Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

Week 8: Nanotechnology and Art

In this week's topic, Professor Vesna discussed nanotechnology and its relationship to art. Directly underneath her lecture video was a video discussion from Dr. Gimzewski. An intriguing aspect of Dr. Gimzewski’s discussion was of Richard Feynman's work. He noted that Feynman thought that “The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom…put the atoms down where the chemist says, and so you have the substance” (Feynman). Art is a mostly creative process. Science is stereotypically much more quantifiable and organized. The idea of taking atoms and putting them wherever he wants opposed to the more traditional thinking of thinking the placement is set in stone made way for a lot of advancements. He was able to add his own creativity to a subject that was previously seen as rigid and organized. Moreover, the use of “nanoscale objects can be used to create new effects” that are otherwise unknown to physics (Gimzewski). 

Just as artists try to create something that may seem otherwise impossible, scientists try to push the limits of physics and whats possible for their field. In nanotechnology, the limits of what science can do to atoms and their placement and their behavior has drastically changed over the past few decades. Obviously technology and the ability to view something so small has been a major factor for that but the ability for scientists to use their creativity to alter atoms has undoubtedly helped push this field forward.

Nanotechnology and art are best described by the John Curtain Gallery who proposed that nanotechnology is “designed to challenge, explore and critique our understanding of the material world and has brought together artists and scientists from the around the world to present new ways of seeing, sensing and connecting with matter that’s miniscule and abstract”(Curtin Gallery). Everywhere we look, we see art. In our current time, just about everywhere you look you see tech as well. However, these two things can also be seen in places we sometimes cannot see. Although we can't see something as small as atoms with our naked eye, their is still enough room for both art and science to coexist and mutually help each other to push boundaries.

Gemzewski, Jim. "Nanotech for Artists." UConline.edu. University of California. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-8-view?module_item_id=970451>.

Lovgren, Stefan. “Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?” National Geographic. 23 December 2003. Webhttps://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1223_031223_nanotechnology.html

Curtin, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

Davis, Amanda. “Everyday Nanotechnology.” The Institute. IEEE. 6 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 May. 2015

Lilley, Maiken. "The Art of Nanotech." PBS. PBS, 18 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/art-nanotech.html>.