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.
(Picture3: Portion of a Financial Report)
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)
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/
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Week 1 - “Two Cultures”
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I like how you spoke about a literal "middle ground" in your blog. Professor Vesna discussed how the architecture differs from North to South campus which symbolizes the different world of arts and sciences. You took that a step further with your explanation of what Ackerman symbolizes; it can be interpreted as a place of fusion of the two separate cultures. And this can be seen in its architecture and in the environment it provides.
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