Bonus Event Blog: The Exploratorium

My favorite museums are usually children’s museums because they are interactive and I learn best by doing. The Exploratorium on Pier 15 in San Francisco is no exception! Every exhibit is hands-on and most have underlying science lessons to accompany the art.

A water fountain that resembles a toilet

My favorite group of exhibits dealt with human senses. One surrounding smell involved unlabeled plastic containers that were scented. Each one had a common scent associated with childhood to see how the scents affected memory. Some scents included baby powder and crayons. The sense of touch exhibit had three poles that put your hands on. The one on the left was cold while the one of the right was hot. The middle pole was room temperature. The instructions told you to hold the end poles for 20 seconds and then put both of your hands on the middle pole. When you put your hot hand and your cold hand on the room temperature pole they all felt as if they were the same temperature.

A "mirror" that sketches the reflection

My absolute favorite exhibit was about color and how it impacts your mood. I had to sit in a chair and lower this large orb onto my head that was opaque so I could not see anything when it was on my head. There was a knob on the armrest of the chair and as I twisted the knob the large orb changed colors. I found that the sea foam blue made me the most calm and I felt energized by the transition from yellow to orange. Psychology expert Kendra Cherry researches color and its effects on humans. According to her, the color red increases circulation, blue can be used to treat pain, and orange can increase energy levels.

My friend found blue to be most soothing

Me with the sea foam blue orb on my head

Sources

Cherry, Kendra. "Color Psychology: Does Color Affect How You Feel?" About Education. About.com, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm>.

Dowdey, Sarah. "How Smell Works." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/smell3.htm>.

"Experience the Exploratorium at Pier 15." The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Exploratorium, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.exploratorium.edu/>.

Hiskey, Daven. "Humans Have a Lot More Than Five Senses." Today I Found Out. N.p., 16 July 2010. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/07/humans-have-a-lot-more-than-five-senses/>.

Van Edwards, Vanessa. "10 Ways Color Affects Your Mood - Science of People." Science of People. Huffington Post, 17 Jan. 2013. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.scienceofpeople.com/2013/01/10-ways-color-affects-your-mood/>.

Event Blog: Louis-Philippe Demers Lecture

Thinking I was about to see a presentation by my teaching assistant for this class, I accidentally ended up sitting in on the wrong presentation, but luckily it coincided perfectly with the topic for that week, robotics + art. Louis-Philippe Demers is an artist who uses robotics a medium.

One of his projects, The Blind Robot, is a mechanical set of arms that explores the viewer’s face and shoulders, similar to the way a blind person would get to know another person. In exhibits, the viewer sits in front of a mirror and can watch the robot touch them. It can be a very intimate experience and seems oddly human.

Disney world did a similar ride with a robot that is interactive and touches people. This display of robots was slightly more horrific though. Before it was closed down, the ride Alien in the Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida involved riders strapped in to a seat in the dark “viewing” an alien that proceeds to break free from its cage. The robotic alien hovers over riders shoulders, breathing in their ears and “licking” them.

Another major project that Mr. Demers discussed is also an interactive robotic experience, this time called Inferno. Inferno is a sort of dance number where volunteers wear a robotic suit that is controlled remotely. The suit moves to the music and allows the participants to know what it feels like to be controlled by someone or something else. It is called Inferno because Mr. Demers believes it would resemble Hell in that the inhabitants cannot control their own movements and do not know when these movements will begin and end. The mechanical suits are also somewhat frightening looking and heavy to wear.

Sources

"Ars Electronica 2013, Louis Philippe Demers -- The Blind Robot." YouTube. YouTube, 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKO1En2HTk>.

"The Blind Robot." Robots and Avatars. Robots and Avatars, 2014. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.robotsandavatars.net/exhibition/jurys_selection/commissions/the-blind-robot/>.

Galindo, Brian. "3 Disney Attractions That Had To Be Closed Because They Were Too Scary." BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/3-disney-attractions-that-had-to-be-closed-because-they-were#.ls6eOYGKk>.

Image Inferno: http://36.media.tumblr.com/62f9daadd6c44b674578ee23ceee09e9/tumblr_nmusjgXGV21qzq5vso1_500.jpg

"Inferno - Bill Vorn & Louis-Philippe Demers | ARTE Creative." ARTE Creative. Studio MAC, 03 May 2015. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://creative.arte.tv/en/community/inferno-bill-vorn-louis-philippe-demers>.

"Inferno - Bill Vorn & Louis-Philippe Demers." Vimeo. Le Studio MAC Creteil, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://vimeo.com/120602707>.

MarioSonic94. "Top 10 Defunct Disney Rides..." Retro Junk. Retro Junk, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.retrojunk.com/article/show/2368/top-10-defunct-disney-rides>.

Event Blog: The Hammer Museum

On an overcast, chilly day in Westwood, there is nothing to do than to visit the Hammer Museum. Upon entry, I saw a few young girls spinning in odd shaped chairs, so naturally I went to join them. I had never been to the Hammer before so I was not aware that these specific chairs were a part of the collection that I had come to see, Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio.

These special chairs are rotationally symmetrical and are not supposed to tip over, though at some points it sure feels like it will. This makes the chair a functional seat at every angle. I highly recommend these chairs if you are in need of releasing your inner child or an unusually comfortable spot to do some creative thinking.  

Beside the chairs, my other favorite piece from the collection was the design of a bus for London that uses less fuel and produces less pollution than the older double-decker buses that are so iconic. The Heatherwick Studio has designed a bus that is more aerodynamic and lighter which uses approximately 40% less fuel while being equally as durable. The design features a red exterior with rounded edges to remove some of the bulk and seats made form steel, wool, nylon, and foam.

It is wonderful to see art and science working together to nurture and conserve our environment. These buses will be available in 2016 and hopefully start a world wide movement toward eco-friendly mass transportation. I also hope to see these spinning chairs in schools across the globe to inspire creativity and prove that math can be fun because after all, it takes a little bit of math to calculate the balancing points so no one tips over.

Sources

"Hammer Museum." The Hammer Museum. One Long House, n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://hammer.ucla.edu/>.

"Heatherwick Studio." Heatherwick Studio. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.heatherwick.com/>.

"London Tour Ticket." Big Bus London. Chameleon, n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://eng.bigbustours.com/london/home.html>.

"London's Best Open Top Bus Tour." The Original London Sightseeing Tour. The Original Tour, 2015. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.theoriginaltour.com/>.

"Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio." The Hammer Museum. One Long House, n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/2015/provocations-the-architecture-and-design-of-heatherwick-studio/>.

"Spun Chair." Herman Miller, Inc. Herman Miller, n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/lounge-seating/spun-chair.html>.

Space + Art

As professor Vesna stated in the introduction lecture video for Module 9, “from the beginning of time, we have been fascinated by the sky, the stars, the planets”. This fascination with the unknown has continued to present day, where the corners of space that no human can currently reach influence artistic pieces from all over the world.

The mystery surrounding outer space allows artists to use their utmost creative aspects to dream up the unthinkable in their work. One such artist, Vincent Di Fate, “is a grand old man in the highly specialized field of technological space art” (biography). Di Fate has produced artwork centered around aerospace subjects for IBM, National Geographic, and even NASA.

Painting by Di Fate

Furthermore, the influence of space on art can be seen in propaganda posters during the Cold War with Soviet Russia. Both the USSR and the United States produced art set in outer space to boost morale for their country and to suggest that their country was in the lead for the space race. The art encouraged citizens of each country to support the ongoing efforts to send people to space and advance space technology.

Propaganda Poster

Today, we see the influence of outer space on art in many aspects of life outside of paintings and poster. Disneyland and Disney World both have a roller coaster called “Space Mountain” located in the futuristic Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. This 2 min 35 second coaster is supposed to simulate a journey through outer space for space cadets (passengers) complete with darkness, twinkling stars, and of course, a spaceship. This ride brings the mysteries of space closer to home for the time being until civilians are free to travel to outer space, which does not seem to be so far fetched these days.

Space Mountain Inside

Space Mountain Outside

Sources

"Cultural Space Programme." KSEVT. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.ksevt.eu/2015/?page_id=1849>.

Fenlon, Wesley. "How Sci-Fi Propaganda Art Influenced The US and Soviet Space Race." Tested RSS. Whalerock Industries, 03 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.tested.com/art/43726-sci_fi-art-propaganda-across-cultures/>.

Image Di Fate Painting: https://simotron.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/03-painting-by-vincent-di-fate-from-stellar-technician-2.jpg

Image Space Mountain Inside: http://kevinwarnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_5110-e1266561416661.jpg

Image Space Mountain Outside: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Space_Mountain_January_2012_Magic_Kingdom_Nighttime.JPG

Image Space Race Propaganda: http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/038/7/5/us_space_propaganda_by_peepook-d3903f6.jpg

"Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 May 2015. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain_%28Magic_Kingdom%29>.

Vesna, Victoria. "8 Space Intro 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2013. Web. 23 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dPAmpBiVHY>.

"Vincentdifate.com." Vincentdifate.com. Vincent DiFate, 2004. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.vincentdifate.com/biography.html>.

Nanotech + Art

At least four times per week I walk past the California Nanosystems Institute in south campus. I have never been inside, nor do I have any idea as to what goes on in there. Dr. Gimzewski, in his six lecture series, has informed me about the advanced technology applied to nanoparticles that can also be applicable to art.

California Nanosystems Institute at UCLA

With the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope, a three dimensional image can be formed from a needle “feeling” the surface of atoms and this is not only limited to particles in a vacuum but the microscope can resolve atoms in air, liquids, and even at extreme temperatures. Liza, a graduate student working with Dr. Gimzewski, was even able to position molecules of carbon monoxide on copper into the formation “UCLA”.

Carbon monoxide molecules on copper molceules

A major topic of the lectures was self-assembly. Nano particles are able to self assemble into various objects such as this 500micron box that is surrounded by microbeads. Self-assembling objects like this are not only useful in creating breathtaking images, but could also lead to cancer treatments that are more targeted and less toxic to humans.

 

Self-assembling box ~500microns

My favorite piece of art involving nanotechnology is the image titled “Self-illuminating flowers of Pandora”. It is a high-resolution picture of a “zinc oxide ‘nanoflower’ synthesized by a physical vapor deposition technique” (Jian Shi). To me it is amazing how at the nano level there are objects that not only self assemble, but can help to change the world for the better by reducing pollution, making products and treatments less toxic, and creating realistic replications of everyday wonders like flowers.

My personal favorite image of nanotechnology

Sources

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. John Curtain Gallery, 05 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

"Hedgehog Particles and Other Amazing Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/newsid=30035.php>.

Image Box: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php

Image “UCLA” CO on Cu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c

Image Zinc Flowers: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php

Image CNSI:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/California_Nanosystems_Institute,_interior_walkways,_UCLA.jpg

"Introduction to Nanotechnology – Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/introduction/introduction_to_nanotechnology_31.php>.

"Nano Orchard and Other Amazing Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 18 May 2014. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news/newsid=35631.php>.

"Nano PacMan, Self-illuminating Flowers and Other Winning Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 26 June 2010. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php>.

"Nanotechnology Art Gallery." Nanotechnology Now. Ed. Bartek A. Glowacki and Tarek Mouganie. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/Cambridge.htm>.

Uconlineprogram. "Nanotech Jim Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c>.

Neuroscience + Art

As with most of the topics in this class, I had no idea how neuroscience and art could be connected until I listened to the lectures. I was impressed with the brainbow and how crafty it looked but I was most surprised by the incorporation of illegal drugs into the lectures.

http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_libnzgyGxE1qhwpt9o1_r2_1280.jpg

I found LSD to be very amusing in its effects after taking the 1960’s cluster as a freshman at UCLA. I have never experienced these effects, nor do I ever plan to, but I am still very curious about them. The lectures sparked my curiosity and I came across a serious of photos from a girl on LSD that drew self-portraits before and during the effects of the drug set in. I find that the creativity increases exponentially the stronger the effects of the drug become.

No effect of LSD, self-portrait

8 hours after taking high dose of LSD, self-portrait

In his TEDTalk, Christopher deCharms asks the audience to raise their arms and wave and then explains that we can program our neurons to stimulate our muscles to wave. He claims, “soon you will be able to look inside your brain and program/control the hundreds of brain areas you see there”. He also mentioned that people going through an fMRI can see areas in their brain that are affected by chronic pain and can control their minds to stop the pain. If we can control pain then we can probably look into our brains through fMRI and simulate an acid trip on LSD. This could soothe people with psychiatric disabilities just as LSD and cocaine were used for in the past before it was deemed harmful, or it could create a whole new genre of (drug free) psychedelic art.

http://www.invivonmr.ualberta.ca/Education/visual.png [fMRI]

Sources

Art of Neuroscience." Society for Neuroscience. Society for Neuroscience, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfn.org%2Fannual-meeting%2Fneuroscience-2014%2Fat-the-meeting%2Fart-of-neuroscience>.

Bob. "Girl Draws Self-portraits before and during LSD High." TheCHIVE RSS. N.p., 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://thechive.com/2013/11/14/girl-draws-self-portraits-before-and-during-lsd-high-12-photos/>.

DeCharms, Christopher. "A Look inside the Brain in Real Time." TedTalk. TED Conferences, Feb. 2008. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_decharms_scans_the_brain_in_real_time?language=en#t-52743>.

Freeman, Shanna. "How LSD Works." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 10 Dec. 2008. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/lsd.htm>.

McDougle, Sam. "GALLERY: The Art of Neuroscience Vol. II." The Beautiful Brain RSS. WordPress, 26 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://thebeautifulbrain.com/2010/10/gallery-the-art-of-neuroscience-vol-ii/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 16 May 2012. Web. 11 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EX75xoBJ0>.

BioTech + Art

Biotechnology is a controversial topic for several reasons, but as an art form it is a great way to express opinions, frustrations, and new ideas with the scientific community. Thanks to artists like Joe Davis, a pioneer in using transgenics for art, artists now work in labs just as often as they work in studios to create thought provoking masterpieces in the realm of biogenetics.

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2012/03/23/1st-pic-HEJDstill%232.jpg

SymbioticA in Australia provides a supportive environment where artists are encouraged to explore life and art together. Artists there have created a machine that moves markers to draw on a canvas while the movements are controlled by fetal rat brain cells in a separate lab.

In 2003 a SymbioticA resident, Oron Catts, helped to create the Victimless Leather project which began with Disembodied Cuisine. Catts and his team engineered “steaks” out of frog muscle cells. After three months of hard work, his piece was placed on exhibition where visitors were able to taste the in vitro meat, which was fried in a honey garlic sauce for its antibacterial agents. Catts claims, “the sauce was really good but the texture of [the] steaks was like eating fabric or jelly on fabric”.

http://tasml.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/catts_and_zurr.jpg

While engineering steaks in a lab seems promising for a possible meat replacement, biotechnology used in art can also be harmful and dangerous. Marta De Menezes has found a way to manipulate the patterns seen on butterfly wings by modifying them during development. This creates beautiful artwork in live butterflies including patterns not seen in nature. The problem is, some butterflies developed holes in their wings. I believe that art should not be limited, but at the same time animals should not be harmed in the making of art. Art should be something that people can marvel at and enjoy. It should not cause physical harm, especially when it is not necessarily furthering scientific research to enhance life.

http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings2.jpg

Sources

"CGS : Human Biotechnology in Art & Culture: A List." CGS : Human Biotechnology in Art & Culture: A List. UC Berkley, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=1961>.

Delgado, Rick. "How Artists Are Blending Biotechnology And Art." MakeUseOf. N.p., 08 May 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/artists-blending-biotechnology-art/>.

Kramer, Stephanie. "Interview with Oron Catts: Victimless Leather." Urban Times RSS. Urban Times, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 May 2015. <https://urbantimes.co/2012/04/interview-oron-catts-victimless-leather/>.

Miranda, Carolina A. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. Art News, 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/>.

Reinert, Birgit. "Asymmetrical Butterfly Wings." GNN. N.p., 28 May 2004. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings.php>.

Tate, Kristen. "Perceptions of Promise: Biotechnology, Science and Art." ‹ Chelsea Art Museum. University of Alberta, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.chelseaartmuseum.org/portfolios/perceptions-of-promise-biotechnology-science-and-art/>.

Event Blog: Discovery Cube OC

Through the lecture material and the scholarly articles, this class has taught me that art can be really complex; but visiting the Discovery Cube in Orange County reminded me that art can also be really simple. Bubble artist, Deni Yang was able to transform a simple childhood toy into a wonderfully artistic performance.

Bubblefest is a special event hosted by the Discovery Cube only once a year to amaze and educate attendees about the science behind the art. Mr. Yang uses lasers and a special bubble tonic in his show to enhance the experience. He goes on to explain that his “bubble tonic” is just water because in order to sustain a bubble, the air must be moist. To construct art through bubbles, one must understand the chemistry associated with them.

Bubbles can be big or small but almost always are circular in shape in order to minimize surface area. The air filled soap balls may be formed with various gases such as hydrogen, methane, or even smoke as seen in Deni Yang’s white bubbles. Altering the soapy formula will make the bubbles last longer, float higher, glow, or sometimes even be resistant to popping so you can hold it.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ezVgWOS3-nB8vCxBmyKAyaltz1Vd1gphmqyZ9QMEsy8WnDGGM6QB0Z6ooYaT7AipJogVLOjR3wFqP0YAMtQF6XpW0qCPWdi2HGkSCpoYBmMyACKnVQCcfsdra8EKbbt1GtPjZyUQlmo/s1600/gazillion+bubbles.jpg

An artist does not need to perform an elaborate show to use bubbles creatively. Jiří Georg Dokoupil is a Czech artist that mixes dyes with soap to paint with bubbles. Every painting is completely unique and each bubble forms a special pattern when it pops. When mixing art and scientific concepts, the possibilities are endless. 

http://032c.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSS3286_x.jpg?b64edd

http://www.artcritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/5f3a726978b1c2dabf73aa5a5975a5a0.jpg

Sources

Campbell-Dollaghan, Kelsey. "The Spectacular Art of Painting With Soap Bubbles ." Gizmodo. KINJA, 12 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://gizmodo.com/the-spectacular-art-of-painting-with-soap-bubbles-1678907019>.

Gray, Theodore. "Blowing (Up) Hydrogen Bubbles." Popular Science. N.p., 19 Feb. 2009. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-02/blowing-hydrogen-bubbles>.

Helmenstine, Anne M., Ph. "Bubbles That Don't Pop - Unbreakable Bubble Recipe." About Education. About.com, 27 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 May 2015 <http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/Bubbles-That-Dont-Pop.htm>.

Helmenstine, Anne M., PhD. "Bubble Science - Learn How Bubbles Work." About Education. About.com, 10 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/bubblescience.htm>.

Landau, Joel. "Taiwanese Artist Creates Beautiful Art with Bubbles." NY Daily News. New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/watch-taiwanese-artist-creates-beautiful-art-bubbles-article-1.2145792>.

"Meet the Artists." Gazillion Bubble Show! N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://gazillionbubbleshow.com/artists.php#deni>.

"Methane Bubbles." UW Dept. of Chemistry. University of Washington, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://depts.washington.edu/chem/facilserv/lecturedemo/MethaneBubbles-UWDept.ofChemistry.html>.