DESMA 9 Week 9 - Space + Art

 I'd like to start off with this Ted Talk, in which retired colonel Chris Hadfield recounts his experience with space travel.

 He discusses how to deal with the pressure of space travel, an extremely dangerous setting. One quote stood out to m
e, “… because you realize that by the end of the day, you´re either floating effortlessly, gloriously in space or you´ll be dead.”

 One such case was the Challenger mission, which reminded of part of a book I read a few years ago on Richard Feynman's life. The chapter was an excerpt from a technical documents on the Challenger mission- "Appendix  F - Personal observations on the reliability of the Shuttle" by Richard Feynman.
 <http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-l/docs/rogers-commission/Appendix-F.txt>

 In it, he describes faults in NASA's method of assessing risk and probability of failure. As he describes, some of this error was due to conflicts between the management and the scientists. He ends with a quote that I think is very relevant to scientific advancements in general, regardless of field. "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled." (Feynman, Conclusion)
 This goes back even to Copernicus and his conflict with the ideologies of the Church, which was basically the government. Looking at how government, religion, and science has clashed in the past is especially interesting now, with space technologies transitioning from the government sector to the private sector.

 This gives the responsibility of developments to private companies, with their own livelihood at risk. So then, what incentives do they have to research space exploration? This Ted Talk covers three main reasons: curiosity, fear, and wealth.

 

 Fear is definitely a large motivator, a classic example is the space race caused by the launching of Sputnik. I know we talked about it in lecture, but I still thought this TedTalk was interesting.

 Art can bolster the desire to improve because of fear through media and propaganda, though more causing fear than inspiring.
 Curiosity is the most ideological of the three- dreaming as a child about space and growing up to take an active role in space exploration. Art can help definitely promote curiosity, and has been doing so for generations. From movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, to tv shows like Dr. Who and Futurama, to rides at Disneyland and books such as Dune and Ender's Game, many of these have stirred curiosity in people about what's out there, what is the limit and can we reach it? This Ted Talk shows another type of art that can be inspiring, one more fused with science.


Sources:
Hadfield, Chris. "Chris Hadfield: What I Learned from Going Blind in Space." YouTube. TED, 14 Mar. 2014. Web. 31 May 2015.
Shannon, Tom. "Tom Shannon's Gravity-defying Sculpture." YouTube. TED, 6 May 2009. Web. 31 May 2015. 
Hoffman, David. "David Hoffman: Catch Sputnik Mania!" YouTube. TED, 4 Apr. 2008. Web. 31 May 2015.
Diamandis, Peter. "Peter Diamandis: Taking the next Giant Leap in Space." YouTube. TED, 4 Sept. 2008. Web. 31 May 2015. 
Feynman, Richard. "Appendix F - Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle." Kennedy Space Center, NASA. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, 29 June 2001. Web. 31 May 2015. .

DESMA 9 week 8- Art + Nanotech

Nanotechnology is something I wasn't familiar with at all, and it was a little bit of a surprise to me how common it was in our lives-- something as simple as the silver nanoparticals on my socks. I guess I'd assumed that I would just know about important developments in technology, such as GMOs. The potential for nanotechnology seems almost limitless, from applications in cosmetics to medicine.

 This TedTalk gives a quick demo related to the hydrophobic properties of the lotus leaf discussed in part 3 of the lecture series.

The Project of Emerging Nanotechnologies was very informative with developements in applying nanotechnology to medicine. 

http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/medicine/

The more familiar we are with a subject, the more we understand it. I think nanoart is extreemly important to extend interest and understanding of nanotechnology to a broader range of people, not just scientists, doctors, manufacturers. It reminded me of our week looking at math and art, how a focus on developing better artistic techniques helped also develop mathematical techniques. Concepts involving depth, perception, and the relation between 2d and 3d that are general knowledge now weren't necessarily so back in Leonardo da Vinci's time. Art had the potential to benifit nanotechnology in the same way. An example of this is an interactive exhibition on nanotechnology put on by UCLA and LACMA in 2003(described in the article linked below). 

"'I don't expect people to understand quantum physics,' Gimzewski said. 'But I expect them to notice what happens when they go through the exhibit. I'd like them to ask, 'What does this mean?"' "

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology_2.html

Art has the same appeal. Looking at these photos below, someone who hasn't taken many science classes might not recognize them as magnetic fields, but their interest could still be sparked. 

Wanting to find out what those pictures are, how they were taken, these questions would lead to a gaining of knowledge of magnetic fields. Using art, we can create and engaging and enticing open door into the world of nanotechnology. Like genetic modification, the more we know nanotechnology, the better equipped we are to make decisions about when and where it should be present in our lives.

Sources: 

Shaw, Mark. "Mark Shaw: One Very Dry Demo." YouTube. TED, 26 Mar. 2013. Web. 24 May 2015. 

Linke, Heiner. "What Nanoscience Can Do to Change Our Future for the Better: Heiner Linke." YouTube. TEDx Talks, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 May 2015.  

Ed Simpson, Yasuhiko Hayashi, Takeshi Kasama and Rafal Dunin-Borkowski. Magnetic Nanotubes. Nd. Nanotechnology Now. Web. 24 May 2015.

Takeshi Kasama, Rafal Dunin-Borkowski, Krzysztof Koziol, Alan Windle. Magnetic field of an iron crystal inside a carbon nanotube. Nd. Nanotechnology Now. Web. 24 May 2015.

Lovgren, Stefan. "Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 23 Dec. 2003. Web. 24 May 2015.  

"Nanotechnology Project." PEN News. Web. 24 May 2015.

 

DESMA 9 week 6: BioTech + Art

When considering genetic manipulation, I always think of the Jurassic Park movies- partly because they're just really good movies and I like them a lot, but also because they have some great quotes relevant to these discussions.

The artists presented in lecture seem to take a slightly different position- focusing more on how we should move forward in the biotech industry rather than if we should be pursuing development at all.
 By actively participating in genetic manipulation or other biotechnological art forms, artists such as Eduardo Kac, and Orlan try to see science from other perspectives- ultimately its implications on how we value life. Some of these points are covered below.

How we value non human life

One quite from Eduardo Kac's GPF Bunny with respect to his work really stood out to me- "This must be done with great care, with acknowledgment of the complex issues thus raised and, above all, with a commitment to respect, nurture, and love the life thus created." Many domestic animals are looked at as objects- whether lab rats or ill-treated pets. The discussion of genetic manipulations is part of how we value non-human life, and seeing animals as individuals that we can learn a lot from. This Ted Talk touches on some things that are related to understanding our relationship with animals.

How we value human qualities and diversity
Orlan's art brings up questions of how we value human life, looking at aesthetic beauty. In an interview, she says, "Beauty is the product of the dominant ideology.... This is very relevant also in all the beauty standarts out of occident that I am interested in and that I question in my work." Physical aesthetics has always been a controversial part of humanity, both idolizing it and trying to make it insignificant. This Ted Talk gives some insight into evolutionary aspects of aesthetics.

The future of genetics with respect to attributes such as intelligence, beauty, and physical capabilities has a huge question mark. If we can control the human genome, should we? Who would these procedures be available to? How will it affect our society around the world, and how we value a human life? With so much diversity in our world, we try to cultivate respect and value for everyone, but how does the game change when we can control the genetic lottery?


Sources:

TED. "Dennis Dutton: A Darwinian theory of beauty." Online video clip. YouTube. Nov 16. 2010. Web. May 10 2015.

TED. "Laurel Braitman: Depressed dogs, cats with OCD - what animal madness means for us humans." Online video clop. YouTube. Aug 21. 2014. Web. May 10 2015.

Orlan. "ORLAN Talks Plastic Surgery, Beauty Standards And Giving Her Fat To Madonna." Huffington Post. Jan 29. 2013. Web. May 10 2015.

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP Bunny." KAC. 2000. Web. May 10 2015.

"Jurassic Park". Steven Spielberg. Perf. Jeff Goldblum. Universial Pictures, 1993. DVD.
Photo from: Panda Whale, Adam Rifkin <http://pandawhale.com/post/59968/your-scientists-were-so-preoccupied-with-whether-they-could-that-they-didnt-stop-to-think-if-they-should-dr-ian-malcolm-jurassic-park>

DESMA9 Week 2- Math + Art

This week I noticed some of the different ways science is incorporated in art- technical ways, such as the develop net of linear perspective; as the subject of a piece of art; and used through art to with relation to humanity.

It was interesting to learn about the development of mathematical equations and principles that could accurately depict appropriate size and scaling of objects within a painting, illustrated by the transition from works such as Duccio to those like Brunelleschi's.

These both contrast with Escher's works, such as Relativity.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Escher%27s_Relativity.jpg

In the previous two artists, mathematics influenced the portrayal of other objects; mathematics itself wasn't a subject in the paintings. Escher's works directly incorporate it- what sparks our interest is the mathematical or physical impossibilities present in the scene, not necessarily what is going on. Ie, people walking on staircases in a versus a scene with three distinct points of gravity. Escher's works sometimes resemble optical illusions, possibly because he was influenced by the Penrose stairs.

http://www.optical-illusion-pictures.com/paradox.html

Theo Jansons kinetic creations called 'Strandbeests', featured in his Ted talk from the resources tab, are his idea of creating another life form. The precision required to build these creatures  is incredible, and hints to a possible future where this type of kinematics combined with technology could be a form of artificial intelligence.

There are many dystopian novels that use science and technology to comment on  society,  often creating a syfy or futuristic setting such as 'brave new world'. 'flatlands' takes it a step further, creating a world not even human, but composed of linear and geometric shapes. Uses this setting steeped in mathematics in part to comment on caste systems and how our society handles information and progress.

http://www.integralworld.net/slaughter1.html

One thing that stood out to me in the suggested shows and movies was the emphasis of empathy in the tv show NUMB3RS. It contrasted the main character, a brilliant mathematician, with other typical characters who show either disregard to human life, or a misguided view of humanity, such as a serial killer or a scientist who justifies the murder of a few to aid the greater good. Often science and technology is presented in a negative way (think back to brave new world or the mad scientist) and it was interesting to see a 'good guy' mathematician.

Citations

Escher, M. C. Relativity. 1953. Cornelius Van S. Roosevelt Collection, Netherlands. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Harris, Beth, and Steven Zucker. "Linear Perspective: Brunelleschi's Experiment." Khan Academy. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/beginners-renaissance-florence/v/linear-perspective-brunelleschi-s-experiement>.

"Paradox Illusions." The Eye's Mind. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.optical-illusion-pictures.com/paradox.html>.

Slaughter, Richard. "Transcending Flatland, Essay by Richard Slaughter." Integral World: Exploring Theories of Everything. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.integralworld.net/slaughter1.html>.

"Theo Jansen: My Creations, a New Form of Life." YouTube. 6 Sept. 2007. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b694exl_oZo>.

DESMA9 Week1- Two Cultures

The division between arts and sciences is something I’ve never really put much thought into. This division has become clearer at UCLA.

 

https://www.facebook.com/517894448330147/photos/pb.517894448330147.-2207520000.1428305940./579403352179256/?type=3&theater

I entered as an applied math major, which placed ne solidly in south campus. This identification as a ‘science-y’ person resonated with me, as I’ve always liked math better than writing or history, but I didn’t give thought to this division between north and south as directly influencing my thoughts.  Last quarter I switched to economics, and it was a little weird being closer to the middle of the spectrum. The parts of Snow’s essay about the perceptions literary intellectuals and scientists have of each other stood out to me. I fear I had fallen into that trap a little last year, segmenting UCLA students and ‘identifying’ with a group, further solidifying the division between arts and sciences.

These differences pointed out in Snow’s essay reminded me of a story I had read in a collection of stories- Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Richard Feynman was an accomplished physicist, and his friend was an artist. They decided to try and teach each other some of their vocations, and so a physicist learned to sketch.

http://www.museumsyndicate.com/artist.php?artist=380

Part of why this interested me was their discussion about beauty; I linked a quote from Feynman below that illustrates it.

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/184384-i-have-a-friend-who-s-an-artist-and-has-sometimes

I think this shows how science can enhance something generally thought to belong to art- beauty. This goes into questioning beauty as something simple or deriving from understanding, as a simple flower is much easier to relate to for me than some of the more abstract sculptures in the sculpture garden, which I know absolutely nothing about.

http://algorithmicbotany.org/papers/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Murphy_Sculpture_Garden

  Similarly, there are many ways in which the humanities can enhance scientific education.

Some of the division possibly derives from the perceived worth of the subjects. As stated in the Changing Education Paradigms animation, our education system is very industry focused, and its ‘purpose’ is to get employed. A running jokes is that south campus majors are guaranteed good jobs, while north campus majors aren’t. Though said commonly as a joke, this hints at a difference in perceived worth between the humanities and sciences. Some hurdles to overcome are these perceptions: stigmas and stereotypes associated with different subjects, and making positive connections- such as what each can contribute or how they can enhance each other- instead of reasons why they’re different.

Citations:

UCLA Snaps community Facebook page. Photograph. n.p. Web. 4/5/2015 <https://www.facebook.com/pages/UCLA-Snaps/517894448330147>

Richard P Feynman, Ralph Leighton, Edward Hutchings. Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!.     1985. New York : W.W. Norton.

Richard P Feynman. Dabney Zorthian. Alphonse Mucha Fine Art. 1964. Photograph. n.p. web. 4/5/2014.

<http://www.museumsyndicate.com/artist.php?artist=380>

Richard Feynman quotes, Goodreads. Web. 4/5/2015. <http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/184384-i-have-a-friend-who-s-an-artist-and-has-sometimes>

Springer-Verlag. The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants. Algorithmic Botany at the University of Calgary. 1990. Web. 4/5/2015. <http://algorithmicbotany.org/papers/>

Jacques Lipchitz. Song of the Vowels. Wikipedia. Photograph. n.p. web. 4/5/2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Murphy_Sculpture_Garden>