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 Space and Art The idea of space or extraterrestrial and cosmological elements represents an abstract field that we cannot usually see and must rely on our imaginations to visualize. Art enables our imaginations by supplementing it with models, drawings, and videos that help us realize the scale of the unexplored, and that "the richness of our neighborhood is the exception" (Eames Office). Models dating back to Copernicus' heliocentric model of space remain essential in representing space and its elements. Further, many aspects of space exploration were imagined by artists before they were achieved including the weightlessness of the moon described by Jules Verne in "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1856. Thus, space exploration, which is a topic of large interest in popular culture today, started off largely visionary in nature, fueled by art. Image 1: From the Earth to the Moon The presence of geometric designs and ordered structures in space has been of interes...

Nanotech + Art Nanotechnology studies and manipulates materials in the nanoscale. It was discussed by Richard Feynman in "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" in which he highlighted the "enormous potential" for development in the field of nanosciences (Feynman 1). Since then, we have seen this potential be explored in many disciplines including developments in semiconductors, dyes and pigments, and nanomedicine. Many of these advances have depended on novel approaches to design and manipulate nanostructures, making the involvement of art in the field indispensable.  It is hard to believe what you can't see. The nanoscale is impossible to see, but can be imaged using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) created by Binnig and Rohrer in 1981 (Chen 573). STM uses a sharp probe close to the surface of the specimen being imaged, and uses electron interactions between the tip and the specimen surface to scan it. This produces a grayscale image which is converted t...

 Neuroscience + Art The mysteries of neuroscience are sought after by every field. The study of consciousness as well as  unconscious processes has guided this exploration and manipulation such as the use of psychedelic drugs that alter the neurophysical. As is described by Frazzetto, this has led to the formation of novel areas of study such "neuroeconomics, neurotheology and neuroeducation... we are witnessing the rise of a neuroculture (or neurocultures)," (815). This integration of neuroscience in art is a more expected emergence. Since its foundation, the father of neuroanatomy  Santiago Ramón y Cajal used art to sketch the network-like structure of neurons, which he described as "butterflies of the soul".  This concept is still used in projects that use butterflies overlayed on fMRIs to depict the art inherent in the science. Butterflies of the Soul: Santiago Ramón y Cajal Similarly, the "BrainBow" project is another example of how art enables the st...

 Cosmological Elements: Space Ecologies  On Friday, April 28th, I attended the second Cosmological Elements Event curated by Claudia Schnugg and Iris Long. This event focused on the topic of "Space Ecologies", which addresses the relationship between life and resources in space.  As a student of molecular biology, I spend a lot of time studying the environment of cells and the ecology that supports living systems. Thus, it was fascinating to consider these factors on an astronomical level. The first project that I was captivated by was Makoto Azuma's Exobiotonica . The Japanese botanist and flower artist launched plants up into the sky in, what he called, "botanical space flight(s)". Super-high resolution cameras took pictures every 1 second. Exobiotanica Process: Makoto Azuma The generated images were then vertically arranged during an exhibition where viewers would experience the images as if they were looking up at the bouquets rising up into outer space.  Ex...

 Biotech + Art The tools of biotechnology are used to improve lives through innovative solutions to previously impossible problems such using genetic modifications to treat diseases and create more resilient crops. There has also been an increase in the use of biotechnology in art to create semi-living organisms and alter living organisms for aesthetics. Artists use a variety of unique canvases to display their work. However, using living being as a live canvas brings up many ethical concerns of how far their artistic license stretches. Consider the following example, Eduardo Kac's fluorescent bunny Alba was genetically modified using GFP to glow green when exposed to blue light. He states his piece has gone from being controversial to iconic (Kac 119). The consequently inspired "GloFish" is fish that also fluoresce, and was produced to be sold as commercial pets, which is now available in 4 species and 6 colors (Levy 9).  These projects edit the genetics of the organisms...

 Medical Technologies + Art The mechanics of a bicep contraction is art-like, causing changes in multiple muscles of the arm, shoulder, and back. As a Student Athletic Trainer, I spend a lot of time studying the human body including how it changes through movement and injuries. Recently, I've spent more time considering how observing the art of the human body influences my understanding of the science.  Famous artist and scientist Leonardo Da Vinci, helped me see that no study of anatomy is complete without the art of dissection. His dissections and illustrations served as a large development in understanding anatomy by providing fundamental insights into the human body, documenting previously unknown characteristics for study as well as for artistic appreciation. His work, which is still used today in art and medicine, emphasizes the art in a surgeon's blade, and the science in a sculptor's chisel. Illustration of Fetus by Leonardo da Vinci The more I think about it, the m...