Link to Final Project can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-ooq0KDG9UdYW9TRTEtR3JJcXM/view?usp=sharing
Friday, June 12, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Event 4: Getty Museum's Reinventing Photography: Light, Paper, Process
I have been to Getty Museum once before, and I never walked into the Photography exhibit located a little deeper on the premise. I had the choice of looking at the art history collection to find any mathematical sequencing that artists focused on in the past, or to take a look at something a little more modern. Thankfully, the current exhibit right now is Reinventing Photography, which was a great opportunity for me to learn about the different developments and inventions that are going on in this field.
I love taking photos, but I have never studied photography, so I only know the basics of good lighting and settings. The art that I saw today really opened by eyes to how far photography can really go -- it's not just a snapshot of a moment in time. It could be a series of photos taken in the most abnormal and creative ways. Most of these artists, I learned, are multimedia artist who use several different techniques to arrive at their masterpiece.
My favorite piece in this exhibit was Lisa Oppenheim's Lunagrams #1-13. She picked up glass plate negatives of the moon which were made way back in 1850 by astronomer, John Williams Draper. After creating an enlarged copy negatives, she exposed sheets of photographic paper to moonlight at the same phases of a lunar cycle depicted in the negatives. She then toned the prints with silver to capture the magical ethereal qualities that prints from the original negatives must have conveyed when first presented a century a half ago. She wanted to bring nostalgia to when the pioneers of Astronomy first made these discoveries. To create the glow effect of what it must have felt like -- both surreal and disbelief, yet optimistic with the limitless wonders of the World.
I love taking photos, but I have never studied photography, so I only know the basics of good lighting and settings. The art that I saw today really opened by eyes to how far photography can really go -- it's not just a snapshot of a moment in time. It could be a series of photos taken in the most abnormal and creative ways. Most of these artists, I learned, are multimedia artist who use several different techniques to arrive at their masterpiece.
My favorite piece in this exhibit was Lisa Oppenheim's Lunagrams #1-13. She picked up glass plate negatives of the moon which were made way back in 1850 by astronomer, John Williams Draper. After creating an enlarged copy negatives, she exposed sheets of photographic paper to moonlight at the same phases of a lunar cycle depicted in the negatives. She then toned the prints with silver to capture the magical ethereal qualities that prints from the original negatives must have conveyed when first presented a century a half ago. She wanted to bring nostalgia to when the pioneers of Astronomy first made these discoveries. To create the glow effect of what it must have felt like -- both surreal and disbelief, yet optimistic with the limitless wonders of the World.
Another artist, Matthew Brandt, surprised me with how he utilitized the labor intensive heliograph process, where metal plates are coated with sticky tar like substance that gardens with exposure to sunlight. After photographing exhibits of prehistoric animals in the page museum, Brandt wanted to make large scale heliographs or sun picture in sheets of aluminum using tar gathered from nearby La Brea tar pits. It's interesting how he literally used parts of history (tar pits) to create a modernized piece. This conveys a sense of loss for creatures and buildings that no longer exist. He wanted to use the preserved the memories of fossilized skeletons and photographs to depict their void today.
After this exhibit, I have developed a new love for photography. It's not as simple as what meets the eye. There are several ways to transform it and develop new technologies to "reinvent" photography. This medium has been around for a while, but with greater access to digital media now in this generation, it makes being a multimedia artist both fun and inventive.
Event 3: Fowler Museum's Making Strange
It was very exciting to learn that Vivian Sundaram put together this entire exhibit -- which kind of seemed like a little fashion collection when you first walk in. Making Strange has a very obvious theme -- to remake garments with recyclable materials. However, there is a deeper message being communicated.
Making Strange explores the idea that clothing and the human body are inseparable. Sundaram captures the tension between beauty and illness, pleasure and pain, life and death. This effect is generated through modernist avant-garde aesthetic strategies, high fashion, recycled materials, and pop cultural references. As you can see, the garment she designed is stuck onto a mannequin. It is made out of old hose material. This type of "haute" couture is "strange" yet highly inventive and may strike you to think... what do I decorate my body with?
One of my favorite pieces in this exhibit, is the one pictured below. It shows the concept of life and death. The mannequin is watching herself on her death bed. Also, the bed seems to be formed by two convex shapes, which reminded me of the Jesus fish. Is this a representation of someone "saving" themselves?
Making Strange explores the idea that clothing and the human body are inseparable. Sundaram captures the tension between beauty and illness, pleasure and pain, life and death. This effect is generated through modernist avant-garde aesthetic strategies, high fashion, recycled materials, and pop cultural references. As you can see, the garment she designed is stuck onto a mannequin. It is made out of old hose material. This type of "haute" couture is "strange" yet highly inventive and may strike you to think... what do I decorate my body with?
Sundaram not only explores one type of culture, but chooses to expand throughout the entire world. If there is one thing every race can connect to is our clothing. The mannequin below -- her attire is made from old hospital masks. Could her life have been dedicated towards nursing? Is Vivian indicating that this "uniform" has simply just become a part of her?
One of my favorite pieces in this exhibit, is the one pictured below. It shows the concept of life and death. The mannequin is watching herself on her death bed. Also, the bed seems to be formed by two convex shapes, which reminded me of the Jesus fish. Is this a representation of someone "saving" themselves?
Monday, June 1, 2015
Event 2: Hammer Museum's Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio
This is one of my favorite exhibits of all time. I have been to several different museums of modern art (LACMA, SFMOMA, MoMA) and I've never been more intrigued. Every single piece had a purpose that I could relate to, and see it's impact fully in today's society.
The main theme of this exhibit is -- to answer a question.
I realized that Heatherwick is an amazing inventor, not only because he finds the most creative solutions, but because of his ability to pose the most explorative questions.
Heatherwick doesn't just have eye for aesthetics and contemporary design (later I found that he is a designer for Longchamp). His unique ability to blend both technology and art together is what truly makes his work stand out beyond his peers. For example, a trending photo opportunity in the LA area right now on Facebook and Instagram is his spun chairs. After going through the studio, I learned exactly why he invented something like this. He wanted to know if it was possible to rotate while sitting down. Thus he created an art piece that people can enjoy "riding."
This is a place to go to if you're searching for inspiration. Heatherwick is very well known for being a concept artist for bridges. If you see the paintings, you'll notice that the new forms of architecture are both environmentally sustainable and efficient for metropolitan areas.
He even digs into a revolution for furniture by bringing his creations back in the wood shop to create everyday, simple products such as the cabinet, and transforming it into something cooler. He uses hinges to help expand, hide, and save space. I truly can't wait for these to hit the market!
The main theme of this exhibit is -- to answer a question.
I realized that Heatherwick is an amazing inventor, not only because he finds the most creative solutions, but because of his ability to pose the most explorative questions.
Heatherwick doesn't just have eye for aesthetics and contemporary design (later I found that he is a designer for Longchamp). His unique ability to blend both technology and art together is what truly makes his work stand out beyond his peers. For example, a trending photo opportunity in the LA area right now on Facebook and Instagram is his spun chairs. After going through the studio, I learned exactly why he invented something like this. He wanted to know if it was possible to rotate while sitting down. Thus he created an art piece that people can enjoy "riding."
This is a place to go to if you're searching for inspiration. Heatherwick is very well known for being a concept artist for bridges. If you see the paintings, you'll notice that the new forms of architecture are both environmentally sustainable and efficient for metropolitan areas.
He even digs into a revolution for furniture by bringing his creations back in the wood shop to create everyday, simple products such as the cabinet, and transforming it into something cooler. He uses hinges to help expand, hide, and save space. I truly can't wait for these to hit the market!
Event 1: Hammer Museum's Lauren Bon & Metabolic Studio
This was such an interesting experience because when I first walked into the room, everything was completely dark except for moving light shadows peeking behind the curtain. I walked behind to see what was creating the ripple effect. I noticed that there was something pulsing inside a glass bowl containing water and a lightbulb inside.
At first, I couldn't really tell what was going on. However, after examining exactly what the different components were in this art piece, I learned that the ripples were being created from sound waves, generated by a speaker.
What was the message that the artist is sending me?
Here is my thought process:
1. Lauren Bon wanted to incorporate water into her piece, but to make it come alive.
2. Therefore she needed something to make the water "flow." Bring movement to this still liquid form.
Then I asked, but WHY?
3. Thinking back to the title of this presentation, "Metabolic Studio." hm? consume. breakdown. energy.
4. Using my schema and background knowledge... we are in LA, currently in a drought, could it be her vision to spread awareness?
Then I read the pamphlet.
"The Metabolic Studio practices on physical and social brownfields—places that are incapable of supporting life."
I think this is an amazing piece that helps to portray the lack of water in places far from access to big bodies of water. The pulsing effect generates a force to help push water to those cities who don't have this access. The light, water, and sound waves, come together to create this feeling that interprets Lauren Bon's message. In places like Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona, water is pumped into these desertlands. It makes me think... wow how are some of the nation's biggest cities sustainable in the middle of the desert?
At first, I couldn't really tell what was going on. However, after examining exactly what the different components were in this art piece, I learned that the ripples were being created from sound waves, generated by a speaker.
What was the message that the artist is sending me?
Here is my thought process:
1. Lauren Bon wanted to incorporate water into her piece, but to make it come alive.
2. Therefore she needed something to make the water "flow." Bring movement to this still liquid form.
Then I asked, but WHY?
3. Thinking back to the title of this presentation, "Metabolic Studio." hm? consume. breakdown. energy.
4. Using my schema and background knowledge... we are in LA, currently in a drought, could it be her vision to spread awareness?
Then I read the pamphlet.
"The Metabolic Studio practices on physical and social brownfields—places that are incapable of supporting life."
I think this is an amazing piece that helps to portray the lack of water in places far from access to big bodies of water. The pulsing effect generates a force to help push water to those cities who don't have this access. The light, water, and sound waves, come together to create this feeling that interprets Lauren Bon's message. In places like Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona, water is pumped into these desertlands. It makes me think... wow how are some of the nation's biggest cities sustainable in the middle of the desert?
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Space + Art
This week's lecture focused on how space exploration is being used as a theme for many fields such as fiction writing, art, movies, and music. The curiousity we have with space travel and the limitless possibility of extraterrestrial life makes it so incredibly interesting, drawing the attention of viewers from all different backgrounds. These fantasies become realities through science and engineering. Specifically, with Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1865 and Arthur Clarke's "The Fountains of Paradise," we see how far an old science fiction has become a true reality for mankind over time. Back then, these ideas seem wayward and idealistic, but it is an art form for those who are grounded in the laws of nature and science. The scientific method states that every experiment begins with a question. Without a challenging imagination, we would never proper forward with our research.
Something very interesting that I have never explored in depth are the effects of war and how it encourages us to make huge jumps in technological advances for weaponry and defense. When the entire country's priority is set on warfare, the effort to succeed is high. This creates a positive externality, since the people will go to great heights to protect their country. This way of thinking has led the country into space exploration to develop technological equipment, such as satellites, to increase their abilities and be prepared. In this generation, space is becoming less of an abstract thought, art has borrowed its beauty as shown in the exhibition, "Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity." This exhibit exemplifies the theme of zero gravity or weightlessness.
A way of identifying art and space is through the universally known arrangement of stars, also coined as the term, constellations. Back in history, people named these patterns and allowed them to trace distinct images in space that resemble artistic subjects. In elementary school, we used to look up at the sky to see if we can find these shapes formed by the shining stars. There are thousands of legends and artistic stories tied behind these figures. If you think about it, that makes "space" a never-ending medium filled with amazing wonders beyond our wildest dreams.
[1] "Audacious & Outrageous: Space Elevators." NASA Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.
<http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2000/ast07sep_1/>.
[2] Briggs, Josh. "Top 10 'Star Trek' Technologies That Actually Came True."HowStuffWorks. InfoSpace LLC, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. 27 May 2015.
<http://www.howstuffworks.com/10-star-trek-technologies1.htm#page=3>.
[3] Dir. Victoria Vesna. Space Pt4. YouTube, 30 May 2012. Web. 26 May 2015.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ClKO6AJPo>.
[4] Verne, Jules. From the earth to the moon. Mt. View, Calif.: Wiretap, 199. Print.
[5] Clarke, Arthur C.. The fountains of Paradise. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1979. Print.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Nanotechnology + Art
Nanoscience is a quickly developing field of research that brings together many different aspects of life and can promote a variety of benefits. It is expected to lead to countless innovations and advancements that can contribute towards addressing many problems facing today’s society. This technology is being integrated into an array of products. However, regardless of nanotechnology’s widespread prevalence, many customers, if not most, are unaware of its influences and brush it off as another scientific theory they come across. We don’t realize we are exposed to nanoparticles in our daily lives.
In order to create an idea of the space nanoscience covers, I will start off with nanoparticle applications in the Manufacturing sector. This includes:
1. Silver nanoparticles in fabric which are used to kill bacteria, making clothing odor-resistant
2. Zinc oxide nanoparticles which can be dispersed in industrial coatings to protect wood, plastic, and textiles from UV ray exposure.
Secondly, current applications of nanoparticles in the Environment sector include:
1. Gold nanoparticles which are embedded in porous manganese oxide as a room temperature catalyst to breakdown volatile organic pollutants suspended in the air
2. Iron nanoparticles which are used to clean up carbon tetrachloride pollution in our ground water
Nanoparticles can also be applied to the field of Energy and Electronics, as seen with silicon nanoparticles, which are used to coat anodes of lithium-ion batteries to increase battery power and reduce recharge time.
Personally, the most interesting use of nanoscience is color. Color, special effects and intricate patters are all a result of nanotechnology in our everyday lives. If you look at stained glass windows, the color is actually obtained by trapping different color nano-particles into a confined space in order to emit a certain other color. For example, gold nano-particles give you red windows while silver nano-particles give you yellow. Art is meshed with science as the color we enjoy with our eyes is a product of the size of the particles, how they interact with the glass and the way they reflect light.
In order to create an idea of the space nanoscience covers, I will start off with nanoparticle applications in the Manufacturing sector. This includes:
1. Silver nanoparticles in fabric which are used to kill bacteria, making clothing odor-resistant
2. Zinc oxide nanoparticles which can be dispersed in industrial coatings to protect wood, plastic, and textiles from UV ray exposure.
Secondly, current applications of nanoparticles in the Environment sector include:
1. Gold nanoparticles which are embedded in porous manganese oxide as a room temperature catalyst to breakdown volatile organic pollutants suspended in the air
2. Iron nanoparticles which are used to clean up carbon tetrachloride pollution in our ground water
Nanoparticles can also be applied to the field of Energy and Electronics, as seen with silicon nanoparticles, which are used to coat anodes of lithium-ion batteries to increase battery power and reduce recharge time.
Personally, the most interesting use of nanoscience is color. Color, special effects and intricate patters are all a result of nanotechnology in our everyday lives. If you look at stained glass windows, the color is actually obtained by trapping different color nano-particles into a confined space in order to emit a certain other color. For example, gold nano-particles give you red windows while silver nano-particles give you yellow. Art is meshed with science as the color we enjoy with our eyes is a product of the size of the particles, how they interact with the glass and the way they reflect light.
[1] "How Nanotechnology Could Reengineer Us." Keithley: A Tektronix Company. Keithley Instruments Inc., n.d. Web. <http://www.keithley.com/knowledgecenter/How-Nanotechnology-Could-Reengineer-Us>.
[2] Kullman, Joe. "Art Form, Nanotechnology Combine to Advance Batteries."Arizona State University News: Science & Tech. Extremetech.com, 22 May 2015. Web. <https://asunews.asu.edu/20131022-chan-lithium-ion-batteries>.
[3] Camara-Campos, Amaya. "Preserving Art at the Nanoscale." Royal Society of Chemistry. RSC Publishing, 7 July 2010. Web. <http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemScience/Volume/2010/08/Preserving_art.asp>.
[4] "Nano in Textiles and Clothing." Nano&Me. Web. 22 May 2015.
<http://www.nanoandme.org/nano-products/textiles-and-clothing/>.
[5] "Gold Nanoparticles in Manganese Oxide Cleans VOCs from Air." Nano&Me. Web. 22 May 2015. <http://www.understandingnano.com/nanoparticles-gold-voc-air-pollution.html>.
[6] Daw, Rosamund. "Nanotechnology Is Ancient History." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 24 Apr. 2012. Web. 22 May 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/nanotechnology-world/nanotechnology-is-ancient-history>.
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