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Showing posts from May, 2024

Week 9: Space + Art

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Space sounds like something that is so far away yet so close. As we approach the end of the course, we can see that a wide variety of sciences and arts relate to each other, as 'we are using nanotechnology and space, biotechnology and mathematics, and robotics, all coming together in relation to our consciousness' (Vesna). Our world can be understood simply by the powers of ten, such as a colossal Milky Way galaxy measured at 10 to the 18th power (1,000 light-years). Conversely, the same concept can be used to calculate something as microscopic as three hydrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom with a force measured at 10 to the -9th power (10 ångstroms) in our human body (Eames Office). Powers of Ten  As we delve into space, James Cameron, the famous director, highlights the profound connection between the deep ocean and outer space in his documentary. In 2012, the renowned filmmaker embarked on a journey to the deepest place on Earth, the Mariana Trench, in a 24-foot submersible

Week 8: NanoTech+ Art

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  In this week's lecture , Dr. Gimzewski introduces the concept of nanotechnology, highlighting how nanotechnology exists in various ways that we can interact with in our daily lives, such as through food, agriculture, and technology. In fact, we may have nanoparticles on our skin right now that we are unaware of (Gimzewski).   Nanoparticles are incredibly tiny particles of a given substance, measuring less than 100 nm in thickness. To put their size in perspective, a nanometer is 1,000 times smaller than the thickness of a single strand of hair (Palmer).  Dr. Gimzewski specifically mentions the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials in skincare products, such as sunscreens and other cosmetic products. Recent research has shown that nanoparticles can extend the shelf  life  of cosmetic items by preventing the breakdown of active ingredients (Pandey). The everyday product, sunscreens, often use nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which provide broad-spectrum UV protec

Event #2: Ellen Levy artist talk

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During the Zoom artist talk  event with Ellen Levy, one of the topics she introduced that stood out to me was the role of attention in exhibitions. Levy delves into whether technology is outpacing our sensorial capacities and whether training in art enables the individual to create a state of multidimensional awareness (Levy).   The Gorilla Experiment The Gorilla Experiment conducted on radiologists The gorilla experiment on selective attention and inattention blindness  was conducted  to investigate the potential of art as a vehicle to study attention and its disorders (Levy). Not only does this topic connect to art, but it is also relevant to the study of psychology, as we examined the result that if we are paying very close attention to one thing, we often fail to notice other things in our vision field, even if the object is clearly in front of our eyes (APS). Additionally, another similar study was conducted on medical experts and revealed that most radiologists did not see the su

Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

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  This week's topic of the unconscious mind and dreams was  extremely  captivating. The brain is the most complex part of the human body, as it is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior (NIH). Anything is possible in our dreams, and many people, including myself, have always wondered why  certain  dreams occur and if there are many meanings to them. The unconscious mind plays a pivotal role in neuroscience, as it is all the processes of the mind that are not available to consciousness, including repressed feelings, automatic skills, unacknowledged perceptions, thoughts, desires, and automatic reactions (Vesna). Sigmund Freud greatly influenced this concept of mind, as he connects the unconscious mind with dreams, first arguing that the motivation of all dream content is wish-fulfillment and that the instigation of a dream is often to  be found  in the events of the day preceding the dream, which he calls this the