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/>.