Medicine+Technology+Art

This week's topic is the correlation between medicine, technology and art. Professor Vesna helped me gain new insights about how artists use medical technology in order to influence art. I learned that human dissection is truly the at the intersection of medicine and art. We've been cutting open bodies since almost the beginning of recorded human history with ancient Egyptians mummifying dead bodies. Ancient Greeks also used dissection but in a scientific way. Andreas Vesalius was the author of one of the most influential books in the medical history, on human anatomy called "De Humani Corporis Fabrica." Also, in lecture, we learned about Orlan, an artist who uses herself as a work of art by undergoing many operations. I believe that the artist goes too far to use technology and medicine. I personally don't see it as a work of art. 

In this week's lecture, plastic surgery intrigued me the most. This field is a big controversy because some think it's wrong to modify what you were born with, but some argue they can do whatever they want to their body. Plastic surgery is common in South Korea. Many teens wish to get plastic surgery as a "sweet 16" gift from their parents. Plastic surgery has been ingrained into the culture. I believe that plastic surgery has gone crazy compared to the old times. 

There is a Korean show that is about plastic surgery, called “Let Me In.” In the show, people from different cities in Korea come to tell their story of how their appearance had ruined their lives. The judges then, get to choose one lucky contestant to get free plastic surgery. In the end, they provide plastic surgery to the person and make them “beautiful.”

I’ve watched a couple episodes of this show, I was utterly appalled. I was very embarrassed to call myself Korean because this show advertised plastic surgery. It encouraged many people to modify their bodies because they didn’t feel “beautiful.”

After -> Before (Plastic Surgery gone wrong)

This is Hang Mioku. She was a model who was addicted to plastic surgery. She injected cooking oil into her face. Unfortunately, she has been left permanently disfigured-leaving her face swollen and scarred. She admitted that she was obsessed with having smoother and softer skin.  

In my opinion, I don’t believe that artists like Orlan, who undergoes plastic surgery portray the beauty of art. Many people strive for perfection in today’s society to look and feel beautiful. Even though we have the technology to fix it, I don't believe that it's right for people to undergo surgery just because they are not happy with their appearances. Everyone is beautiful in their own skins and I wish for people to embrace their flaws.

Sources:

"Carnal Art / Art Charnel." Orlan-Carnal Art. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Evans, Becky. "Woman Who Injected Cooking Oil" Mail Online. Associated   Newspapers, 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Idhospitalkorea. "Korea Plastic Surgery before and After, Let Me in Season 4." YouTube,. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2016. 

Orlan–Carnal Art (2001) Documentary. Dir. Stéphan Oriach. Perf. Orlan. N.d. Film. YouTube. Web. 23 April 2016. 

Vesna, Victoria. Uconlineprogram. "Medicine Pt. 1-3." YouTube. Lecture, 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

  

Robotics+Art

When I think about robotics, the first thing that comes to my mind is the future. I can’t help but to also think about how scary it would be if robots overruled the world. 

“Will the machines want to take over? And here the standard scenario is that we create these things, they grow, we nurture them, they learn a lot from us, and then they start to decide that we're pretty boring, slow. They want to take over from us.” (Ted Talk, Rodney Brook)

Movies like “I, Robot” make us doubt our futuristic technologies. I, Robot is about the future, 2035 where highly intelligent robots fill public service positions and keep humans safe. Will Smith investigates the alleged suicide of a U.S. Robotics founder and thinks that a robot murdered him. He then discovers a conspiracy that may enslave the human population. (IMDb)

In the readings, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," Benjamin says that our sense change within society’s change in existence and a shift in perception. The way we view and look at art is different from how we used to view it years ago. I totally agree with this statement, because art has advanced over the years. “A painting as an aura while a photograph does not; the photograph is an image of an image while the painting remains utterly original" (Benjamin, Walter).

For instance, a cameraman intervenes with what we see in a way which a painting can never do. He also "analyzes how mechanical reproduction destroys or puts an end to the idea of uniqueness or authenticity of aura, labeled in the work of art. The idea of original is broken down" (Lecture, Vesna).

Like Benjamin stated, we have shifted from paintings to photographs and now more towards television. Most of the arts we see today are portrayed in movies. For example, movies like Transformers and Big Hero 6 portray the perfect example of futuristic robotic art.

Industrialization has changed the world. It completely changed the way we live our lives now. It allowed the growth of industry and also fueled economic growth. Also, thanks to the industrial revolution, world trade improved tremendously. It also led a lot of oppurtunities. "With the growth of factory jobs people were able to leave the homestead and find different work from what their parents did" (NLCATP). Thanks to industrialization, our lives have been changed for the better.

Sources:

Brook, Rodney. "Transcript of "Robots Will Invade Our Lives"" Rodney Brooks: Robots Will Invade Our Lives. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

<http://www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots/transcript?language=en#t-913000>

Crashcourse. "Coal, Steam, and The Industrial Revolution: Crash Course World History #32." YouTube. YouTube, 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhL5DCizj5c >

Disney Animation. ""Discovery" Clip - Big Hero 6." YouTube. YouTube, 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEeBXUUOBiI>

"Plot Summary: I, Robot" IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/plotsummary>

"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Walter Benjamin. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

<https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm>

Vesna, Victoria. Robotics Intro. YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 17 Apr. 2016. Web

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRw9_v6w0ew&index=25&list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7>

Week 2

Math+Art

Wait, what? There is a connection between math and art?! Just like how I reacted, many people don't realize the relation between these two ideas. Believe it or not, through mathematics, art such as painting and sculptures can be perceived.

In the lecture video, I learned that the Babylonian mathematics would indicate a space between the sexagesimal numerals for the lack of a positional value. Also, the idea about perspective came from the East and derived from al-Hytham, a Muslim scholar. During the Renaissance, artists used grids to accurately portray scenes on a flat surface. Linear perspective and projective geometry are examples of how art and mathematics evolved simultaneously.

Vanishing point: the point of the horizon at which receding lines of the perspective converge 

Brunelleschi was credited with the first correct formulation of linear perspective. He made the discovery of a single vanishing point. He correctly computed the relation of length of an object and length of the picture depending on its distance behind a plane of a canvas.

Leonardo da Vinci developed mathematical formulas to compute the relationship between distance and the eye to the object. People perceived the "Vitruvian Man" as a simple drawing but the image portrays the perfect example of Leonardo’s interest in proportion. The drawing “proportions of a man’s body first standing inscribed in a square and then with feet and arms outspread inscribed in a circle provides an excellent early example of the way in which his studies of proportion fuse artistic and scientific objectives" (The Vitruvian Man).

Lastly, from reading, “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art, Linda Dalrymple Henderson explains two concepts of space beyond immediate perception. The curved space of non-Euclidean geometry and fourth dimension of space, were crucial to the development of modern art. The artist, Duchamp was influenced by Poincare. 

Fold the models, then teach them to others. If you can learn this form of communication, you will be blessed with a satisfaction that no other art form can give.

Origami is a great interplay of math and art. The folded model is both an art and geometric figure. "When you fold the traditional waterbomb base, you have created the crease pattern with eight congruent right triangles" (Paper Folding). 

 The juxtaposition of math and art is like a married couple. The husband and wife may have different views/ideas, but one thing they share is their love for one another. Math and art come together to create the beauty in our society. 

Sources:

Earle, James. "Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man of Math." Ted Ed. Youtube, 9 April 2016. Web. N.P.

<http://ed.ted.com/lessons/da-vinci-s-vitruvian-man-of-math-james-earle#review>

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo. 17.3 (1984): 205-210. Print.

"Leonardo's Vitruvian Man." The Vitruvian Man. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

 "Origami & Math." Origami & Math. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2016. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>

WEEK 1: TWO CULTURES

“Since the gap between the rich countries and the poor can be removed, it will be. If we are shortsighted, inept, incapable either of good-will or enlightened self-interest, then it may be removed to the accompaniment of war and starvation: but removed it will be. The questions are, how, and by whom.” ― C.P. Snow, The Two Cultures

The readings, "Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution," by C.P Snow and "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between," by Victoria Vesna opened my eyes about the truth of our society. I had never realized that art and science had a correlation. Just like how Snow's readings are titled "Two Culture," I always thought they were from two different concepts that would never work well together. But I was wrong. After the readings, I had realized that there are many similarities between science and art that majority of the people in the society don't realize. I, myself have never realized how art and science play an important role in our lives. 

Art & Science

Snow introduced the two cultures of humanities and science. Just like Snow talks about the two different bridges of culture, I, myself can agree to his understandings. I had taken introduction to psychology 10 during my fall quarter of college and realized that although we learn about why humans act a certain way, we also learn about the functions of our brain. Michael Kraus states in his article that "psychology is a small science."

 Dream Career: Teacher: 

Although the role of a teacher is to help students get an education, we also have to learn how to nurture and treat our students. Teachers also play the roles of being a doctor and a parent. Teachers nurse and nourish the students. 

http://xpatnation.com/why-america-is-heaven-on-earth-for-koreans/#.o70A90u5m
Korean Culture and American Culture:

Since my parents were from South Korea, the way they want me to live my life is different from an American. It's as if I had been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder because based on the community I'm around, my personality changes. Luckily, as I got older, I have learned to accustom to my different speech communities.

Sources:

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.

Kraus, Michael W. "The Psychology of the "Psychology Isn't a Science" Argument." Psychology Is a Science Even Though Some Psychologists Aren't Scientists. N.p., 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Differences Between America and Korea. N.p., 02 Apr 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x41yb2ce7R0>

"Membership." Educational Leadership:Teachers as Leaders:Ten Roles for Teacher Leaders. N.p., 1 May 2015. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.