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. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_announces_singularity_university/up-next




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.


Comments

  1. Julianne JonssonMay 28, 2018 at 12:04 AM

    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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