Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

The Brain....most powerful and interesting organ of the human body. It controls and maintains the body, as well as conscious and unconscious thoughts. However, the cranium cavity is like the epicenter or capital of a city, in every city there are roads and highways that lead to other areas and help communicate to those other areas. These highways and roads are neurons. In the nervous system, neurons are in charge of communicating between cells, through chemicals and electrical triggers.

Where is the connection between the brain, or neuroscience, and art? Neuro-aestheitics, a new scientific study, which is the study of art by neuroscientists. This term was coined by Samir Zeki. This creates a "neurobiological definition of art." Both V.S. Ramachandran and Semir Zeki created this idea of connecting neuroscience and art.

Works of art are produced with specificities- tools, materials, and techniques. For instance, Annibale Carracci etched the painting below, however he worked this piece with more of a style of an engraver.

Another example of connecting neuroscience and art, is Dr. Gregg Dunn, he invented a new technique to change the way in which the viewer experiences a painting. By Microetchings, which are handmade lithographs that manipulate light on a microscopic scale to control the reflectivity of metallic surfaces in precise ways. 

Work Cited:

Drake, John M. "Ecology, Cognition and Landscape: Linking Natural and Social Systems . Landscape Series, Volume 11. By Almo Farina . Dordrecht (The Netherlands) and New York: Springer. $129.00. Xi + 169 P.; Ill.; Index. ISBN: 978-90-481-3137-2 (hc); 978-90-481-3138-9 (eb). 2010." The Quarterly Review of Biology 87.1 (2012): 55-56. Web.

"Greg Dunn Design | Visual Art | Neuroscience Art | Gold Leaf Painting." Greg Dunn Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://www.gregadunn.com/>.

"How to Build a Bigger Brain." How to Build a Bigger Brain. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/how-to-build-a-bigger-brain-91273>.

"Neuroscience." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroscience>.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fnewsroom.ucla.edu%2Fstories%2Flopsang-rapgay-192875>.

"Swann’s Hypothesis." The New York Times. The New York Times, 03 Nov. 2007. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html?_r=0>.

"The Third Culture - Chapter 14." The Third Culture - Chapter 14. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html>.

Week 6: Biotech + Art

Genetics...such a powerful word. It is a universal commonality, connecting every individual on this planet. However, from genetics comes was drives diversity in the world. The human genome. The dictionary describes it as "the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism."Just like a USB stick or a an old school floppy disk, a genome contains information. But because biology is unbelievably fancy, we get 50% of our genes from our parents. Therefore, imagine that when your mom is pregnant with you, you mom and dads USB sticks combined and divided the information in half to create another USB stick....YOU!

A genome represented as a human

The codes that create the Human Genome, is the smallest unit of matter, DNA. DNA is comprised of four bases. However, the exact order and sequence of the four bases are what drive not just human diversity, but also providing scientists with infinite possibilities. With access to this powerful code, scientists can not just work towards saving/altering lives, but also create new life. 

Edunia by Eduardo Kac

Barry Schuler at TED Talk 

Joe Davis

The Human Genome is not just being used in the scientific field. Artists, such as Barry Schuler, Eduardo Kac, and Joe Davis, have used the genome to create beautiful pieces. Joe Davis, worked directly with scientists, regarding the genome project and inserting into living things. With this information he developed an artisitic piece called the Audio Microscope, and see the effects of sound to e-coli. Eduardo Kac on the other hand, took what he learned about the genome project in the direction of complete artistry. He created what he calls a “plantimal,” a flower that is genetically altered with his blood and a petunia, called “Edunia.” It is the central piece to his “Natural History of Enigma.” Lastly, Barry Schuler, had a TED talk and discussed the endless possibilities for art and science. Like I mentioned earlier, genomics is a composition or gathering of genetic material. Barry Schuler explained how the genome project would be represented similiar to the idea of a USB. 

 The chose to focus on the genome project because it's a powerful unit that is beyond the visibility of a naked eye. 

links:

"Barry Schuler: An Introduction to Genomics." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJXZBCOWMY>.

"NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA." NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://www.ekac.org/nat.hist.enig.html>.

"Understanding Genetics." Understanding Genetics. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://genetics.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/siblings-are-around-fifty-percent-related>.

Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotech Intro NEw." N.p., n.d. Web. <https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFvp924_pbgc>.

"Webcitation.org." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webcitation.org>.

"What's a Genome?" What's a Genome? J. Craig Venter Institute, n.d. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/resources/whats_a_genome/Chp2_2.shtml>.

MIDTERM PROJECT

Abstract
™ The idea behind “Emotional Music,” is connecting ones own emotion and having that emotion being connected to a pandora playlist. We all have headphones, know what pandora is, have emotional spectrum, and have cell phones. The intention behind this proposal, is not just to make a connection between music and emtions, but to also be able to have the music playlist either keep up with the emotion taking place are trying to be a mood changer.

Concept/Topic

• ™  What I am attempting to provide is the use of all kinds of music, in order to make a connection to someone’s personal emotions.
  
• ™  I know for a fact I have bad days, and need slow love ballads to stay in that state, or need pick-me-up songs to flip my day around.
  

Concept & Precedents
™ Every person on our planet has some form of an emotional spectrum, even people who have received lobotomy's still contain some form of emotion. Emotions are not just responses to situations or actions, they are also a way of identification. My idea behind “emotional music,” is show help people get out of a mood, stay in one, or just want to jam out to music and not have to worry about hitting the fast- forward button.

Project Proposal & Image
Taking blue-tooth headphones that are only designed for you and only connected your brain. The amygdala and hippocampus are the main areas of the brain that deal with emotions,

Project Proposal & Image cont.
™ The Limbic System of our human bodies are connected to emotions, learning, and memory. Imagine if we could have music connected to all of that. Someone could know how you are feeling by the playlist you are listening to.
™

Project Proposal & Image cont.
™ As worn as headphones, you also need a display mechnanism for this device. It is a watch directly connected to the headphones. Someone can look at your watch and it will display the type of playlist and the emotions connected to it.

Conclusion
™ To conclude, emotions are very powerful. They are either really good are really bad. I am thinking about taking a device that does not just recognize your emotions, but also plays music to either keep you stable or attempts to flip your emotions. I think it will be a powerful thing. Every one wants the new best piece of technology, why not a watch and a pair of blue-tooth headphones that attach to your limbic system. That is my idea: Emotional Music!

Bibliography
"The Fashion World Reacts to Apple Watch." N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fnymag.com%2Fthecut %2F2014%2F09%2Fis-the-apple-watch-actually-stylish-enough.html>.
"The Main Areas Involved with Emotions." The Main Areas Involved with Emotions. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n05/mente/struct_i.htm.\
"The Main Areas Involved with Emotions." The Main Areas Involved with Emotions. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n05/mente/struct_i.htm.
"What's Your Companies Emotion Score? Introducing Net Emotional Value (NEV) and Its Relationship to NPS and CSAT -." Beyond Philosophy. N.p., 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 04 May 2015. http://beyondphilosophy.com/whats-your-companies-emotion-score-introducing-net-emotional-value-nev-and-its- relationship-to-nps-and-csat/.
"Who Am I?" Which Area of Your Brain Controls Emotions? N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <http:// www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/WhoAmI/FindOutMore/Yourbrain/Whatareemotions/ Whichareaofyourbraincontrolsemotions.aspx>.