Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Event 3 Birthplace of the Internet

For my third event I decided to visit the Birthplace of the Internet at UCLA Boelter Hall. I had only heard about this place recently and never knew that it was on campus even though I walk by that building every week. I actually found the visit very interesting because I got to see all of the computers used.
In this room the first message was sent on the internet to another node at Stanford University. Charley Klein sent the first message saying ARPANET, which will later be known as the Internet. It was not until recently that room 3420 in Boelter Hall became a museum.  I thought that it was very interesting to visit this room because many people do not know that this is where the first message was sent or that it even exists. 
I think that this museum relates to our class when we learned about robotics and art. We learned about many milestones that were made during the connection of robotics and art. The internet was a huge milestone for technological advancements. Although it is just a small room it is a very important part to UCLA history and the history of technology. 

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Week 9: Space + Art

Space and art first began with Copernicus McCulloch Kaepernick when he published his early heliocentric model of the solar system. In this model the sun was in the middle of the solar system but was a little bit off set from the center. This was the first time we had scientifically seen the idea of the sun as being the center of the solar system. Many scientists had this idea before, but this was the first time is was shown in a model for people to see.
The most recent example of the intersection of space and art can be seen in the next upcoming commercial spaceflight participant. Guy Laliberte, the spaceflight participant, is an artist being sent up to space so that he can touch people through an artistic approach a way that he never has before. Edwin Hubble was the first to begin exploring what could be in outer space. Without his artistic creativity he would not have been able to imagine what could possibly be out there 

Without the creativity of artists we may never have known what was out there. Because of their artistic imaginations people were able to discover what was in outer space. This led to many new inventions that help scientists to continue to find out new things about space. 


Sources 

Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers, spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html.

ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE.” ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE, arcticperspective.org/. 

“CODED UTOPIA.” Continental Drift, 18 May 2009, brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/coded-utopia/.

FoustTuesday, Jeff, et al. “When Space and Art Intersect.” The Space Review: When Space and Art Intersect, www.thespacereview.com/article/1460/1.

“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.
Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers, spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html. 
“ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE.” ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE, arcticperspective.org/. 
“CODED UTOPIA.” Continental Drift, 18 May 2009, brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/coded-utopia/. 
FoustTuesday, Jeff, et al. “When Space and Art Intersect.” The Space Review: When Space and Art Intersect, www.thespacereview.com/article/1460/1. 
“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Week 8: Nanotech + Art

In this weeks lesson we learned about nanotechnology and nanoparticles. Very few people realize that nanotechnology is a part of everyday life. Many people do not know that because of the microscopic behavior of nanoparticles. Nanotechnology can be found almost everywhere, from clothes to technology to even food and cosmetics.
 
Nanotechnology is the branch of medicine that deals with dimensions of less then 100 nanometers, and most commonly with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. The ideas and concepts of nanotechnology and nanoscience started with a talk called, "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" by physicist Richard Feynman. Feynman, considered the father of nanotechnology, first described a process in which scientists would be able to manipulate and control individual atoms and molecules. Everything on earth is made up of atoms, which is why everything can be manipulated using nanotechnology. 
Something that I found really interesting about nanotechnology is that it is commonly used in food and we can't even tell. Nanotechnology has been used to make interactive personalized foods, edible nano wrapper to decrease waste, chemical release packaging and can allow flavors to be released in different ways. One Australian company has already been using vitamins that are nano-encapsulated to manufacture bread that has no flavor but still has all the nutritional value. Nanotechnology is a part of everyday life and since the particles are so small we would never even notice it. 
Sources 

“John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.
“Nanowiki.info -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspabout Nanowiki Nanowiki Nanotechnology Nanoscience Journal News Publication Resources and Information.” Nanowiki.info -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspabout Nanowiki Nanowiki Nanotechnology Nanoscience Journal News Publication Resources and Information., nanowiki.info/#[[Findings on Pollution Damage]].
“The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science.” The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.
“What Is Nanotechnology?” Nano, www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition.

“John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.

“Nanowiki.info -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspabout Nanowiki Nanowiki Nanotechnology Nanoscience Journal News Publication Resources and Information.” Nanowiki.info -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspabout Nanowiki Nanowiki Nanotechnology Nanoscience Journal News Publication Resources and Information., nanowiki.info/#[[Findings on Pollution Damage]].

“The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science.” The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.

“What Is Nanotechnology?” Nano, www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition.

Uconlineprogram. "Nanotech Jim Pt6." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKlViSKkPd0>

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

Neuroscience has become very developed throughout the years. Starting with Franz Joseph Gall with phrenology, the examination of the shape of the skull as indication of capabilities and mental capacities. Suzanne Anker was the first artist to use neuroscience as a form of art. She examined the ways in which nature is being altered in the 21st century. One of her most well known pieces was the MRI butterfly. In this she layered butterflies, MRI brain scans, and chromosomes. Not only is she representing the language of bioengineering but she is also raising awareness of the implications of genetic implication.
Combining science and art allows scientists to showcase creative thinking and allows artists to draw inspiration from the human body. The overlap of science and art also brings attention to the fact that two things that were thought to be completely separate can actually be used together. Using art in neuroscience can also help scientists map the brain in different ways.


The advances made in human brain imaging help scientists evaluate brain functions from many perspectives. Showing neuroscience in forms of art also better help people understand how the bran works. 


Sources 

Gameiro, Denise Neves. “Faces of Bioart: Depicting the Psychology of Petri Dishes and Chromosomes with Suzanne Anker.” Labiotech.eu, 15 Aug. 2018, labiotech.eu/bioart/faces-of-bioart-bio-icons-with-suzanne-anker/.
Max, D. T. “Swann's Hypothesis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Nov. 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html.
“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.
“The Interplay between Neuroscience and Art.” Organization for Human Brain Mapping, www.ohbmbrainmappingblog.com/blog/the-interplay-between-neuroscience-and-art.
“Where Art Meets Neuroscience.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stalled-the-verge/201405/where-art-meets-neuroscience.
Gameiro, Denise Neves. “Faces of Bioart: Depicting the Psychology of Petri Dishes and Chromosomes with Suzanne Anker.” Labiotech.eu, 15 Aug. 2018, labiotech.eu/bioart/faces-of-bioart-bio-icons-with-suzanne-anker/.

Max, D. T. “Swann's Hypothesis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Nov. 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html.

“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.

“The Interplay between Neuroscience and Art.” Organization for Human Brain Mapping, www.ohbmbrainmappingblog.com/blog/the-interplay-between-neuroscience-and-art.

“Where Art Meets Neuroscience.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stalled-the-verge/201405/where-art-meets-neuroscience.
Gameiro, Denise Neves. “Faces of Bioart: Depicting the Psychology of Petri Dishes and Chromosomes with Suzanne Anker.” Labiotech.eu, 15 Aug. 2018, labiotech.eu/bioart/faces-of-bioart-bio-icons-with-suzanne-anker/.
Max, D. T. “Swann's Hypothesis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Nov. 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html.
“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.
“The Interplay between Neuroscience and Art.” Organization for Human Brain Mapping, www.ohbmbrainmappingblog.com/blog/the-interplay-between-neuroscience-and-art.
“Where Art Meets Neuroscience.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stalled-the-verge/201405/where-art-meets-neuroscience.
Gameiro, Denise Neves. “Faces of Bioart: Depicting the Psychology of Petri Dishes and Chromosomes with Suzanne Anker.” Labiotech.eu, 15 Aug. 2018, labiotech.eu/bioart/faces-of-bioart-bio-icons-with-suzanne-anker/.
Max, D. T. “Swann's Hypothesis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Nov. 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html.
“NASA.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/.
“The Interplay between Neuroscience and Art.” Organization for Human Brain Mapping, www.ohbmbrainmappingblog.com/blog/the-interplay-between-neuroscience-and-art.
“Where Art Meets Neuroscience.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stalled-the-verge/201405/where-art-meets-neuroscience.



Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Event 2: UCLA Botanical Gardens

For my second event I decided to go to the UCLA Botanical Gardens. I have heard many good things about the garden and decided it was time for me to finally visit. Once I got there I was shocked to see how big it was. It was filled with so many different birds that I was able to see on the self guided tour.  I was unable to see all the birds that were in the brochure but I really enjoyed what I was able to see.

After seeing the birds I decided to walk through the gardens. As I was walking through the garden I was able to see many beautiful flowers and other plants. The garden had such a diverse collection of plants. I really enjoyed being able to go around and learn more about the garden itself. The tour guide said that they are working on making the garden completely self sufficient in irrigation. I found that especially interesting because by becoming completely self sufficient that would help conserve water for the rest of the environment.

Overall I really enjoyed my visit to the garden. I was able to visit a place on campus that I had not been to before. Before going there I was not sure how much I would enjoy it but after my visit I was very happy with my decision to attend the event. I would highly recommend going to the UCLA Botanical Gardens to see everything that it has to offer.


Thursday, May 9, 2019

Week 6: Biotech + Art

Biotechnology and art is a controversial topic that is debated about a lot among artists. Each artist has a different approach to the topic. For example, some artists need to go to a lab directly while others want to collaborate with scientists instead. Bio-art causes a lot of controversy due to the ethics of it. After watching the lectures and doing the readings,  I believe that life is a valid expressive medium. Life can be expressed in many different forms and can be manipulated just like other forms of art.
Artists have begun to use transgenics, producing and organism or cell of one organism into which one or more genes of another species have been incorporated, to change our perception of the human body from a naturally self regulated system to and artificially and electronically controlled one. Changing the genetics of an organism allows the artists to create something new. Transgenics is very controversial when it is used on animals. The artist often times harms the animal and only sees it as its work of art. An example of this is Eduardo Kacs fluorescent rabbit called Alba. Pac inserted genes from a fluorescent jellyfish into an albino rabbit. Albas lifespan was in question after the experiment. 
There are many ethical implications when it comes to biotechnology and art which is why I think the restrictions should be more stringent for artists using biotechnology. Artists should not be allowed to modify the genes in animals because often times the animals end up being harmed. There should not be limits to human creativity, but using animals for art work should be restricted. 
Sources 

“Impacts of Genetically Modified Animals on the Ecosystem and Human Activities.” Taylor & Francis, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/11287462.2014.894709.

Levy, Ellen K. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.” Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.

TRANSGENIC ART by Eduardo Kac, www.ekac.org/transgenic.html.

“Transgenic Bunny by Eduardo Kac.” GNN - Genome News Network, www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/03_02/bunny_art.shtml.

Venter, Craig. “Watch Me Unveil ‘Synthetic Life.’” TED, www.ted.com/talks/craig_venter_unveils_synthetic_life.





Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Midterm Project

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oIaRDTaHHULAO3cEoD81lMi9BerRtRxu/view?usp=sharing

Event 3 Birthplace of the Internet

For my third event I decided to visit the Birthplace of the Internet at UCLA Boelter Hall. I had only heard about this place recently and ne...