Week 8 || Nanotech + Art
Nanotechnology
is a form of technology that uses and manipulates individual atoms and
molecules. It is essentially the science of constructing things out of some of
the smallest particles in the world. In this modern day and age, scientists and
artists alike are merging the two fields of nanotechnology and art.
At
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, an exhibition called “nano,” tries to
bridge art with atoms. Throughout the exhibition, visitors can move through the
molecules and manipulate each atom. This art project was designed by a team
from UCLA who combined nanoscience with media arts and humanities. The exhibit
provides an opportunity for patients to experience and sense nanotechnology
without necessarily seeing it.
Microscopes
project a live view of the cells of a table whose atoms can be moved and
re-oriented as a means of similarly imitating the Scanning Tunneling
Microscope. The exhibit room itself mirrors the likeness of a large inner cell
and provides opportunities for visitors to move and see how their motions
affect projected images which replicate carbon molecules movement. Such art exhibits help individuals better and deepen their understanding of nanotechnology. The concepts and science behind nanotechnology is often daunting and difficult to really wraps minds around. However, such art exhibits really bring the complexities of nanotechnology to life and make it an interactive experience for people to grow their knowledge of atoms and the the most basic fundamentals that compose our universe. References:
Barberis, Irene.
“Tapestry of Light Project.” RMIT University, 19 Apr. 2017,
www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2017/apr/intersection-nanotechnology-art.
“Can Art Make
Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?” National Geographic, National
Geographic Society,
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology_2.html.
Kurzweil, Ray. “A
University for the Coming Singularity.” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading,
2009, www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_announces_singularity_university.
“Making Stuff.” PBS,
Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/making-stuff.html#making-stuff-smaller.
“NANO - Los Angeles
County Museum of Art (LACMA) Exhibition.” NISE Network,
www.nisenet.org/catalog/nano-los-angeles-county-museum-art-lacma-exhibition.
Papramanik, Suni. “Art
Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and Sciences.” Sustainable
Nano, 12 May 2017,
sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/.
Strickland, Jonathan.
“How Nanotechnology Works.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 25
Oct. 2007, science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm.
“Zero Wavefunction.” Nanowerk,
www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=24274.php.
I am so happy that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is having an exhibition on "nano" and I really want to go to it and check out. It's the perfect relationship to what we have been talking about this week. Where did you hear about it? I also enjoy that the exhibit has such a hands-on approach to demonstrating nano-technology and the manipulation of molecules and atoms. It's so hard to picture nanotechnology because our brains have trouble comprehending things we cannot view with our own eyes. I am glad you commented about that in your blog because I think it's a very valid point that can affect things like funding to nanotechnology research and education. It's such an important field that we need to delve into even deeper to understand life and the universe.
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