Extra Credit Event Blog Post

Getty Museum

A few weeks Ago, I decided on taking a trip to the Getty Museum with a few friends. Though, my reasons for going were a tad different than those of my friends, I learned much the various specialties within the science of Art. 

Initially, when walking in, I was amazed at the regal style of the venue. The Getty's exterior epitomizes the modern conception of a royal palace. With stone like surfaces and castle like structures, the Getty displays visually pleasing architecture. 

Oddly enough, when examining the beauty behind such structures, I was reminded of our class lectures, discussing concepts like the golden triangle and other geometric principles involved with producing such symmetric buildings.

In many respects, it can be argued that perhaps the engineers and architects who designed the building must have been influenced by the Greek structure, the Parthenon. Both structures sit atop a hill, overlooking a dramatic view. Furthermore, each structure implements the use of columns that offer structural support to the rooftop.

When examine the museum itself, I was intrigued at the various types of artworks on display. Ranging from various sculptures and canvasses with sharply painted figures, it was initially hard to find what topic or artwork to hone in on. However, one artwork that continues to linger in my thoughts is George Herms's untitled portrait. Though it may not offer anything "special" in comparison to the works, it caught my eye due its blue color that reminded my of Megan Lindeman's picture in which she mixed oxytocin in her pigment of blue; the resulting color looks eerily similar to this portrait's shade. 

Works Cited:

Lindeman, Megan. "Megan Lindeman." Megan Lindeman. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.

"Greek Architecture - Crystalinks." Greek Architecture - Crystalinks. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.

"Architecture in Ancient Greece | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum, n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.

"Untitled (Getty Museum)." The J. Paul Getty in Los Angeles. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.

"Golden Ratio in Art Composition and Design." The Golden Ratio Phi 1618. The Museum of Harmony and Golden Section., 2014. Web. 08 June 2016.

Event Post 3

IPAM

 Last Friday, I attended Dr. Vwani P. Roychowdhury's lecture  regarding NLP, or Natural Language Processing. 

Dr. Roychowdhury's  machine or "algorithm" takes in text and interprets it into meaningful data. One example of his output, were his results form using twitter feed information regarding vaccination, in which the program clustered words and statements into groups. For example,  Dr. Roychowdhury's design was able to find the exact political opinion of mothers against vaccinations and associate a list of verbs associated with controversial nouns.

Another important action, his program performed was the vast clustering of related information. When his program was fed blogs and other websites contain petabytes of data(over billions of words and text), all pertaining to a certain topic, the program was able to organize information and correlate an important information in clusters. Clusters are a visual representation of information that indicate the size and correlation of many types of data. Therfore, in many respects the design of such a program, allows for computers, in a sense, to critically analyse a topic.  

Initially, when pondering how to connect such a dense topic to the material learned in class, I faced difficulty. 

However, it is clear to me now, that such a topic in fact, requires great artwork. For example, much of the commands to organize clusters of information requires an artistic mind to organize such information in a visually pleasing manner. 

Furthermore, in order to create commands for a computer to both efficiently and methodically carry out, great thought must be taken into consideration before doing. Just as a painter exerts creative thought onto his canvas, so too does a developer using his NLP algorithms. Additionally, much of the same mental faculties required in producing artwork, goes into developing code as many skilled programmers have noted.

Works Cited

"Big Data and Complex Networks Group." Big Data and Complex Networks Group. UCLA. Web. 30 May 2016.

Duygulu, P., and K. Barnard. "Clustering Art." Clustering Art. IEEE Xplore. Web.

Guyon, Isabelle. "Clustering: Science or Art." Stanford University. Web.

Moore, Barbara. "Art 1 and Pattern Clustering." MIT. Web.

Rijmenam, Mark Van. "Datafloq - Connecting Data and People." Datafloq Read RSS. Datafloq. Web. 30 May 2016.

Week 9 Space and Art

Space and Art

In May 2016, NASA announced its release of the NODE, or Network and Operation Demonstration Satellite. This engineering marvel implements nanotechnology for more efficient storage of data and power usage thus providing great use for the next ISS mission. This technology not only demonstrates the potential for greater discoveries of the cosmos, but also serves as a an example of the artwork needed to produce such an engineering marvel. With its visually pleasant cubic shape, more surface area is granted for storage of data in the form of grids.

Vincent Van Gogh's Starry night shows how discoveries of the cosmos offer an  avenue of creative artworks. Recent analysts of great artworks have hypothesized that Van Gogh's swirls in the starry sky originated from scientific observations during the same time as his career, in the 1850s. Anglo-English astronomer, William Parsons discovered M51, the first Whirlpool galaxy and had even created drawings that closely resemble those of Van Gogh's illuminated night sky.

Painter and Animator Don Davis, after his efforts collaborating with many astronomers, constructed a wide range of planetary objects and their surfaces to expose and signify features almost unknown in  many drawings and other artworks. One such example is his construction of Saturn's rings. Using Plexi Glass and specific coloring mechanisms, Davis was able to enumerate the icy and rocky surface of each layer of rings that Saturn Contains.

This month, two street artists Pietro Zucca and EMMEU inspired with the science behind star explosions, or Supernovae, constructed an art show in which an auditorium was devoted to still shots that changed frame by frame of geometric shapes. Each simulated an explosive and vibrant array of particulate matter in the form of a variety of polygons. Without the astronomical discovery of supernovae, such a rare viewing would be non existent. Likewise, without both artists and their creative tools, much of the public would remain ignorant of the power and awe of  supernovae.

Works Cited

Caldwell, Sonja. "Nodes – Network & Operation Demonstration Satellite." NASA. NASA. Web. 29 May 2016.

Davis, Don. "Don Davis Space Art." Don Davis Space Art. Web. 29 May 2016.

"Solo Exhibition SUPERNOVA by EMMEU and Pietro Zucca. Roma, Italy - I Support Street Art." I Support Street Art. Web. 29 May 2016.

Jones, Jonathan. "Starry, Starry Night: A History of Astronomy in Art." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2014. Web. 29 May 2016.

MailOnline, Jonathan O'Callaghan for. "Is Van Gogh's Starry Night a Painting of GALAXIES? Bright Swirls Are Based on Distant Cosmic Spirals, Claims Expert." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 2015. Web. 29 May 2016.

Wheery, Phil. "Rosse Sketches Photo Index." Rosse Sketches Photo Index. Web. 29 May 2016.

caseykDESMA9: Week 8: Nanotech and Art

Dead Casey, I also found nanotechnology's application to the medical field fascinated. And I enjoyed how you incorporated with videos to explain your point.

Week 8 Post

Nanotechnology and Art

Among the various innovations and discoveries, Nanotechnology has been of growing importance and usefulness. Many engineers and developers have began to create devices from  biological as well as mechanical roots in order to allow for greater ability. By definition, in order to be considered Nanotechnology, a device needs to be less than 100 nano-meters, a distance invisible to the naked eye. 

In order to demonstrate its practical ability and importance, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan,  John Hart developed infinitesimally small faces of president Barack Obama. Using Carbon fibers, Hart and his team created a chemical reaction which produced a series of cylindrical tubes that ultimately formulated the faces we see in a birds eye view. Each cylindrical tube, was created using intricate programming and is the size of less than a hundredth of a nano-meter.  

Recently, biologists have developed DNA Nanotechnology in which machines, made from organic material play  role in assembling chemical structures necessary for further research. Such an innovation required an artistic and innovative mindset in order to produce such beautiful biological programming. In many respects, the creation of such machines is in itself an art-form.

Developers from Switzerland helped create a sand mandala that is not only created on a nano microscopic scale but is also interactive for users in the exhibit at the Children's Museum. The motions and manipulations of the sand are done electronically while a projector magnifies the image allowing users to view their microscopic manipulations on a screen. Thus users are better to visualize the effect of their tiny, microscopic movements. Such a concept, not only is artistically powerful but is demonstrative of the powerful and wide reaching effects that nanotechnology will have in the future. 

Works Cited

1. "NANOBAMA." NANOBAMA. Web. 21 May 2016.

2. "NANOMANDALA: Description and Technical Set-up." NANO. UCLA. Web. 21 May 2016.

3. Muscat, Richard, and Wenjing Meng. An Autonomous Molecular Assembler for Programmable Chemical Synthesis. Web. May-June 2016.

4. Malcolm, Chris. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Visible Space. Web. 21 May 2016.

5. Lovgren, Stefan. "Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Web. 21 May 2016.

6. Feder, Barnaby J. "The Art of Nanotech." Bits The Art of Nanotech Comments. Web. 21 May 2016.

Event Post...Lasers

   

Event post: Fourth State of Matter

After attending,  Dr. Geckelberg's seminar on Plasma and the nature of its physical research, I was enthralled surprisingly not only at the scientific applications, but more so at useful artistic value that the data can draw. 

One such example, was the how the display of Dr Geckelberg's findings were presented in puzzling yet intriguing loop-like and colorful rings. Not only are such findings crucial to understand the vector fields in question, but they also happen to produce magnificent artwork. 

In addition to Dr. Geckelman's findings, Artist Megan Lindman spoke of the various impacts that certain chemicals like Oxcytocin impact our capacity to love others and seek pleasure. Following her explanation, she displayed her paintings in which part of each color had actual Oxytocin  mixed into the shades. Ultimately, to produce a more visually appealing portrait. In my opinion, her lecture signified the codependency that science has with Art. Although art often is seen to be abstracted away from the various sciences, much of the inspiration behind artful pieces such as mrs. Lindman's depend on inspiration of science. Likewise, without artists and other creative thinkers, it is impossible to internalize such ideas and feelings

without the useful display of art.

Such examples not only enlighten me on the scientific applications to art, but also inspire me to possibly take a subject seemingly distant from art and draw meaningful and intensifying pieces of art. 

One interesting, controversial, and yet revolutionary implementation, is the use of robots in art production. Using various programs involving randomized sampling in Statistics, computer programs can simulate various shapes, textures, and color combinations to plot on both 2D and 3D surfaces, thus offering more possibilities for jaw dropping pieces of art.  

Works Cited

"Basic Plasma Science Facility at UCLA." BaPSF. UCLA. Web. 20 May 2016.

González-Banos, Hector. "A Randomized Art-gallery Algorithm for Sensor Placement." Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Symposium on Computational Geometry - SCG '01 (2001). Web.

Maeda, John. "Artists and Scientists: More Alike Than Different."Scientific American Blog Network. Web. 20 May 2016.

Pappas, Stephanie. "Oxytocin: Facts About the 'Cuddle Hormone'"LiveScience. TechMedia Network. Web. 20 May 2016.

manuelcDESMA9: Neuroscience and Art

Dear Manuel,

I found your commentary on the social norms to be very interesting. Furthermore, I enjoyed your connection and analysis for Freud and his commentary on Human and social desires

Week 7 Blog Post

Neuroscience and Technology

Physical and emotional traits are becoming more accurately traced with neurological measures to read brainwave activity. Scientists from the Lieber institute have created a serum that allows for neural functions to be restored. Often many lack motor functions due to problems associated with individual cells in the brain. The serum provides cells that lack receptors for electrical charge the vital nutrients and impulses needed for neural activity. Doctors are now considering such technology both a more accurate and noninvasive method to monitor vitals and nutrient uptake for patients suffering from a variety of diseases. 


Many researchers  have underscored the affinity of art . Recent theories suggest that our heightened recognition for symmetry  as well as proportionality in artwork lies in evolution. Natural selection enables humans to find such shapes visually pleasing in order to become more aware and alert against predators and common prey, which seem to  also have symmetric anatomies. Additionally, after using brain imaging technology, we are able to understand how structures such as the Amygdala, are stimulated after looking at paintings both blurry and clear. For example, after careful measurement, it was noted that humans devoted less neural processing for blurry images due to our lack of emotions in response to a bland image. 

By  engraving in a meticulous and detailed level, Greg Dunn has micro etched a new set of artworks. Dunn's quality artwork is clearly a result of his throughout understanding and expression of the brain. By not only etching thousands of neurons , but also by drawing the ever reaching axons, one almost feels as though the engraving is a frame of an electroscope.   

With the collaboration between the University of Houston and the Blaffer art museum, a carefully designed and creative piece of software has tied an EEG with a projected light,  thus allowing for a new and dynamic method of expression. By wearing the EEG, one , is able to directly emote his feelings through dance. The eeg detects  and measures the emotion given , and then emits luminous strobes of light. Such piece of technology, offers massive potential to revolutionize the art of dance, using nuero-scientific principles. 


Works Cited:

Rose, Glibert J. "Whence the Feelings from Art." Psychoanalysis, Music, Art and Neuroscience Between Couch and Piano: 36-56. Web.

Landau, Elizabeth. "What the Brain Draws From: Art and Neuroscience." CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 14 May 2016.

"Injectable Electronics Holds Promise for Basic Neuroscience, Treatment of Neuro-degenerative Diseases." Injectable Electronics Holds Promise for Basic Neuroscience, Treatment of Neuro-degenerative Diseases. Web. 14 May 2016.

"Microetchings | Greg Dunn Design." Greg Dunn Design. Web. 14 May 2016.

Arriens, Jessica. "Research Areas." At the Intersection of Neuroscience and Art. Web. 14 May 2016.

jackbDESMA9: Week 6

Dear Jack,

I enjoyed your blog post with regards to your response on the possible dangers of human creativity. Furthermore I enjoyed your commentary on the organ drawn to look both realistic as well as unrealistic.

Week 6 Blog Post

Biotechnology and Art

With the advent of genetic engineering and its application for modern uses in order to advance the standard of living among many populations around the globe. Much controversy has been brought about, especially in the last few decades. From debates regarding the issue of identity and its lack of existence in the near future, many artists have capitalized on the expression of ideas surrounding this complicated topic. 

Originally thought to be seemingly inconceivable, modern day genetic and bio-engineers have began to created and develop methods of producing superior strains of genes to sustain harsher climates for plant life that make up much of our forests. Thus, the application and development of such a niche field is in itself an art and requires a mode of deep creative thought.

In addition to the advent of potentially modifying forests with modern biotechnological abilities, The GMO industry has thrived recently with the release of foods that are both easier to harvest and are more commercially available. Unfortunately, many worry about the possible disadvantages regarding the impacts to health as a direct result of consumption. Artist and Music producer Neil Young, in his 36 studio album, comments on the dangers and ignorance that society faces among companies like Monsanto and their influence on GMOs used each day. His album cover, as shown above, clearly expresses the issue of such problems and how much has changed more recently.

 Pharmacogenetics is another area of study that has grown rapidly in recent yeas. As genes play a bigger role for the medical profession, the demand for processing and treating people requires the processing of genetic information. Thus, many scientists have, like many artists who use creative intuition, have and continue to develop pill capsules that relay genetic information of the patients who ingest the creatively engineered pills.

Works Cited

DaSilva, Edgar. "Art, Biotechnology and the Culture of Peace." Electronic Journal of Biotechnology. Web.

Dawes, Terry. "Neil Young, GMOs and Monsanto: Why the Artist Picked the Wrong Fight This Time - Cantech Letter." Cantech Letter. 2015. Web. 09 May 2016.

Fung, Eric T. "Pharmacogenetics for the Rest of Us | GEN Magazine Articles | GEN." GEN. Web. 09 May 2016.

Perry, Tekla S. "Two Andrews and an Algorithm Aim to Accelerate Drug Discovery." IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. 2016. Web. 09 May 2016.

Strauss, Steven H., and H. David. Bradshaw. The Bioengineered Forest: Challenges for Science and Society. Washington, DC: Resources for the Future, 2004. Print.