ellenkDESMA9

At the Coyotes in Two Directions. I attended the exhibition, Coyotes in Two Directions by Sarah Rosalena Brady. When I entered the room, there were three pieces on each side of the room. On the left side of the room, there was a pole with balls merged together at the top. It reminded me of the rattle snake’s tail. At the middle of the room, there was a mechanism with 6 poles that hand a coyote’s finger on each. The poles moved every couple second to create new alignment. On the right side of the room were two poles, each with the feet of the coyotes. This exhibition is a new body of kinetic works, representing the idea of shapeshifting in the oldest forms of totemism and shamanism (“UCLA Design Media Arts”). Located at the left side of the room. Located at middle wall of room. Located at the right side of room. The coyotes draw from Southwest Native American philosophy (“UCLA Design Media Arts”).   Coyotes are believed to be capable of shapeshifting (Eat...

The original Batmobile.  I visited the Petersen Automotive Museum for my 4 th event. The first self-propelled vehicle was created in 1769 by Nicholas Cugnot (“Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot”). In a span of 200 years, the automotive industry has seen diverse changes in its mechanical components and its design. As we have discussed in class regarding the lecture of robotics and art, the designs of cars were heavily affected by media and the public’s desire (Vesna). The appearance and functions of cars depended on art. One of my favorite cars on display at the museum, was the Batmobile from the movie, Batman. Unlike ordinary cars, the Batmobile is a sleek black lowrider with wings and curves. This customized vehicle is the iconic symbol of Batman’s car. Back to the Future car. Batman movie appeared in 1939. Influenced by the design of Batmobile and other car designs such as the back to the future car, cars changed in appearance from Ford Model T T3 to 1955 Mercury or 1...

For my third event, I went to the Museum of Jurassic Technology. They do not allow photography inside the museum, so I will be using images from the Museum of Jurassic Technology’s website and other sources to explain what I had seen.   Proof of attendance at the Museum of Jurassic Technology The Museum of Jurassic Technology held multiple exhibitions and collections that were related to our studies in Desma 9. My favorite exhibition was the Micromosaics of Harald Henry Dalton. Henry Dalton was a prominent physician and was a well-skilled micrographer, who created microscopic creations through design of numerous butterfly wings (“The Life of Work of Henry Dalton”). Although beautiful in craftsmanship, his art is controversial. Every shard on Dalton’s creation is an individual scale of a butterfly’s wings. To create one artwork, he would be sacrificing hundreds of butterflies. Contemporary art, such as this, degrades animals and insects to the status of mere artistic ma...

Tardigrade: sea caterpillars Space is filled with mysteries. Despite the constant research, we are left to our imaginations on the possibilities of planets with different atmosphere and species. With so many unknowns, art helps to explore and visually demonstrate and explain diverse planets that exist in our universe. Many artists and scientist base their imaginations through research on the species of our own planet (Greicius). For example, tardigrades are sea caterpillars capable of surviving the hardiest environment on Earth and are micro animals (Newitz). They are incapable of being seen through the naked eye; however, through research and observations, artists were able to create a drawing of tardigrades (Bradford). This allows the public to understand what realistic alien species live in different planets instead of the common green alien shown in movies. Arecibo Message Another combination of art and space is shown through the Arecibo message. Arecibo message i...

As our current society evolves, not only does the scale of our research and inventions grow but also decreases. Nanotechnology is the science at nanoscale and can change physical and chemical properties of elements (“What Is Nanotechnology?”). As the scientist dive into the nano world, they can create tiny worlds. An example of the artistic creation is by Professor Alex Zettl, who created the first world’s smallest synthetic motor, and James Tour, who made the first nano car without a motor shown below (“World’s Smallest ‘Electric Car’ Is Only the Size of a Molecule”). The total size of the car is only one molecule and is invisible to the human eye. As Professor Vesna and Professor Gimzewski mentioned during lecture, working at such a small-scale cause distortion in the common relationships of our world.   Such incredible feat is combination of art and nanotechnology.  Nano Car Of One Molecule Size Additionally, art allows the audience to better understand nanote...

 Dreaming while sleeping As Professor Vesna has mentioned in lecture, the human brain is still a mystery to us. Despite the numerous research on dreams and how the mind works, we have yet to have conclusive fact on why we dream (Webmd). Artists have used this unknown factor as the basis for diverse movies and allows the audience to explore the possibility of the mind. An example is the movie, Inception, a neo-noir science fiction heist film about a thief who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious (IMDB). Dominick and Arthur are extractors of information and they enter a dream world where they can plant an idea in a person’s subconscious. The film writer and director of the movie explore the use of shared dreams and what dreams mean to us. Some neuroscientists believe that dreams reflect subconscious desires and mainly influence people’s decisions and attitudes (American Psychological Association). Inception uses this idea to show how once Dominick and Arthur im...

Genetically Modifying Crop Biotechnology is a combination of art and technology. It is closely tied to genetically modified animals and crops. Although biotechnology brings advantages, it alters the DNA structure and changes the natural behavior of the animal and crop. Dolly, the first cloned sheep Genetically Modified Chicken compared to the past. For example, dolly was a female domestic sheep and it was the first to be cloned. Specifically, it is the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell using process of nuclear transfer. Dolly is an advancement in biotechnology as it opens the path towards cloning humans to transfer bodies or creating bodies for extra organs. It relates to art as scientists’ approach perfectly cloning mammals. However, reasons for genetically modifying mammals are not always for pure research. Currently, many famers genetically modify their chickens to lay more eggs and to gain weight in a shorter amount of time than regular chic...

For my second event, I attended the exhibition, “Cut! Paper Play in Contemporary Photography” at the Getty Center. The exhibition features work of artists who use paper as their main medium to deliver their messages.  Picture of Midnight Reykjavik by Soo Kim. The above image is of the work of Soo Kim, “Midnight Reykjavik #5”. This was my favorite piece as it uses two layers of paper cutout to represent the indoor of the homes. Usually when we take in an aerial view or a photo of a landscape, we are only able to see the roofs of the homes and never the inside. I found it interesting to see the cutouts that show the inside of the houses, a new perspective on the setting. Additionally, other artists at the exhibit use different methods to portray 3D by cutting out paper. The work by Christiane Feser, “Partition 31” was mesmerizing. The picture looks 3D; however, as shown on the right side of the above picture, its 3D nature is shown through cut outs of small squares ...

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After reviewing Professor Vesna’s lecture regarding medical technologies and art, I agree that art and medicine cannot be separated. I was most intrigued about the play of art in plastic surgery. I did not realize that plastic surgery originated during the war. A soldier who had facial reconstruction after facial injury.  As BBC states, facial injuries would most likely occur due to shrapnel, causing the blast to rip a face off. It was only due to Harold Gillies that plastic surgery was developed and began facial reconstruction. Although initially, plastic surgery occurred to save lives, it is now considered cosmetic surgery.  Features that could be improved through cosmetic surgery. Coming from South Korea, where plastic surgery is prevalent, I automatically connect plastic surgery to aesthetic purposes. The general population in America associates cosmetic surgery to raising the nose bone or breast implants; however, in Korea, cosmetic surgery ranges...

For my first event, I attended the Lawrence Abu Hamden exhibition at the Hammer Museum. Through use of audiovisual, Lawrence demonstrates the Syrian military prison north of Damascus. Most of the prisoners were blindfolded in their cell and Lawrence uses audiovisual to represent their experience.   Lawrence Abu Hamden exhibition setup. Picture of myself outside the exhibition in front of introductory panel. First, when I entered the space, it had a speaker on the side and a wall with jagged edged at the front. Behind the wall were projectors showing lines crisscrossing each other to demonstrate the precepted image of the prisoners through sound.  I found this exhibition very interesting as it closely relates to the math and art we have discussed and learned through Professor Vesna's video lecture. Lawrence uses the speakers and jagged wall to replicate the echoes in the prison. It utilizes diffusion, which causes the echo and disharmonious sound. On the ...

Art has inspired engineers in many occasions, especially for robotics. As Professor Machiko Kusahara has said, the TV show, astro boy, affects Japan’s view of robotics. Astro boy goes around and saves many people in crisis. With such thought in mind, many engineers create robots in the shape of a child such as pepper, the humanoid robot. I have met the pepper robot and it is a small statured friendly robot. It speaks happily and makes small jokes on the side.  Pepper, the humanoid robot. Not only humanoid robots, but also robots that accomplish simple tasks are inspired from media. In the movie, Back to the Future, the director and screenwriter envisioned a futuristic world with multiple robots implemented in our lives. One of their famous creations is the shoe that can tie itself. From enthused response of viewers, Nike has made the Nike Mag. Art has many positive influence on robots and provide creativity.   Back to the Future, Nike Mag. However, not me...

I first explored arts through math when a created a cube in elementary school. Depending on where I focused my eyes, I would see the cube in a different placement and it had fascinated me. It was surprising to learn later that these geometric shapes could be used to created a 3D sketch of landscape. Cube that could be seen in different layout by focusing on lower left corner or on upper right corner. Additionally, when I learned about the Mona Lisa or the Girl with Pearl Earring paintings, I never understood why they were famous. It was only after understanding about the golden rule, which was mentioned in lecture, that I understood the significance of these paintings. Especially with the Girl with Pearl Earring, due to the golden ratio centered at her eyes, it appears as if her eyes follow you as you move. Such influence in visual allows one to feel as if the 2D painting is 3D and as if the painting is alive. It is also common to see effect of math on landscapes, which allows...

As a mechanical engineering student at UCLA, I spend majority of my time at Boelter hall and Engineering IV. It is true that our school is divided to north and south campus; however, even as a south campus major, I do not venture to other STEM buildings.  Map of UCLA with different subdivision. Yellow represents the north campus and orange represents the south campus. As Sir Ken Robinson state in the RSA Animate video, universities have facilitated the students’ and professors’ movements such that even on UCLA campus which has 419 acres, my movements are limited to 2 buildings. Separation of the majors have eased our life; however, it completely separates the student body. Not only at UCLA, but also throughout my childhood, I was told to focus either on STEM or arts. My mother invested in math and science tutors for me to take from kindergarten to high school, but I only took piano lessons for two years. The paradigm mentioned by Sir Ken Robinson is still prominent in ou...