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SPACE + ART “Space-Scape #1.” 2046 Print Shop , 2046printshop.com/shop/prints/art-print/space-scape-1/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7cGUBhA9EiwArBAvomygmgJheB_aht1xYiEH_PXmAqdAELMNpeSzRZqjQ1Q_eygtTTXAohoCQLQQAvD_BwE This week was a perfect subsequent topic and culmination of the past couple weeks of nanotechnology, mathematics, and more (Vesna). This week, Professor Vesna focused on the impacts of the combination of space and art. Space and art, despite their differences are very influential upon each other, and art has been and still is playing a major role in the encouragement of space advancement and exploration. The examples and history explained behind this influential exchange between the two subjects I found to be very eye-opening. Additionally, this week’s readings and lectures emphasized the impact of art and how that impact can lead to something even bigger and unexpected. There are many different art mediums and projects that have impacted how space advancement occurred and came to be. ...

NANOTECHNOLOGY + ART “Premium Vector: Nanotechnology Icons Set. Flat Set of Nanotechnology Vector Icons Isolated on White Background.”   Freepik , 19 Jan. 2022, www.freepik.com/premium-vector/nanotechnology-icons-set-flat-set-nanotechnology-vector-icons-isolated-white-background_22518874.htm.   This week, Professor Vesna and Dr. James Gimzewski introduced and discussed the topic of nanotechnology along with art. The idea of nanotechnology, and the concepts surrounding nanotechnology I found a bit difficult to grasp. According to both Professor Vesna and Dr. Gimzewski, “nanotechnology is more a new science than technology” (Vesna, Gimzewski). In this week’s materials we learned about the history behind nanoscience and technology, but also I learned about how much it effects our society today. Prior to this week I have heard the terms nano before, but Dr. Gimsewski discussed its significance in our daily lives, the most interesting areas he discussed were those in the medical fi...

JESSICA IRISH'S THE MORTAL PLASTIK This past Thursday, I attended Jess Irish’s talk about her award-winning documentary, the Mortal Plastik . I really enjoyed this topic, her documentary, and the talk as a whole. All of the aspects of this hour long seminar were equally intriguing to me.   one of the opening scenes in the Mortal Plastik Jess Irish is a currently a professor at the New School in New York City, which is a part of Parsons. She is an “award-winning artist, designer and writer who makes lyrical nonfiction films and cross-genre media” (Faculty). She has created various documentaries, however the Mortal Plastik focused on the environmental harm that plastic is causing in our world today.   Jess Irish while speaking about her documentary a scene from the Mortal Plastik  a toxic plant photo overlayed with all the chemicals used The talk started out with the viewing of the documentary, and then transitioned into Irish talking about the backstory and origins of her ...

NEUROSCIENCE  + ART This week was spent discussing topics that fall under the umbrella of neuroscience and art. Professor Vesna covered many intriguing topics and ideas. She spoke about the conscious mind, the unconscious mind, dreams, and how drugs such as cocaine and LSD impact our brain. While I found the range of topics very interesting, I took a deeper interest into the ideas of dreams and how we dream. Pawula, Sandra, et al. “The Neuroscience of Building a Resilient Brain.”   The Best Brain Possible , 28 Aug. 2019, thebestbrainpossible.com/neuroscience-resilient-brain-stress/.   Before talking about dreams, one thing I enjoyed learning about was the literal merging of art and neuroscience topics, particularly with Suzanne Anker’s MRI butterfly (Vesna). In the ‘fMRI Butterfly’, there are “15 seemingly unspecified and identical brain scans [that] are arranged in a grid […] and at [each] centre of each frame is an image of a butterfly, on each of which Anker superimpos...

BIOTECHNOLOGY + ART VectorPot. “Biotechnology Icon Set Vector Image on Vectorstock.”   VectorStock , 25 May 2016, www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/biotechnology-icon-set-vector-8967444.   This week’s reading covered many interesting topics having to do with the ideas of biotechnology in our society. It also served as a unique perspective on this often and “most controversial topic” of this course due to the artistic lens applied in our lectures and readings (Vesna).   While there were a variety of artistic pieces and topics discussed, the ideas surrounding the genetic engineering of DNA and animals was the topic I found to be most intriguing.   “What Is Contemporary Art?”   Escape Into Life , 2022, www.escapeintolife.com/essays/what-is-contemporary-art-mark-kerstetter/.   One of these projects that I found interest in was about “Alba” the fluorescent bunny. Alba was an albino (without pigment) bunny that was genetically modified with a GFP gene foun...

BIOART TALK: WE'RE ALL LIVING IN AN ESTROWORLD For my first event, I attended the BioTalk Series: We’re all living in an Estroworld by Mary Maggic. Prior to my attendance, I was not sure what to expect, despite the fact that Maggie’s topics seemed very intriguing. Maggic is a very involved and accomplished person in the world of ‘biohacking’ and is diving deep into the world of how our bodies “queer at the molecular level” (Maggic).   Maggic, Mary. “We're All Living in the Estroworld - Sanctuary for Independent Media.”  The Sanctuary For Independent Media , www.mediasanctuary.org/event/were-all-living-in-the-estroworld/. I thought this was an extremely interesting application to the gender roles and norms we see today, but also a great addition to the material learned in class this week. This week we learning about the intersection between art and medical technology. For example, Professor Vesna discussed how plastic surgery and prosthetics emerged from injuries obtained in wa...