Final Project: Holographic Travel Chamber

Here is a link to my final project:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwBpFnjRdXLpaFZ3cVlCZEVfOVk/view?usp=sharing

Event 3: Getty Museum's Light, Paper, Process: Reinventing Photography

For my third event, I decided to visit the Getty Museum, one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. I have been to the Getty Museum on several occasions, as well as the Getty Villa, for past classes in the Classics department. Instead of viewing the vast collection of ancient Greek sculptures and architecture, I decided to take a look at the Reinventing Photography exhibit.

Although I have always been interested in photography, I have never studied the subject. My knowledge of the field only extends to what was taught in the Introduction to Cinematography classes on campus. The art in the exhibit really showed me how photography has come. Photography today does not necessarily have to be a single moment in time anymore, as shown by the multimedia artists contained within the exhibits. 

La Brea D2AB, 2013 - Matthew Brandt

One of my favorite pieces within the exhibit was Matthew Brandt's La Brea. He was inspired to create the series after photographing exhibits of prehistoric animals at the Page Museum. Brandt then utilized the labor-intensive heliograph process to create the piece, where metal plates are coated with a sticky, tarlike substance that hardens with exposure to sunlight. More interestingly, Brandt used actual tar from the La Brea tar pits to create the work of art. Looking at the image, you can see that Brandt intended to convey a sense of loss for creatures that no longer exist, using the fossilized skeletons of animals to represent their memory.

Lunagrams, 2010 - Lisa Oppenheim

The other work of art I enjoyed was Lisa Oppenheim's Lunagrams #1-13. To create the series, Oppenheim borrowed glass-plate negatives depicting the moon made by John and Henry Draper in the 1850's. "She then made large-format copy negatives, placed them on photographic paper, then exposed them to the moon at the time of the lunar phase depicted in the original" (Sholis). In this piece, she shows how photography can capture durations of time using different photography techniques and new mediums. The series is as mesmerizing as it must have been for the first astronomers to study the moon's phases.

After going through this exhibit, I realized how dynamic of a field photography actually is. There is a variety of ways to bring new twists to traditional photography, such as was depicted above. Throughout the exhibit, I could see the effortless crossover between art and various fields of science, such as paleontology and astrology. Without this course, I don't think I would have been able to recognize that the interplay between different fields in each work of art.

Works Cited:

Brandt, Matthew. "Matthew Brandt." Yossimilo.com. Yossi Milo Gallery, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015. <http://www.yossimilo.com/artists/matthew-brandt/>.

"Lisa Oppenheim." Klosterfelde.de. Klosterfelde, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015. <http://cgi.klosterfelde.de/user-cgi-bin/exhibitions/?s1=previous&s2=2010&s3=Lisa_Oppenheim>.

Sholis, Brian. "Lisa Oppenheim: Elemental Process." Aperture Foundation NY. Aperture Foundation NY, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015. <http://www.aperture.org/blog/lisa-oppenheim-elemental-process/>.

Event 2: Fowler Museum

For my second event, I decided to visit Vivan Sundaram’s Making Strange: Gagawaka + Postmortem exhibition at the Fowler Museum. It was the first time I ever stepped inside the museum despite having a handful of classes no more than 50 steps away from its entrance. Needless to say, I was amazed at how big the museum actually was and wish I took advantage of its convenient location on campus over the past few years.

Dress made of recycled red bras

This sculpture made of braided hair was a bit unsettling, but interesting

When I first entered the exhibit, I was in awe of the bizarreness of Sundaram’s sculptures. I began with Gagawaka and made my way through half of the pieces there before finally realizing what Sundaram meant when he titled his entire exhibit Making Strange. Each piece was made of familiar items such as red bras, surgical masks, and braided hair; however, he made them unfamiliar by creating unusual items of clothes with them. In a behind the scenes video, Sundaram explains how he created each piece using recycled items to create an anti-aesthetic effect.  The Gagawaka portion of the exhibit seemed to be a satirical view of today’s fashion.

Moving over to Postmortem, Sundaram incorporates medicine and science with art in his pieces. While he emphasizes the surface of the human body in Gagawaka with clothes, in Postmortem he focuses on the inside. He placed medical educational tools (models of the human spine, organs etc.) into the bodies of the mannequins. Without this course, I do not believe I would understand the importance of Sundaram’s decision to incorporate science in his art.

Here is a video preview of the Making Strange exhibition for those of you who are on the fence about going to the Fowler Museum! I definitely recommend this exhibit because it is relevant to the DESMA 9 course and is extremely fascinating.

Works Cited:

"Making Strange: Gagawaka + Postmortem by Vivan Sundaram." Fowler. Fowler Museum at UCLA, n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. <http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/exhibitions/making-strange-gagawaka-postmortem-vivan-sundaram>.

Sundaram, Vivan. "Vivan Sundaram Talks about GAGAWAKA." Artforum.com. Art Forum, 20 Dec. 2011. Web. 29 May 2015. <http://artforum.com/words/id=29889>.

Sundaram, Vivan. "Vivan Sundaram's "Making Strange"" YouTube. YouTube, 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 29 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DRX4dlBA-w>.

Week 9: Space + Art

Curiosity rover's self-portrait on Mars

Over the past few weeks, the recurring theme of science and art as overlapping disciplines has become more and more apparent with all the new forms of technological collaboration from neuroscience and nanotechnology to biotechnology and space. Many areas including biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence and practically every other field within science and technology have advanced enough to explore areas far beyond the comprehensible boundaries of Earth. All while advancements in art have seemingly leveled off in comparison. So is art actually getting closer to science as we have attempted to cover throughout this quarter?

In my opinion, the answer is yes. While scientists endeavor to understand the intricacies of the world’s structure and explore spaces never traveled to by humanity, artists are seeking to expose the deeper implications of such scientific advancements. From this perspective, art is not only growing closer to science, but is also complementary and essential to the growth of science. Just as Buckminster Fuller once said, “the further art advances the closer it approaches science, the further science advances the closer it approaches art” (Vesna).

"The Jetsons: Little Bundle of Trouble"

In addition to the previously studied focuses of science, space science is a field that has made great strides over the past hundred years. The space race between the US and USSR during the Cold War, mankind’s first steps on the moon, and the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars have all sparked the imagination of the public and inspired artists to write about the future. Pop culture shows such as “The Jetsons” and “Star Trek” influence the way we imagine space and the future of our world to involve extraterrestrial beings, flying cars and robots with artificial intelligence. With much of the general populace indifferent to space exploration, space art in its many forms plays an extremely important role in generating broader interest towards the field across the board.

"First Steps" Mitchell Jamieson, 1963

"The astronomical artist will always be far ahead of the explorer. They can depict scenes that no human eye will ever see, because of their danger, or their remoteness in time and space" 

-Arthur C. Clarke (NASA).

A clear example of space art is the NASA Art Program which was started in 1962. The program was founded as an effort to “present NASA’s discoveries and cutting-edge research to the public in a way that would be more accessible than complex scientific reports” (NASA). This program allowed artists to create depictions of NASA’s landmark achievements.

Works Cited:

"Curiosity Self-Portrait at 'Mojave' on Mount Sharp." Nasa.gov. NASA, 24 Feb. 2015. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6976>.

"The Daily Galaxy." The Daily Galaxy. The Daily Galaxy, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/10/unknown-forces-causing-milky-way-galaxy-to-wobble.html>.

Dunbar, Brian. "The NASA Art Program." NASA.gov. NASA, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://www.nasa.gov/connect/artspace/creative_works/feature-inception.html>.

Dunbar, Brian. "NASA Art Space." NASA.gov. NASA, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://www.nasa.gov/connect/artspace/galleries/art_program/ArtProgramGallery.html>.

"The Jetsons: Little Bundle of Trouble." YouTube. YouTube, 12 May 2015. Web. 28 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS8GRm2XTck>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Introduction to Buckminster Fuller." Bfi.org. Buckminster Fuller Institute, n.d. Web. 28 May 2015. <https://bfi.org/about-fuller/biography/introduction-buckminster-fuller>.

Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

Before this week’s lecture, I knew nothing about nanotechnology, the field’s advancements, and its relevance in our daily lives. As an economics major, the only time I ever walked past the California Nanosystems Institute building was to grab lunch at the café across from it. Now I understand that we are exposed to nanoparticles by means of the common products we use daily. Silver nanoparticles are used in fabric because they make clothing odor-resistant and kill bacteria and zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in “industrial coatings to protect wood, plastic and textiles from UV ray exposure” (Understandingnano).

Nanotechnology is especially promising in the realm of medicine and can provide great benefits for society. Currently, nanotechnology is being used as the basis for more effective drug delivery systems. In processes such as chemotherapy, scientists hope to use nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells. Nanoparticles are also used to absorb oxygen free radicals and release them in less dangerous states.

Aside from the real-life applications, nanotechnology has also made advancements in art. Paul Rothemund, a Caltech researcher, pioneered a technique called “DNA origami” that “can weave any two-dimensional shape or pattern using DNA molecules” (Than). Rothemund uses a single, long strand of DNA that folds and is stapled together with short strands when heated up automatically. Examples of his work are the smiley face and star shown above. It is mind-blowing to think that nanotechnology allows us to play with the building blocks of life. Simple changes in our genetic coding could have led us to be dogs or gorillas, yet here Rothemund is able to manipulate it to create art (Rothemund).

Another example of nanotechnology and art colliding is Shawn Douglas’s transformation of DNA into a molecular equivalent of sculptor’s clay (Yong). He uses DNA strands to form sculptures 20 to 40 nanometers in size. He begins with a computer using series of single DNA helixes and removes sections until he is satisfied with the design. Douglas has designed a monolith, railed bridge, square nut, and much more. Douglas’ work is an extension of Rothemund’s DNA origami.

"Plasticity in Steel Micro-Pillars" Siddhardtha Pathak

Nanoartist Cris Orfescu is known for creating the NanoArt Exhibition which provides viewers with glimpses into nano-size landscapes that have been colorized using digital photography software (Discovery).

Works Cited:

"Nanotechnology and You – Your Future Might Be Very, Very Tiny." OmniNano.com. OmniNano, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.omninano.org/nano/our-future-and-nanotech>.

"Nanoparticle Applications and Uses ." UnderstandingNano.com. UnderstandingNano, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.understandingnano.com/nanoparticles.html>.

Rothemund, Paul. "DNA Folding, in Detail." Paul Rothemund:The Astonishing Promise of DNA Folding. TED, 4 Sept. 2008. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_details_dna_folding#t-541540>.

Siddartha, Pathak. "Extraordinary Beauty of the NanoArt World: Photos : DNews." DNews. N.p., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. <http://news.discovery.com/tech/scientists-artists-nanoart-exhibition-111109.htm>. 

Than, Ker. "DNA Art: Origami Goes Nano." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 15 Mar. 2006. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/634-dna-art-origami-nano.html>.

Yong, Ed. "DNA Sculpture and Origami – a Meeting of Art and Nanotechnology." Science Blogs: Not Exactly Rocket Science. N.p., 20 May 2009. Web. <http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/05/20/dna-sculpture-and-origami-a-meeting-of-art-and-nanotechnol/>.

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

While reading Neuroculture by Giovanni Frazzetto and Suzanne Anker, I was intrigued by the product of neuroculture known as neuroaesthetics. Neuroaesthetics is a new field of research that “considers the subjective aspect of aesthetic experiences in the creation and appreciation of art works to be superimposed upon common and universal neural circuits” (Anker 815). Scientists in this field attempt to combine neurological research with aesthetics by investigating our brain functions and mental states while experiencing art and music. Here, we can already see a direct connection between two different fields of study (neuroscience and art) and how they can be further understood by studying human behavior as well.

Neuroscience can possibly reveal the building blocks of our personality, consciousness, and the way we make decisions, among others. Semir Zeki, a neuroscientist and professor at the University College of London, states on his blog that “art is a human activity…and obeys the laws of the brain” (Zeki). He likes to say that art is experienced by the brain and created by the brain. This reminds of Gall’s phrenology mentioned by Professor Vesna and implies that there is a region of the brain directly correlated to the creation of art. 

Patrick Hughes Popper

A perfect example of the way our brains perceive art is Patrick Hughes’ gallery, “Reverspective,” which offers stunning visual illusions. Although we know his paintings are two dimensional, we are met with a disorientating experience because the paintings create the effect of a 3-dimensional space. The brain perceives his work as if there were physical corridors we could walk through, challenging the way we think about how our eyes and brain perceives visuals.

Michelangelo's Expulsion from Paradise

With the proliferation of new neuroscience technology such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuroscientists have been able to experiment with how the brain reacts to art. In an experiment involving Michelangelo’s Expulsion from Paradise, it was found that the gesture of Adam’s wrist bent back was enough to “excite areas in the primary motor cortex that controlled the observer’s own wrists” (Smithsonian).

Aside from how the brain processes images, artists have also experimented with mind-altering substances such as cocaine, LSD, and other drugs. In one of the most creative and absurd experiments I’ve ever heard of, artist Bryan Lewis Saunders decided to take a different drug every day and create a self-portrait of himself while under the influence in order to see how his perception of self would change. 

Works Cited:

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. "Science and Society - PERSPECTIVES." Neuroculture 10 (2009): 815-21. Nature Reviews. Macmillan Publishers, Nov. 2009. Web.

Hughes, Patrick. "Reverspective." Www.patrickhughes.co.uk. Patrick Hughes, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.patrickhughes.co.uk/gallery/painting/>.

Lucero, LeAnna. "Phrenology." Phrenology. LeAnna Lucero, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. <https://sites.google.com/site/physiciki/Home/pseudoscience/period-2/phrenology>.

Luxton, Rebecca. "A Man Got High on 52 Different Drugs Then Drew These Trippy Self-Portraits." RYOT News. RYOT, 24 July 2014. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.ryot.org/bryan-saunders-self-portraits-drugs/765053>.

Tucker, Abigail. "History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian." Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-does-the-brain-process-art-80541420/>.

Zeki, Semir. "Statement on Neuroesthetics." Neuroesthetics.org. Neuroesthetics, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.neuroesthetics.org/statement-on-neuroesthetics.php>.

Event 1: Hammer Museum

Over the past two years, I must have walked past the Hammer Museum at least two hundred times without setting foot past the first step into the building. Venturing into the museum to see the exhibits never really crossed my mind. However, I was ecstatic to see the museum on the list of recommended events because it gave me a reason to finally see what I've been missing.

One of the first things I noticed upon my entrance into the museum were these interesting chairs out in the courtyard. Immediately, I sat down and started spinning around until I was dizzy and felt like I was going to fall over. When I learned that the chairs were part of the Provocations exhibit by the Heatherwick Studio, I knew it had to be the first one I visit.

Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio features a variety of innovative design concepts ranging from small products, such as the chairs above, to large architectural projects. The Heatherwick Studio began each project with a question, such as "Can a rotationally symmetrical form make a comfortable chair?" before designing a prototype in an attempt to answer the question. In creating the spinning chairs, titled Spun, the studio considered ergonomics and geometric shapes to design a chair that could be made using metal spinning techniques. The entire exhibit is an example of the intermingling of math, science and art.

I also visited The Catch by Lauren Bon and Metabolic Studio. The exhibit is based on Lauren Bon's interest in figuring out "how to retain our water and how to send the rest of it out to the sea cleaner" (Bon). The exhibit featured a droning sound with heavy bass which created ripples in the water. The light above the bowl of water in tandem with the ripples created a shadow resembling flowing water. Lauren Bon's The Catch incorporates science by using light and vibration to turn the bowl of water into a lens.

I definitely would recommend the Hammer Museum to anyone. I felt as though I was able to appreciate the exhibits at the museum much more because of the topics covered in this course. I was able to identify the interactions of a variety of disciplines with art through the recommended exhibits.

Works Cited:

[1] Agsten, Allison. "Lauren Bon's "Devices of Wonder" - Hammer Museum." The Hammer Museum. The Hammer       Museum, 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 May 2015. <http://hammer.ucla.edu/blog/2015/03/lauren-bons-devices-of-wonder/>.
[2] "Hammer Museum: Photo Credit: Http://hammer.ucla.edu/about/museum_board_and_staff.html." UCLA Life Blog. UCLA, 07 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 May 2015. <http://blog.admissions.ucla.edu/2012/03/07/what-happens-when-800-degrees-meets-the-hammer-museum/hammer-museum-photo/>.