Art

In my opinion, space is one of the most fascinating areas of human exploration. To think that we are just a tiny human part of a massive outer space can sometimes be incomprehensible. Many components of space have been explored, yet there is still so much more information to learn.   

In 1957, Russia launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space beginning what is known as the “Race to Space”. Sputnik, launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit, was visible around the Earth and its signal, although not entirely clear, was detectable. Other countries began to participate in this race to space, which ultimately led to the Cold War.

Sputnik

After launching a dog, and chimpanzees into Space, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to be launched into space.

Yuri Gagarin-The First Human to go to Space

Although extremely interesting, space can also be very dangerous. The tragic deaths of the astronauts aboard the Columbia (2003) and Challenger (1986) were extremely disheartening to both the mission of NASA and the American people as a whole. Today, despite many technological advances, astronauts face many dangerous medical conditions such as muscle wasting, eyeball deformity, and the effects of gravity on bones.  

Columbia Crew

Challenger Explosion

Space has also been a huge interest in the world of entertainment.The movie E.T. (1982) was one of the first films to address the idea of extraterrestrial life and audiences have responded very well to science fiction movies and show since. Even children have been targeted in the entertainment industry in the past with the television show "The Jetsons". Space was simply fascinating people of all ages in all different parts of the world.

Me with ET at the LA Wax Museum! 

Today, the Mars Curiosity Rover is teaching more and more about the planet Mars. Currently, it is headed for a strange cluster of rock formations on its journey to Mount Sharp. Mount Sharp is three miles above the planet’s surface. NASA researchers are hoping that it may contain clues about the ancient environment of Mars. Space is an ever exploring topic that I hope to learn more about in the future!

 Resources:

Mars Rover Curiosity: http://www.space.com/23597-mars-rover-curiosity-destination-names.html

NASA History of Sputnik: http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

NASA Yuri Gagarin: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/gagarin_anniversary.html

The History of E.T.: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/et-the-extra-terrestrial-released

Mars Rover: http://www.space.com/18027-mars-rover-curiosity-amazing-photos-red-planet.html

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on an atomic scale, has been revolutionizing the world of art and technology for decades.

Silicon

Silicon, a tetravalent metalliod, perhaps the most important element in the world of nanotechnology, is contained in virtually all electronic devices we use today.

The idea of “making things smaller” is powered by advances in nanotechnology leading to more appealing devices for consumers like you and I. Take for example the very first computer which was so large that it took over an entire room.

The first computer

Today, our computers are much much smaller.

This MacBook is a lot smaller than the first computer

Silicon Transitor

Silicon transitors are the secret behind all electronic devices. Today, we are able to “shrink” these silicon transitors to very small surface areas. Amazingly, silicon can be cut into millions and millions of tiny pieces and still contain the same anatomical functioning. One inch of a silicon chip can contain billions and billions of silicon transitors (measured in nanometers).

To make computers even smaller, developers are beginning to stack the silicon transitors on top of each other. They are unable to make the transitors any smaller than they are. Transitors that sit side by side in long rows will leak electricity; therefore, by stacking the transitors, developers can decrease the surface area while increases the number                                                            of transitors per chip.

The MacBook Air is an example of "stacking transitors" 

Nanotechnology is also transforming the medical world. Capsule endoscopies containing microscopic (at the nanometer level) components can take up to 80,000 flashed photographs of a patient’s digestive tract. These “camera pills” prevent patients from having to undergo an uncomfortable procedure and provide even more  accurate results than an endoscopic procedure.   

 

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References:

1. Capsule Endoscopy: http://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/B_EXTRANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION-FlexMember-Show_Public_HFFY_1126655482354.html

2. Nanotechnology; “Making Things Smaller”: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/making-stuff.html#making-stuff-smaller

3. The First Silicon Transistor: http://www.pbs.org/transistor/science/events/silicont1.html

4.  Transisor’s without semiconductors: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130621121015.htm

5. History of Computers (Big to Small): http://history.msu.edu/hst250/2012/05/23/computers-from-big-to-small-2/

Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

The brain is the most intricate organ in the human body. It houses everything that makes up our personality, speech, intellectual thought, and life as we know it. The brain contains both our conscious and unconscious thoughts and allows us to perform all tasks of daily living. The brain is a fascinating subject area to both scientists and artists alike. Dr. Greg Dunn, who has a PhD in neuroscience has been recognized both in the fields of science and art through his stunning paintings of the human brain.

                                         This picture shows the developing cerebral cortex, at about week 15 of human gestation

This painting depicts the hippocampus of the brain

In an interview with Penn Medicine Magazine, Dunn stated that he began to paint because the brains complexity became very overwhelming to him and painting was a way to escape is whilst still learning about the functions of the brain. Dr. Greg Dunn is a prime example of how the worlds of art and neuroscience can be blended together uniformly.

Albert Hofmann’s discovery of LSD led to a genre of art known as  “Psychedelic Art” that came about in the 1960s. Lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD, is a psychedelic drug that completely alters the cognitive and visual function of the brain leading the unimaginable to become very realistic in the brain of an LSD user. LSD creates unrealistic visual images on the closed or opened eyes of the user. Wes Wilson is one of the most influential psychedelic artists of his time. He is best known for inventing the “psychedelic font” which made letters look like they were melting or moving.  He is known as the father of the rock concert poster and his trend became very popular by the early 1970s. While altering brain function, LSD produces unusual visuals that can be transformed into unique artistic images.

Wes Wilson Poster

Wes Wilson Poster

                       Overall, the worlds of neuroscience and art can be directly linked.

Resources:

1. Dr. Greg Dunn: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2182992/Paintings-brain-neuroscientist-Greg-Dunn-inspired-Japanese-drawing-style-Sumi-e.html

2. LSD: http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugslsd

3. Wes Wilson: http://www.wes-wilson.com/

4. How The Drugs of the 60’s Changed Art: http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/07/15/ken.johnson.psychedelic.art/

5. Albert Hofmann: http://www.psychedelic-library.org/child.htm

Event 3: The Griffith Observatory

Tonight, November 10, 2013, I visited the Griffith Observatory! 

In 1912 Griffith J. Griffith donated $100,000 to the City of Los Angeles for an observatory to be build on the top of Mount Hollywood in his name. He wanted a place for the people of Los Angeles to come and learn about astronomy while appreciating a beautiful view of the city. 

The architecture of the Griffith Observatory  consists of a huge dome with two symmetrical semi-circle domes on either side. The monument in front of the building is perfectly symmetrical portraying six figures (the six greatest astronomers of all time). 

The doors of the observatory portray gorgeous geometric shapes and lead into a breathtaking dome. The first thing you notice when you enter is the Foucult Pendulum. The Foucult Pendulum is a 240 pound sphere suspended from the ceiling. It recreates an 1851 demonstration by French physicist Jean Bernard Leon Foucult that gave the first proof that Earth rotates on its axis. 

Entrance to the observatory

Foucult Pendulum

Above the Pendulum is a beautiful painting

Inside the observatory I learned all about telescopes, the different kinds of radiation, and astronomy facts. Outside; however, was where I had the opportunity to witness the beautiful city lights of Los Angeles. 

The Griffith Observatory is the perfect place to visit to learn about the connection between science and art. The observatory is filled with scientific facts yet displays them with such artistic design. The architecture of the observatory directly correlates to the combination of mathematics and art. The view from the observatory allows one to witness the beautiful night sky and directly see the astronomical finding displayed in the museum. There is even a telescope available for the public to use. I was able to observe the craters of the moon! Overall, I had a really great time at the observatory and would love to return! I feel that I have a greater appreciation of the Griffith Observatory since taking this course and believe it is definitely a real life example of how science and art can come together as one.

The Griffith Observatory is free to the public and sponsored by the City of Los Angeles.

Event 2: The Getty Villa

 Last weekend (November 2, 2013)I went to the Getty Villa! 

The Getty Villa is located in the Pacific Palisades and is a beautiful museum dedicated to the portrayal of art from ancient Greece, Rome and Etruia. The impeccable landscape, perfectly symmetrical building and courtyards, and the astounding art pieces inside were simply breathtaking. The architecture gave me a real life example of the principles of mathematics in art that we learned during week 2. When I first stepped off the elevator at the beginning of the pathway through the grounds, my eyes were automatically drawn to the geometric shapes. The pillars of the two story museum building were perfectly aligned and surrounded by a perfect semi-circled amphitheater.

The building then opened up into an atrium with black stone statues aligning the edges. Everything was perfectly symmetrical.

  

Inside there were many works of art. As I looked around I noticed that many of the pieces portrayed people. This sculpture entitled the Head of Emperor Augustus displays a very realistic image of the ancient emperor. This sculpture and many more were prime examples of how accurately the human body can be portrayed in art.

I really enjoyed my time at the Getty Villa and feel that it directly tied in with the coursework of DESMA 9. During week 2 we learned about the relation between mathematics and art. The architecture of the Getty Villa clearly portrayed this and gave me a much better understanding of how impressive geometric shapes in architecture  can be. I also realize how difficult it must be to incorporate mathematics  into artwork and really appreciated the work of the architect. The visualization of all of the human images in the artwork allowed me to think of the relation between science, the human body and art. The pieces of artwork perfectly portrayed the human body. The outlining of each muscle, facial line, and intricate design of eyes and hair depicted the artist’s strong attention to detail.

Overall I had a really great day and would highly recommend other students to go to the Getty Villa!  

Week 6: Biotechnology and Art

Advances in the world of biotechnology have led many people in today’s world questioning what the word “life” really means.

The first controversial event that I can remember in my lifetime was the cloning of the sheep “Dolly”. Dolly is the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell using the process of nuclear transfer. The cloning of Dolly caused an emotional stir and led many to think, “If we are starting to clone animals, are humans next?”

A short video on how they cloned Dolly the sheep.

Creating the perfect baby is a relatively new topic of interest. If parents were given the option, should they choose what color eyes and hair their child would have? A majority of the population believes that this is morally wrong and we are essentially messing with the creation of life. However, people tend to change their minds when posed this question: If science would allow you to genetically alter your baby so that it would not carry specific gene diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes or congenital abnormalities, would you? What about when deciding your child’s level of intellect? These questions pose an extreme ethical dilemma.

Which pieces of your DNA would you choose for your baby? 

The science behind genetically modified babies

According to the World Health Organization, “genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose DNA has been genetically modified in a way that does not occur naturally. Surprisingly, genetically modified foods are accepted in today’s society with the top ten being as follows: salmon, animals feed, oils, soybean, golden rice, squash, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, and sugar beets. Crops are the most natural thing that this earth has to offer. If this is true, why do we see the need to genetically modify them?

I think the biggest question to be asked regarding this topic of biotechnology and art is, “Just because we are able to genetically modify and produce unnatural things, should we?

Resources:

1. World Health Organization Genetically Modified Food: http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/

2. The Cloning of Dolly the Sheep (Science Daily): http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/d/dolly_the_sheep.htm

3. Top 10 Genetically Modified Foods: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-genetically-modified-food-products.htm

4. Genetically Modified Babies: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/07/17/first-genetically-modified-babies-born.aspx

5. Should We Prohibit Genetically Engineered Babies?: http://www.npr.org/2013/02/15/172137776/should-we-prohibit-genetically-engineered-babies