Week 5, nanotech, space and art

I was surprised to find out that both Nanotechnology and Space Science had already been developing in the 20^th century, as I was only familiar with these concepts after I attended middle school. During the late 20^th century, when science and technology were still not that developed as what we see today, scientists used their creativity to find multiple ways of research. Indeed, both science and art are about creativity and exploration.

Nanotech+ Art

 The development of nanotechnology has provided art with another form of presentation. Before listening to this week’s lecture, I was wondering whether art works can be made smaller applying nanotechnology.  In fact, Joe Davis, an artist that I read about last week, has confirmed my thoughts by his genome research.

Nanotechnology is not only a medium of art, but also an inspiration to artists. A nanotechnology artist, Murray Robertson, established a online Nanomedicine gallery. When I browsed through the pictures, I found out that all works he has done are inspired by the research of cells, atoms and molecules. The drawings are indeed beautiful, as the images we see directly from electro- microscopes are already amazing.

 

a beautiful picture inspired by the study of nanotechnology

 

I also read an article about preserving art in the nano scale. A nanofluid system to restore wall paintings has been developed by Italian scientists. In this case, art initiates science development as we all know that art works are invaluable treasure.

Space+ Art

It is not hard to build relationship between space and art. They both have been fascinated us for long time. Science fictions are always somehow related to space science, as space is always an unknown world to us, and we know that there is always things there worth exploring.

 

The Space is one of the most popular theme in aritistic industry

As space science develops, space art has become more ‘scientific’. To some extent, space science limits the creativity of artists. Before space was studied, artists do not need to consider the ‘facts’ of the universe. In such an era when research of the space is booming, artists can still choose to stick to their own fascination of the universe, but  in my opinion they can be affected.

Though space science may have some adverse impact on art work, it does give artists the opportunity to try what are used to be impossible. I read this article about an art project, ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’, and it is the development of space research and physics that made this show possible.

 

walking on the ceiling was once just imagination, and it is realized by space science

 

Looking at pictures made by Chesley Bonestell gives me the impulse to explore the universe, and I bet that I am not the only one who has gained such idea. Art promotes space science when more ordinary people like me become fans of the world outside the earth.

Citation:

art in the age of nanotechnology, A Perth International Arts Festival exhibition, http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology

Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand? National Geographic News, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology.html

Maiken Lilley, The Art of Nanotech, NOVA, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/art-nanotech.html

Preserving art at the nanoscale, http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemScience/Volume/2010/08/Preserving_art.asp

Nanotechnology Artist- Murray Robertson, Hank Pellissier, Ethical Technology, http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/pellissier20120116

Dance on the ceiling, art and zero gravity, http://zerogravity.empac.rpi.edu/

The art of Chesley Bonestell, http://www.bonestell.org/

Radiation Art http://weirdgalaxy.com/display.php?id=39