Week 4: MedTech + Art

When first thinking about art, my mind does not automatically start thinking about the medical field or medicinal technology. However, the resources and the videos from this week, have caused me to have a whole new appreciation for their connection.

The medical field has evolved drastically. During the Renaissance, people cut human bodies open to discover what was inside, like the bigger parts. Now we have machines and the technology to see what is going inside and seeing the human body beyond the visibility of the naked eye. Our human bodies are absolutely beautiful and so powerful, even with the simplest of processes, like breathing or thinking. Now we have the technology to look at the activity of the brain, causing the result screen to light up like christmas tree or put on a light show.

Normal Brain Scan

How the Brain transmits information

Now another way to correlate the medical field and art, is talking about plastic surgery or surgery in general. the human body is a canvas. For instance, when someone tattoos their skin, they are creating a walking masterpiece.  Another example, is plastic surgery, the surgeons performing the surgery are altering the original composition of your body to your specifications. Interestingly enough, plastic surgery has existed for four thousand years, and India was its birthplace. Surgery, in my opinion, is an art. It is series of very slow and very controlled movements. Surgeons are a complete masters of their craft. Doctors all follow the Hippocratic oath. The most historical and sacred doctrine, in the medical field.

This week really opened my perspective of connecting worldly, considered normal, tasks or things and finding the beauty, plus an artistic value to it.
Citations:

Lecture Part 1. Perf. Victoria Vesna. Medicine + Technology + Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.

Tyson, Peter. "The Hippocratic Oath Today." PBS. PBS, 27 Mar. 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Bodies© INCorporated." Bodies© INCorporated. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.bodiesinc.ucla.edu/>.

Week 3: Robotics and Art

This week's topic is about the power and influence of technology towards art. Professor Vesna mentioned in her lecture video that the first robot was in theaters in the 1920s. Nowadays, we have robots all over the place. From Terminator, to I-Robot, even in animation, Wall-e.

However, Walter Benjamin, a critic, philosopher, radio broadcaster, and an essayist, argued in his essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, that technology may not always have a positive impact. Benjamin explains how the mechanical reproduction of art, or mass producing art, can take away from the creativity and originality (1-20). Walter Benjamin's point he made, makes me think of Walmart or Target where you see so many pictures or posters for sale. Yes they are great, but they are basically a blown up basic photo. 

But, even though that mass producing art may be seen as a negative, art is still appreciated. Art and Science are both beautiful things. They work together in complete harmony. Like mentioned before, Wall-E is clear clear example. This adorable robot, is also amazing. Wall-E collects thrown away material, and tries to create something of his own (Wall-E). 

Citations:

Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Marxists. N.p.. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm>.

Vesna, Victoria. “CoLE.” CoLE. N.p.. Web. 18 Apr 2015. <https://cole.uconline.edu/~UCLA-201209-12F-DESMA-9-1

Unit 2: Math and Art

This week’s topic involves the connection between mathematics and art. Ironically enough art is filled with math. For instance, the picture above is of the Great Pyramids of Giza. These pyramids are known to be a meaningful landmark, but also referred to as a beautiful artistic creation. I was fascinated that a simple shape, like a pyramid, is a beacon for royalty and power. 

In Flatland by Edwin Abbott, he explains the connection between civilization and art. He also describes the perception of art. For instance, his example was to place a penny in the middle of a table. If you look at it from above, it will appear to be a circle. In addition, Good Will Hunting is movie about Matt Damon playing a role of a math genius, however his skills aren’t just regarded as nerdy, but as breath taking and beautiful.

Many artists see science and art on the same playing field, but Leonardo Da Vinci, sees no division at all. He is an artist and also an innovator. He did amazing work and will forever be remembered as the man who constructed the Mona Lisa and the last Super.

Math and art go hand in hand. Artists construct and connect shapes, lines, and colors. Everything an artist does is very scientific. However, I think every artist has their own identity within their style of art, meaning that an artist defines his own scientific style to his art.

CITATIONS:

Abbott, Edwin Abbott. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1963. Print.

Good Will Hunting. Perf. Matt Damon. Miramax Films, 1997. DVD.

Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov. Perf. Victoria Vesna. N.p., 9 Apr. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg>.

Week 1: Two Cultures

The term two cultures, is quite interesting to me because I feel like a live a two cultured life. for instance, I am a student-athlete. I play centerfield for UCLA softball, yet I am still a Political Science major. 

This is me robbing a home run, last year against Kentucky in post season. 

This is Easton Stadium, the prettiest field I have the honor to play on.

This is the Space Needle. This picture represents where I am from. I was born and raised in Seattle. i moved down to California when I was 13. 

This picture is by Azusa Pacific, but the reason why I took it and have uploaded it in this blog post, is a clear representation of my faith. I am a Christian and I will never have any fear of voicing that out.

As a softball player for UCLA, you get the opportunity to play on a team, that is basically your family. Well this group of girls in this picture are my ride or die girls. They are the best of friends and they always have my back. We are all unique and crazy, but one thing is for sure, we are a family. 

This is my family, They mean the absolute world to me. I would not be who I am today, without them by my side. 

The idea of "Two Cultures," is very powerful. I personally feel like I live a double life because I have my athletic life, as well as my academic life. However, They go hand in hand. Through my athletics, I have been given the opportunity to represent UCLA on the softball field, in addition to receiving a degree from the most prestigious university in the world. 

David Bohm, struck me very deep, with his take on creativity. He says "creativity cannot be defined in words." Interestingly enough, I totally agree. Creativity is based upon and defined by the individual. Personally, creativity is something that an individual conjured up in their mind and actually presented to someone else. However, after reading David's perspective, I found myself questioning and changing my own definition. In addition, creativity, in my opinion, is the thing that is least likely to be judged by the outsider. Judging one's creativity, is like judging someones personality or genetic make-up. Unfortunately, you can judge all you want, yet you still won't make a change in that person. 

Two Cultures is apparent in all places, even when you are not even looking. This idea speaks volumes. Everyone has two cultures. This term can be taken both literally and as a figuratively.  I am an athlete, yet I am still a student. I am an adult, yet still apart of a family. I am a teammate of UCLA softball, but also a Christian. This idea of of two cultures is in all of us and always surrounding us. 

CITATIONS:

Bohm, D. "On Creativity." Leonardo 1.2 (1968): 137-49. JSTOR. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.

All the pictures are from my IPhoto.