Medtech + Art

Could it be possible that anatomical drawings should be viewed as pieces of art? These "human maps" are valuable for the medical field, helping doctors, nurses, therapists to understand and diagnose and prevent any health issues. However, the artist behind the textbook when you took your first human biology class in high school, may have been a digital media artist who worked with doctors to help produce a precise anatomy model. We might not have given the photo much thought, but now we can see how proportions, color, organization is so artistically significant in order to make sure we educate accurately.

I remember the first time I dissected a cow's eye, then when I grew older our class dissected a pre-natal pig. I remember these events so vividly in my science classes -- it was so exciting, gross, intriguing, immoral, and informative -- all at the same time! Professor Vesna speaks on how dissection is a production of art and vice versa. Without the anatomical drawings, we would not know what organs, muscles, or bones we are looking at during the real dissection process. Without dissecting and reproducing the sight, we would have no reference for scientists to further their studies.

Using this week's lecture, combining with what Professor Vesna has incorporated about math, science, and robotics in art, it built the foundation for my conclusion on medicine art - and whether or not this practice is beneficial towards mankind, or working against us. Technology advancements allow us to create a picture of the human anatomy in its clearest form - through x-rays. However these machines are known to be extremely harmful due to its radiation (think about the heavy protection you have to wear during a dentist exam). Even though these images are very important to help us locate certain organs and bones in our body, it may come with a price, especially if we are at the risk of exposure to carcinogenics.

I don't think my blog post would be successful without exploring the most obvious form of medtech and art. Plastic Surgery! The whole concept behind these operations is to make someone feel and look aesthetically pleasing. Whether it's the doctor/artist's way of carefully constructing the patient's nose or augmenting her breasts, this industry specialization requires a clear eye for proportions as well as an extremely reliable background in medical practice. Think back to the golden ratio. Remember Da Vinci's Mona Lisa? He painted a portrait of the "most beautiful" woman, because the proportions of her face (from nose to mouth, mouth to ear, eyes to nose, etc.) were perfect. Plastic surgeons undeniably need to study this beauty and how to implement it on a real human being. 

[1] Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.” Lecture. Medicine pt1 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.
[2] "Dissection." UPENN Knarf English. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. 
<http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/Contexts/dissect.html>.
[3] Thater , Tom. "Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams." Patient Safety -. Radiology Information , n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/?pg=sfty_xray>.
[4] Maser, M.D., Ben M. "Plastic Surgery." American College of Surgeons. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <https://www.facs.org/education/resources/residency-search/specialties/plastic>.
[5] Cotter, Holland. "Artist's Life: Cut, Nip and Tuck." The NY Times. 19 Apr. 2009. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/arts/design/20apex.html?_r=0>.

Robotics + Art

With technology moving as quick as it has in the past 20 years, we forget how quickly modern art evolves as well. In the lecture on Robotics + Art, we notice how it relates to last week's lecture, in regards to how Art complements other disciplines. Professor Vesna poses questions to help us explore how newly developed mechanization make more skilled artists and how artists influence better robotics.

One of the earliest examples of science and technology merging with art trace back to the invention of the printing press and the movable type. These innovations helped extend art limitations by allowing our brain images to be reflected onto paper, through a machine - that is not our arm. In this case, we cancel the variability that our own hands create through free form art, and can create a universal uniformity that everyone can recreate. This technology is what allowed the mass production of books and other forms of communication to help pass culture, lessons, and wisdom from one generation to the next.

We are introduced to the transformation and revolution of art in the lens of what Walter Benjamin believes is to be the age of Mechanical Reproduction. According to Benjamin, “one of the foremost tasks of art has always been the creation of demand which could be fully satisfied only later.” Based on his ideologies, history has essentially taught us that "art aspires to effects which could be fully obtained only with a changed technical standard"—a new art form. And Benjamin sees the first step to reaching this new standard beginning with the act of outraging the public.

A great example that ties in art with robotics in a perfect blend is through Disney's movie, Wall-E! People watch movies as a pure form of entertainment, however, the cinematic arts has been an important part of the art culture since the very beginning of movie production. It is an easy way to transmit messages to the public. Robots are great in terms of making our lives easier and streamlining production - think dishwasher, vacuum, and washing machine. Do we ever consider the dangers of robotics and how it can be more powerful than humans and possibly destroy mankind? Rodney Brooks urges us to be aware of how robots are invading our lives and to not be ignorant of the potentially detrimental impact this may have (as seen in Wall-E). Artificial intelligence has been refined through art, form, and design. However, technology is triggering robotics past a productive concept and becoming something that influences to mankind to hyper-produce. This results in wastefulness of resources and greed.

On the other end of the spectrum, robotic art has helped humans, not only make life easier, but allow us to achieve things that were not once possible. In recent news, San Francisco's De Young Museum has recently announced that there is a new robot that would allow those who are physically handicapped to finally be able to experience a museum. Henry Evans was a Silicon Valley executive, but after experiencing a massive stroke, he is completely paralyzed. Using computers and robots, he is able to communicate with his family, friends, and the rest of the world with minimal movements of his eyeballs. The technology allows him to remain engaged, mentally active, and part of this world, especially since he is essentially trapped in his own body. Take a look at this robot and how it is designed. Henry's face is displayed through the webcam, and the robot has legs as if his presence were actually there. If the practice of robotic art is used beneficially, it has the potential to move us towards great lengths.

[1] History of Chinese Invention - The Invention of Movable Print." Computersmiths. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.computersmiths.com/chineseinvention/movtype.htm>.
[2] Markoff, John. "In Search of a Robot More Like Us." NYTimes, 11 July 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/science/12robot.html?_r=2&ref=science>.
[3] Brooks, Rodney. "Transcript of "Robots Will Invade Our Lives"" Rodney Brooks: Robots Will Invade Our Lives. TED, Feb. 2003. Web. 18 Apr 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots/transcript>.
[4] Wall E. Wall E. Disney, 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Apr 2015. 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZisWjdjs-gM&feature=kp>.
[5] "Robots Open up the World of Art." CBS News, 1 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. 
<http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/robots-open-up-the-world-of-art/>.

Math + Art

In this week’s lecture on the intersection of Math and Art, we learn about the link between the applications of Mathematics and how it consequently results in a better form of Art. When we think of art, we believe it is a true freehand expression of one's talent. We fail to realize that it requires to some degree, a mental or even physical calculation of space and distance.

An example that shows more insight into what Professor Vesna explains this week is the Golden Ratio. A mathematical law derived hundreds of years ago by our ancestors, which is basically a sequence of numbers that is the sum of the previous two number in the sequence. (ex. 0,1,1,2,3,5,8...). It is incredibly fascinating how many natural processes follow this pattern, originally calculated by Leonardo Fibonacci. This is a useful tool for artists all over the World, helping them to proportionally replicate paintings, portraits, or scenery.

The most famous example of where the Golden Ratio has been applied is the, "La Jaconde" or Mona Lisa painting. I was blessed with the opportunity to visit The Louvre in Paris, France this past Winter. The beauty is not noticed until you take the time to appreciate the proportions that was applied by the talented Leonardo Da Vinci. He applied this to many of his famous pieces which is why to this day he is considered one of the most influential artists.

While abroad in Milan, Italy -- I had to get tickets to see "The Last Supper." Being in that room was an absolutely incredible experience. How large it is in real life and how they are trying their best to preserve this historical and biblical treasure. The truth is that it is falling apart. However, it sustained long enough to educate and inspire many following artists. Da Vinci uses the tool of aerial perspective to create light in this mural. Purposely making the horizon more dull and colorless in order to draw attention towards the landscape, thus creating an illusion of depth. This awareness of distance and space was pre-calculated before being projected and painted onto the wall.

One of the most universal examples that display a modern intersection between math and art is are Apple products - specifically the very first iPod. As someone from a quantitative background, I think of engineering and computer science when coming across the Apple logo. However, the true driving success behind Apple is its unique design. To produce the most cost-efficient and sleek formula to compete with the market, it requires the collaboration between material science and artistic flair.

Steve Jobs is notorious for driving his employees to the edge. A published story about how he threw the very first prototype of the iPod into water to prove the point that the engineers were still making the product unnecessarily big, is definitely inspiring. He knew that since air bubbles were coming out, the iPod could have been made more compact. The impossible can be achieved by math alone, but art connects the complex science to our finger tips.

Giving myself some time to observe, I've come to the conclusion that the juxtaposition between the three elements (math, art, and science) are clear. Specialists in their respective professions often have tunnel vision and believe their role in society as a doctor or artist belongs to either: math, art, or science. No grey area. Completely mutually exclusive. The next time I hear someone say that they are more quantitative, less creative, I will challenge them to identify how the best artists are mathematicians, the best scientists are artistically aware. 

[1] Dvorsky, George. "15 Uncanny Examples of the Golden Ratio in Nature."Io9. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr 2014. <http://io9.com/5985588/15-uncanny-examples-of-the-golden-ratio-in-nature>. 

[2] Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. 

<http://www.youtube.com/watch v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>

[3] Meisner, Gary. "Da Vinci and the Divine Proportion in Art Composition." The Golden Number. 7 July 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. 

<http://www.goldennumber.net/leonardo-da-vinci-golden-ratio-art/>.

[4] "Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper." Italian Renaissance. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

<http://www.italianrenaissance.org/a-closer-look-leonardo-da-vincis-last-supper/>

[5] Steve Jobs Dropped The First IPod Prototype Into An Aquarium To Prove A Point." Business Insider. Ed. Steven Tweedie. 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. 

<http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-threw-ipod-prototype-into-an-aquarium-to-prove-a-point-2014-11>.

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Week 1: Two Cultures

Hi, my name is Ariel Jao and I am a fourth year student who has very recently completed her Economics and Accounting degree at UCLA. After restrictively taking pre-requisite after requisite, I am hoping this course will allow me to weave in creativity and incorporate flair into all my work, even though what I am pursuing appears incredibly systematic and rule-obliging.

I acknowledge C. P. Snow’s viewpoint on how schools are responsible for fostering the gap between arts and sciences. Specifically at the great education institute that I am too familiar with, UCLA – as an outsider taking a stroll from the North side of campus to the South side you will notice subtle differences – mainly in architecture. However, when you are mentally engaged in the student community, freshmen orientation group leaders TEACH you about this specific divide which continues to be passed down through each generation.  (At the odd chance that you are ill-informed of this “north-south culture”, north campus refers to arts and humanities majors while south campus pertains to the sciences and engineering ones).

The new thing to do now for students is to diversify our main focus with a sprinkle of edge. For example, now you can easily be an Environmental Studies major with a specialization in computing. These mixes attribute to the point John Brockman tries to make about an ideal third culture. Contrary to past scholars, our generation has become more aware of how art and science do come hand in hand and one can complement the other.

Professor Vesna talks about negative stereotypes that can discourage you from pursuing anything not fitting of your mold. I found this point interesting and when taking a step back and looking at how I have lived my life, I notice that it’s hard to venture out to the extremes because of the lack of structure that may lie there.

In my household, money motivates you and becoming an artist is – unrealistic. I am starting to figure out that the most successful people in this word are artists. In fact, Will Smith one said that being realistic is the most commonly traveled path to mediocrity. Even in finance, the only form of art we can express is through our excel formatting. If you don't consider this technology a form of art, do remember that Bill Gates and his partners created this universal program because he understood from a scientific and quantitative point of view, how office productivity could change the future. And that is artistically genius.

[1] Vesna, Victoria, perf. Two Cultures, Part 2. UC Online Program, 2015. Web. 05 Apr 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUr4xxZ_0gw&feature=youtu.be>.

[2] Snow , C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. 7th. London: The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, 1961. Print.

[3] Kelly, Kevin . "The Third Culture ."Science. N.p., 13 Feb. 1988. Web. 05 Apr 2015.

<http://www.sciencemag.org/content/279/5353/992.full>.

[4] "Street Artist: Blu: The Mural Legend in Berlin – photos and report by Street Art BLN." BLU. Web. 05 Apr 2015. 

<http://www.streetartbln.com/blog/category/artists/blu-artists/>

[5] "Vintage Glory: This Was the Microsoft Team in 1978." Web. 05 Apr 2015. 

<http://www.softpedia.com/blog/Vintage-Glory-This-Was-the-Microsoft-Team-in-1978-293031.shtml>

[6] "And the winner of the North vs. South Campus Challenge is....ALL Bruins!" Web. 05 Apr 2015. 

<http://www.theuclafund.ucla.edu/news/nvschallengewinner.aspx>