Week4 - "MedTech + Art"

Science and technology influence medicine. All of them combine together to give a strong impact on how we, human beings, see our selves and how our bodies are being manipulated. The connection between science, technology and art let us have a clear understanding of how human participate in the general culture. 

Human body has a connection with both medical technologies and arts. The intersection of art and science is a reflection of how our body has been changed over time. The 3D scans of human bodies serves as a great example. The knowledge of bone structures and human anatomy has contributed a lot to the art works historically. The human dissection can be traced back to the Renaissance. Such understanding helped artists in acquiring a better understanding of the human body and structure. With knowledge of structure and forms of the mussel and bones, artists at that time has created lots of amazing works. For instance, "David" created by Michelangelo. The sculptures shows a vivid form of the man David, with detailed portraits of his mussel and blood vessels. 

(Human Dissection, Body Medicine Intro)

(David by Michelangelo)

As technology progress, our perception of our body has also been changed. Medicine was considered as art instead of science before the early 20th century. The technology development eventually changed people's perception of the connection between technology and medicine. X-rays are a good example. X-rays have not only been considered as a medical science but also a origin of new art, which gives lots of influence in the 20th century. Nowadays we use X-rays for manufacturing, for example to exam the details of structural defects. 

(Invention of X-rays - Medicine pt2)

In the TedxAmericanRiviera, Diane Gromala describes the how she has been take picture of road kill since she was a child and how the image lead to a intense visceral response. The findings lead her to find the multimedia influence people's feelings. The continue finding of the structure of bones and its connection with body reaction leaded her to discover the unusual sensation such as cause stress. The finding of art, technology and medicine eventually all link together. 

1. Vesna, Victoria., Body Medicine intro, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zEgn-fZQ8po>

2. David (Michelangelo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo) 

3. Vesna, Victoria., Medicine pt2, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=psjnQarHOqQ>

4. Diane Gromala, TEDxAmericanRiviera, Curative powers of wet, raw beauty <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cRdarMz--Pw>

5. Orlan - Carnal Art (2001) Documentary <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=no_66MGu0Oo>

Week3 - "Robotics + Art"

Robotics has not only influenced but also created art. Most of the works we seen in art are related to industrialization and mass production, which are the essential functions of robotics. As technology continue to develop, Robotics currently not only influence the arts but also our daily lives. 

The examples professor Vesna addressed during lecture further demonstrates such connection between art and Robotics. The first example is the printing press that was further developed by Gutenberg. The printing press has created a great platform for Renaissance and thus the great art pieces can be created, representing the culture of the new era. The machine leads to mass production and started the first assembling line. Such improvement makes the production and spread of books more efficient. Information and new thoughts triggers the creation of new arts in the Renaissance.

(Professor Vesna, Victoria <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dJcPtv7tnKY>)

The other example is the Robots in Japan. As professor Machiko Kusahara illustrated in the video. Robots are representatives of the connection between technology and art. The Japanese Engineers have been possessing a strong interest in creating humanoid robot that have a friendly face. The robots has been used to help and rescue people from the earthquakes and given support to people in times of turmoil. From this point of view, creating robot is not only a job of engineering but also a work for artists. They work together in creating robots that are great in both appearance and functions. 

(Professor Machiko kusahara <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xQZ_sy-mdEU>)

Same points has been demonstrated by David Hanson, who wants to enable robots to have emotions and be able to interact with people. The work is a combination of technology and the creation of art. 

(David Hanson, "Robots that 'show emotion' <http://www.ted.com/talks/david_hanson_robots_that_relate_to_you.html>)

As we can see from the examples, robots are perfect examples of the combination of art, technology industrialization and mass production. The art and robots has been connect with each other and creating new art and cultures ever since hundreds of years ago and the significance of such connection will continue influence our lives. 

1. Vesna, Victoria.  “CoLE.” CoLE. N.p.. Web. 18 Oct 2012. <https://cole.uconline.edu/~UCLA-201209-12F-DESMA-9-1

2. David Hanson, "Robots that 'show emotion' <http://www.ted.com/talks/david_hanson_robots_that_relate_to_you.html>

3. Machiko kusahara <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xQZ_sy-mdEU>)

4. Davis, Douglas. “The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction.” The MIT Press, 1995. Web. 19 Oct. 2012 <http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1576221uid=3739560&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101286048881>

5. Robotic Art <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotic_art>

Week2 - "Math + Art"

Math is a bridge that relates art and science  together. The connection formed by mathematics combines "art" and "science" and thus lead to the creation of many of the great artistic works in our lives. In the lecture, the professor introduced several mathematicians, scientist and even artist who believe in the mix of art and science. 

(Professor Vesna, Victoria. "DESMA9 LECTURE 2. Math + Art" )

Brunelleschi  was credited with the first correct formulation of linear perspective about 1413. He realized that there exist a vanishing point in which all parallel lines would converge. He correctly calculated the length of objects from the length of the objects behind the canvas. He was able to do this because he was trained in the principles of Geometry and surveying methods. Another artist spent a lot of time on mathematics, and introduced the golden ratio of the human body to the world. He also used mathematicians in drawing up inventions for many of the technology we now have but was unthinkable at his times. In addition, his masterpiece of the "Last Dinner" and Mona Lisa both incorporated math in completing the art work.

(The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci)

(Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci)

(The Last Dinner, by Leonardo Da Vinci)

What I have learn through this week's lecture and suggested reading is that mathematics is actually everywhere around us in terms of art works and buildings. Architectural design may be consider an art, but it incorporates many of mathematics such as shapes of buildings and the ability to draw pictures in perspectives because after all the final building are 3-D instead of 2-D. I have always heard of golden mean and golden ratio and how Da Vinci has wonderful art piece, but did not realize these were all created with the help of mathematics. In the end, I can fully understand how art and science can relate through the application of mathematics in both fields.






Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-2-view?module_item_id=970424>

The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vitruvian_Man>

Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa>

The Last Dinner, by Leonardo Da Vinci, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)>

Henderson, Linda. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” MIT Press. 17.3 (1984): 205-10. Print.

Week 1 - “Two Cultures”

The TED talk by Fabian Oefner is very intriguing. He began by showing a few pictures that relate art and science. Oefner believes that art and science are simply responses to our surrounding with different approach, whereas art takes the emotional way and science takes an rational path. He wants to create pictures that not only speaks to the viewer's heart but also to the viewers' brain. I believe this is the essence of merging "two cultures" and creating a "third culture".  (Picture1: Strange liquid that behaves in very peculiar ways) http://www.ted.com/talks/fabian_oefner_psychedelic_science.html As a student studying in accounting. I feel the mixture of two culture everyday. Accounting itself is the combination both mathematics (Science) and language (Art). We need both elements to help understand the situations and create the the "third culture" -- the Financial Report. Mathematics is used to calculate numbers to and make sure the numbers are corrected on the Financial Report. Language is needed to communicate with clients to confirm the data provided. In addition, potential investors needs this product of the third culture - the financial report to make decision in investing. Attractive Annual Reports also play a role. (Picture2: Cover of a Financial Report) http://chasebrexton.org/about_us/AR/ (Picture3: Portion of a Financial Report) U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission http://www.sec.gov/ In UCLA, a multi-discipline university, divides the campus into North and south campus. North campus is where all the art happens and South campus has all the students studying engineering and science. The Ackerman Student Union is a great example for such a mixture of cultures, the "third culture".  The structural setup of Ackerman is a great portrayal of art and science. The structure used the sloped rope of Bruinwalk to create only an entrance to the second floor from one end of Ackerman where as the entrance nears the Burin bear is on the first floor to take advantage of the landscape using science.  The outside dining experience also makes it more enjoyable lunch for art students while inside dining is perfect for science students who only focuses on getting food.  (Picture4: First floor entrance of Ackerman Union near Bruin Bear) http://uclaevents.com/image-gallery/ucla-film-and-photography-locations/building-exteriors/ (Picture5: enjoyable dinning environment for art students) http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10725649 His perspective led me into discovering more "third cultures" around me whereas in the past they were simply a Engineering building or a architectural building. From now on, when I walk around campus or visit a new location, I will begin to see a whole new different world made up of "third culture" ideas. Citations:  1. Oefner, Fabian. " Psychedelic Science." TED talk. 10/2013. Lecture. http://www.ted.com/talks/fabian_oefner_psychedelic_science.html 2. UCLA Event Office, Photography. Web. http://uclaevents.com/image-gallery/ucla-film-and-photography-locations/building-exteriors/ 3. Panoramio. Photography. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10725649 4. "TARGET ANNUAL REPORT." . U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Web. <http://www.sec.gov> 5. Photography. Financial Report Cover http://chasebrexton.org/about_us/AR/