Medicine + Technology + Art

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine

Hippocrates is thought of to be the father of medicine so much so that an oath was penned in his name that is still used today in medical schools all across the United States. Today though, “the modern versions of the oath [have veered] far from the classical” (Tyson 2001). Similarly, scientific techniques and procedures meant strictly for medicinal, research, or security purposes are now being used as art forms.

X-Ray scanner at airport security checkpoint

X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895. It is termed X-ray because “X” is a mathematical term for something unknown. The technique was used to determine the structure of DNA, as a diagnostic tool in the medical field, and at airports and manufacturing warehouses to screen luggage and packaged goods without having to individually open each package and rummage through it.

Mrs. Roentgen's left hand (X-ray)

X-ray images are very powerful because they reveal one of the mysteries of life, inside the human body. Mr. Roentgen’s wife exclaimed that she had seen her death when she saw an X-ray image of her hand with her wedding band on. She could see the exact structure and placement of the bones in her hand, a very private and personal experience. Most people will not get to see or know their insides, even though they are contained inside of that person’s body.

Today, X-rays are used to express personal and controversial issues and opinions through art. Recently, Ad Council launched a campaign called “Love Has No Labels” which uses an X-ray imaging screen with two people kissing behind it. The audience cannot see the gender, race, or ethnicity of the couple until they step out from behind the screen. The purpose of this artistic display being: “to end bias, we need to become aware of it. And then we need to do everything within our power to stop it in ourselves, others, and institutions” (Ad Council 2015). This powerful use of X-ray technology outside of the medical field is truly revolutionizing the way people view differences amongst each other.

Sources

-Barrett, Tresha. "Video of Kissing Skeletons Reminds Us That "Love Has No Labels""Inquisitr. The Inquisitr News, 8 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.inquisitr.com/1896883/video-of-kissing-skeletons-remind-us-that-love-has-no-labels/>.

-"Diversity & Inclusion - Love Has No Labels." YouTube. Ad Council, 3 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnDgZuGIhHs>.

-"History of Radiography." NDT Resource Center. Iowa State University. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Radiography/Introduction/history.htm>.

-Image of Airport X-ray: http://image.ec21.com/image/xinyuantong01/oimg_GC07342670_CA07356211/X_Ray_Luggage_Inspection_Machine_At_Airport_XJ8065.jpg

-Image of Hippocrates: http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/6376678_f260.jpg

-Image of X-ray hand: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/dreamanatomy/images/1200-dpi/Z1.jpg

-Tyson, Peter. "The Hippocratic Oath Today." NOVA. 27 Mar. 2001. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

-Vesna, Victoria. "Lecture Part 2." Desma 9 Class Website. UC Online Program, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

Robotics + Art

Ford Model T

Industrialization has technologically advanced society and in part made human lives easier. The mass production of cars by Ford made travel easier and more accessible to the middle class in the early 1900s with the Model T. Since the Industrial Revolution, society has demonstrated positive and negative reactions to mass production. Robots and robotic equipment are replacing humans in the workforce and lessening the number of positions available thus contributing to the percentage of unemployment and homelessness across America. On the other hand, the advancement of robotics is growing and can be used to enhance and prolong life on earth.

WALL-E showing emotion toward EVE

The 2008 Disney/Pixar movie WALL-E about the last of a clan of recycling robots on earth showed that robots could not only be put to good use, but can go where humans would not (Earth was engulfed in trash) and could develop personalities. The robot WALL-E conveys human emotions such as loneliness for being the only robot left on the planet but also compassion for another robot he stumbles upon called EVE, while the humans relaxed on a spaceship orbiting Earth.

Hiroshi's geminoid robot

In Japan, Hiroshi Ishiguro has developed an Actroid, a humanoid robot with lifelike appearance and visible behaviors such as facial expressions, in his lab at Osaka University. The technology in this robot allows it to mimic facial expressions, talk, and track eye movements so it appears to be looking at the same object that the person it is mimicking is looking at. The art in the design of the robot makes it appear eerily life-like down to smile and frown lines around the corners of its mouth.

In his paper “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Walter Benjamin states, “technical reproduction can put the copy of the original into situations which would be out of reach for the original itself” (Benjamin 1936). Since scientists have already figured out how to make robots appear friendly and humanlike while programming them to be able to empathize, we could use these as companions to children with severe illness that force them to be quarantined. Depression and loneliness are common in children that have suppressed immune systems or other diseases that prevent the possibility of visitors or receiving gifts from friends and family for fear that a small contamination could kill the patient. This emotional distress further hinders the body’s ability to fight infection and the will to live.  Artfully constructed robots have the potential to save human life while simultaneously making it more enjoyable. 

Children foster friendship with toys/robots

Citations

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." (1936).University of California Desma 9. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-3-agenda?module_item_id=6472143>.

Children with Robot Image: http://spectrum.ieee.org/image/1685797

"Company Timeline." Ford. Ford Motor Company, 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <https://corporate.ford.com/company/history.html>.

David Hanson: Robotics That "show Emotion" Ted Talks, 2009. Film.

Geminoid + Hiroshi Image: http://www.paams.net/sites/default/files/ca-geminoid-wide-20130801161421272866-620x349.jpg

Guizzo, Erico. "Hiroshi Ishiguro: The Man Who Made a Copy of Himself." IEEE Spectrum. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/humanoids/hiroshi-ishiguro-the-man-who-made-a-copy-of-himself>.

Model T Image: https://corporate.ford.com/company/history.html

Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics MachikoKasuhara 1." YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 14 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ_sy-mdEU>.

Wall-E Image: http://images.bwog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wall+e+love+2.jpg

"WALL-E." IMDB. IMDb, Inc., 1 Jan. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/>.

Math + Art

After the first module about two cultures, I knew that arts and humanities overlapped with math and science but I could only think of minor ways that connected the two cultures in a shallow manner. “Flatland” by Edwin Abbott Abbott brushed on merging the two cultures by using geometrical figures and physics concepts of dimensional analysis and Einstein’s theory of relativity to create a satire about the hierarchy of Victorian culture. For me, the moment of truth that art, math, and science were all connected came when I discovered the golden ratio, the Fibonacci number sequence, and fractals.

Mathematical depiction of the Golden Ratio

The golden ratio (approximately 1:1.618) is such that when a line is divided, the larger part divided by the smaller part is equal to the whole line divided by the larger part. This creates an aesthetically pleasing rectangle that is found in world famous paintings and architecture, thus using math to create masterpieces through art. 

Parthenon - Golden Ratio

It is unknown if the architects and artists knew of the ratio and included it into their creations consciously or unconsciously but it may be that the use of the ratio is the reason for the popularity of certain artworks or buildings. The human brain has a positive reaction to proportionality and organization, especially in people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

http://www.viralforest.com/12-pics-that-will-satisfy-your-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/

Junpei Sakino Fractal

My favorite part of this module involved fractals. I was fascinated by the notion of art being derived from mathematical equations and algorithms. Junpei Sakino is famous for his fractals and has his own gallery at a university in Oregon where he taught college level calculus up until his retirement in 2006. Mr. Sakino encourages art by noting, “you don’t have to know college level math to create a large number of fascinating images, although higher math definitely helps you understand what’s under the hood and get beyond the basic technical level”. Mr. Sakino proves that mathematical algorithims can create beautiful landscapes in additions to abstract fractals.

Junpei Sakino Landscape Fractal

 Math is vital to the creation of artwork and even natural sciences like biology can be explained with math. The Fibonacci number sequence, which is related to the golden ratio (see golden ratio webpage in citations), can be used to explain the branching of trees, the flowering pattern in an artichoke, and many other patterns in biology. Art and science are virtually impossible without some form of mathematics and thus the two cultures must be deeply connected.

Flowering patterns in artichokes are nature's fractals

Naturally occuring fractals can be found in shells home to a nautilus

Citations

"African Fractals." Culturally-Situated Design Tools. Ron Eglash, 1 Jan. 2003. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ccd.rpi.edu/Eglash/csdt/african/African_Fractals/index.html>.

Artichoke image: http://seggleston.com/g3/var/albums/The-Culinary-Experience/Artichoke_12570.jpg?m=1359692197

"Fibonacci, Fractals, and Financial Markets - Socionomics.net." YouTube. Socionomics, 31 May 2007. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RE2Lu65XxTU>.

"Fractals - Mandelbrot." YouTube. DJ DlimitR (aka Carl Scripter), 17 June 2006. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ivRQDbAduoM>.

Fractals nautilus image: http://media.mnn.com/sites/default/files/styles/featured_blog/public/nautilus-feat.jpg

Golden ratio image: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/golden-ratio.html

Junpei Sakino fractal images: http://www.willamette.edu/~sekino/fractal/gallerymain.htm

Parthenon image: http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/subj/ats/teachingweb/teaching/t26-DesignPrinciples/TheGoldenSection/Parthenon.jpg

Pierce, Rod. "Golden Ratio" Math Is Fun. Ed. Rod Pierce. 22 Nov 2014. 12 Apr 2015 <http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/golden-ratio.html>

Weisstein, Eric W. "Mandelbrot Set." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/MandelbrotSet.html

Two Cultures

Just as Elle Woods woke up one day and decided to go to law school, I too abruptly decided that I was going to pursue a career in medicine as a third grader. Fascinated and driven by science in an educational world where you must choose art or math, I needed a creative outlet aside from school. Young and naive, I had no idea that the two cultures of art and math could mesh until I learned to cook.

Elle Woods is the main character from the movie Legally Blonde and impulsively attends Harvard Law School

Experimenting and creating dishes that emanate delicious aromas and satisfy a myriad of palates is a true form of art, while balancing temperatures and precisely measured ingredients can be quite scientific. A slight alteration in recipe for a simple chocolate chip cookie will completely alter the final product and could cost you that blue ribbon at the county fair! At the same time, adding unusual flavors can create a unique new product entirely.

Cookies turn out differently depending on cooking temp, type of oil, number of eggs, etc.

C.P. Snow talks about the need to bridge the gap between the two cultures of art and science in “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution” and cooking does just that. Combining culinary art forms such as taste and presentation with the scientific method to construct delectable cuisine unites both cultures in one activity common to virtually every household in the world (since everyone needs food to survive).

This specific dish is a fusion cuisine combining aspects from different cultures

In contrast to John Brockman’s idea of a third culture being scientists explaining their discoveries in layman’s terms, I believe that the third culture consists of both the scientist and the literary intellectual who learn to appreciate one another’s opinions and cultivate open-mindedness. Only then will we truly bridge the gap in all aspects of art and science. Using my laptop computer to watch Netflix between homework assignments, I know that we can create amazing tools to help solve the problems modern society faces with changing our prospective on the separation of two cultures: art and science.

Sources

Snow, C.P. "Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution." Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.

Brockman, John. The Third Culture. N.P.: n.p, 1995. Print. 

Elle Woods Picture: <http://www.sunnydaysandlovelyways.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/reese-witherspoon-as-elle-woods-in-legally-blonde.jpg>

Cookie Picture: <http://www.handletheheat.com/ultimate-cookie-troubleshooting-guide/>

Fusion Cuisine Picture: <http://houston.eat24hours.com/files/cuisines/v4/asian-fusion.jpg?e24v=203>

Open Mind Picture: <http://cdn.acneeinstein.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/open-close-mind.jpg>

Vesna, Victoria. "Two Cultures Intro." Desma 9 Lecture. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-1-view?module_item_id=6472132>

Vesna, Victoria. "Two Cultures Part 1." Desma 9 Lecture. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-1-view?module_item_id=6472132>

Vesna, Victoria. "Two Cultures Part 2." Desma 9 Lecture <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-1-view?module_item_id=6472132>