andrewsDESMA9

This week we learned about NanoTech and the influences that it has on art. We were lucky to have Dr. Gimzewski from the California NanoSystems Institute present the lectures this week. With over 35 years of experience in this field, it was indeed an honor. When one hears the term “NanoTech”, you immediately think of machines and technology that exist at the micro level. I learned this week that NanoTech also extends into the biological field as nature can have complex Nanostructures. Of these examples in nature, the one that caught my eye was the structure of a Gecko’s foot. Geckos can “stick to surfaces because their bulbous toes are covered in hundreds of tiny microscopic hairs called setae.” (Live Science)  This allows the gecko to walk up and down walls while supporting their weight. It also allows them to be able to sleep while hanging upside down for long periods of time. A single square centimeter on the gecko’s foot can support its entire weight. This natural example of ...

On Friday, May 3, 2019, I had the pleasure of attending the Sound + Science Symposium in the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute Presentation Space Auditorium. The first presentation that I attended was on the Sounds of Quantum Entanglement by James Gimzewski. In this presentation, we learned about waves that occur at the quantum level. The interesting fact that I learned is that everything in the world has operated in terms of waves. Even in solid objects like gold you can see waves in the top layer. Even in some sample of carbon monoxide, you can see waves at the quantum level. I thought it was really interesting how they were able to rearrange these carbon monoxide molecules into the UCLA logo.   Another interesting fact that I learned was how you can hear a monarch by using nanotech. You could record the sound of its wings by using a high powered laser. Because everything operates in waves, being able to do things like measure its sound with lasers.   ...

This week we learned about the connection between neuroscience and art. The topic that I felt exemplified this notion of neuroscience and art the most was the discovery of the “Brainbow” in 2007. Brainbow is a method that helps us visualize individual neurons. We can distinguish from the neighboring neurons by using specific fluorescent proteins. This technique helps to identify “the longer pathways that interconnect the different brain regions.” (Center for Brain Science) They saw this as a method of mapping the neural patterns of the axons in the brain to learn more about specific diseases and trends of the brain. When looking at the various images created by this process, it almost seems unreal that this is what is going on in our brain. It looks like an example of pure abstract art, but in reality, these images are beneficial for identifying neural pathways. By learning how the brain functions at the microscopic level, it opens up the possibility of learning how the brain operat...

The wings of a painted lady butterfly generated with a gene-editing technique.  BioTech in contemporary art involves artists entering labs to work with flesh and cellular tissue level. The human genome structure was a fresh palate for artists to manipulate. Most of these artists pushed the boundaries of human genetics that even scientists thought they were crazy. As a Philosophy major, the ethical considerations of biotech and art is what interested me the most. I believe that regardless of the reasoning as to why these genetic experiments are being conducted does not determine whether or not it is ethical. I think that when something genetic is done for art, then it is seen as unfavorable. I also believe that when things are manipulated for medical purposes, they are also unethical.   Alba, the fluorescent bunny One example of this is the alteration of the patterns on the wings of butterflies, which no other medical purpose other than being cosmetic, alterin...