Unit 4: MedTech + Art

MEDTECH + ART

As I was scoping through the Unit 4 resource folder, I found all of the varying artists that emphasize the flesh and/or blood ideas very interesting (especially the websites). However, when looking at these websites, it reminded me of my more personal relationship with the Medtech industry. My relationship with this form of art actually involves my Grandmother. 

Bio Tech Limb and Brace

My Grandma used to work with the creation, development and selling of leg prosthetics (artificial body parts). This, to me, is the perfect cross of medicine/technology and art. When I spoke to my Grandma, she discussed how they worked with clients from high-end, Olympic level sports, to even young children. The list of individuals was lengthy, but the types of prosthetics available to the public was even longer! THIS is where the artistry and self-expression of prosthetics comes into play. 

Options for leg prosthetics

Most people believe that losing a leg or being born with out all limbs is an unfortunate accident. However, I believe it depends upon how you look at the situation. With the accessibility of prosthetics, clients have the ability to choose what style/height/fit/color suits their personality or mood best. The individuals who helped create these prosthetics were able to express their creativity, while developing world renowned inventions that continually help a great proportion of our society. 

Military Amputee

So, I believe that these leg prosthetics are a great example of medicine/technology, while concurrently being art. Without the creative and unique ideas implemented in order to think of creating prosthetics, paired with the scientific techniques incorporated in order to help put the plans into action, this invention would not be as poplar nor even developed. 

Resources

About prosthetic legs. (n.d.).

Artificial Limbs. (2019, March 19). 

Possibilities, B. (2016, February 25). 5 Inspirational Athletes with Prosthetic Devices.

Prosthetics in the Developing World. (2015, August 24).

Seck, H. (n.d.). Military Amputees Are Using AI to Teach Their Prosthetics How to Move.

Event 1: UCLA Meteorite Collection

EVENT 1: UCLA METEORITE COLLECTION

Me (in the blue jacket) and my friends at the collection

On the afternoon of April 16th, 2019, I (pictured with the blue sweatshirt in the back) along with a couple of my other friends, decided to attend the UCLA Meteorite Collection. First off, for the longest time, I had no clue that this intriguing museum even existed. It took a spontaneous discovery, or just a convenient class location, that I finally discovered this whole new world resting inside of the Geology building. When I walked into this exhibit, I immediately became aware of the ancient meteorites that filled the whole room. As I read signs, I slowly found out that this collection of meteorites is the fifth largest within the United States...and it's right at my doorstep! 

Other meteorites in the collection

As I scanned the room, my eye was drawn to the meteorite sitting in the back of the room...its mass paired with the enhanced lighting instantly grabbed my attention. This meteorite, named the "Old Woman Iron Meteorite" is the second largest meteorite from the United States. Then, as I kept reading the information given on the panel, I discovered that this meteorite weighs 2,753 kg - more than 3 tons! 

Old Woman Iron Meteorite

As I continued to make my way throughout the collection, I couldn't help but connect this exhibit to what we discussed in week 1 - Two Cultures. It is clearly evident that the individuals who participated in these discoveries, and the people who were involved with the transportation of the collection, are very scientific minded humans. This collection encompasses the likings of natural scientists, while lacking an artistic approach. In fact, I would count myself as more of a literary intellectual than a natural scientist...and I didn't even know this collection existed. THIS is how separated these two cultures are. However, I believe that a sufficient overlap of these two cultures will help society understand one another more thoroughly or even develop a newfound appreciation for their designated industry. 


Ultimately, I encourage individuals to come seek out this UCLA Meteorite Collection. Not only will you be able to witness some of the largest and oldest meteorites throughout the world, but you are able to learn some interesting facts about these objects that are significantly underestimated. 

References

Dodgson, Lindsay. “These Are The 6 Biggest Meteorites to Ever to Be Found on Earth.”
     ScienceAlert.


Hamilton, Rosanna L. Meteoroids and Meteorites.

“Meteorite Collection.” Specola Vaticana.

“Meteorite Collection.” UCLA, meteorites.ucla.edu/.

“Types of Meteorites.” Natural History Museum.

Unit 3: Robotics & Art

Robotics & Art

Nowadays, it appears as though society continues to display excitement paired with fear in the sight of industrialization. However... many people argue that certain forms of industrialization are actually a form of self-expression. More particularly, robots. Robots are, now, the most common AND controversial form of industrialization. 

https://newspunch.com/new-self-learning-robot-says-i-will-destroy-humans/

People should always be pushed to pursue their dreams and express themselves willingly. But, where is the line drawn? This popular topic of 'robots' consumes the minds of various individuals as these industrialized objects become more and more visible throughout society. While, concurrently, many individuals worry that these highly industrialized robotics will begin to even replace the human race...

http://squaredtvart.tumblr.com/post/174894393639/humans-season-3

In the television series "Humans" it depicts a life filled with human-like robots that participate in identical jobs as humans, while also even becoming the newest additions to families. This tv series demonstrates the slow inclusion of robotic humans into society, and how their creation begins to takeover the jobs, and lives of regular human individuals. I believe that this television phenomenon illustrates the very prominent issue within the world...the inner cravings to maintain technological advances (robots), while simultaneously reassuring that humanity remains the superior race on this earth.

https://datafloq.com/read/technological-advances-transforming-medical/4173

I greatly support the constant technological advances throughout the world in order to enhance humanity. In fact, I truly believe that these technological developments are apart of art and self expression. But, I do NOT promote any human-made creation that will ever replace our human existence. And, frankly, I think that if we continue along this path...eventually (even though, I do not know when), I believe that robots could have the ability to surpass the human race. If and when this were to happen...is when the development of robots separates itself from being a form of art. 

References 

Adl-Tabatabai, Sean. “New Self-Learning Robot Says: ‘I Will Destroy Humans.’” News Punch,

     News Punch, 21 Mar. 2016.

“How Technological Advances Are Transforming the Medical Field.” Datafloq.

Sirkin, Harold. “Robots: The Next Industrial Revolution.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 16 July 2015.

SquaredTVArt. “Squaredtvart.” Squared TV Art, 15 June 2018.

Wright, Clara. “Increasingly Human-like Robots Spark Fascination and Fear.” Phys.org, Phys.org, 6  

     Oct. 2018.

Unit 2: Math & Art

MATH + ART

Math and art. These are two terms that appear to be nearly antonyms of one another when comparing their traits. However, is this a personal bias or just simply facts? 

https://www.enkiquotes.com/quotes-about-kids-growing-up-too-fast.html

Many people are raised throughout life with more of a tendency to express artistic ideas, or to lead a more tactical and definite lifestyle. For example, maybe a child's parent was an author, or a singer, musician, or even a magician. On the other hand, maybe another person's parents were mathematicians, scientists, or even accountants. The effects of the 'domestic' or family life that an individual grows up under, heavily impacts their perspective on the real world as they mature. 

As for me, I never felt like I directly fell under either of these umbrellas. In fact, I felt like I had to search for my strong-suits, and discover whether those fell under the categories of either math or art through a trial and error process. Never, did I consider the power that each of these terms had in uplifting and strengthening one another. 

https://drawception.com/panel/drawing/GyWh6336/a-vs-f-who-wins/

Throughout childhood, I tended to enjoy more of the mathematics and science subjects during schooling. I wanted to have one answer...right here...right now. And, it seemed as though when I would attempt to evaluate the work of individuals who would exemplify creativity through their writing - I would appear to not be getting the answers 'right'. So, in a search to receive more instant gratification, I found that I sided more with the math end of the spectrum - and, soon, began to label myself as more of a math person than an art person. 

Then, Edwin Abbott's story named "Flatland" altered my perspective on life. Sure, there will be people who seek more enjoyment through spending time in either the math or art industry. However, where these two opposite careers and beliefs meet is where true success is found. Simply put, when math and art coexist, their impacts are even stronger. 

When reading "Flatland", it became very apparent to me how a world with either math OR art will not be sufficient. Not only did a flat world negate emotion and expression, but now 'people' were being judged based upon their looks...or in this case, the number of geometrical 'sides' they had. The reason this occurred, was not because of the overwhelmingly popular belief that MATH should rule the world, but simply the lack of creativity. Applying this situation to our world, what if we just judged a book by its cover and ranked or classified people based upon their looks? This is discrimination. We must look beyond the outside of an individual and consider their inner uniqueness in order to make a more accurate judgment (creativity). 

https://www.thisisinsider.com/vietnams-new-bridge-held-up-by-giant-concrete-hands-cau-vang-2018-8

Then, when watching Nathan Selikoff's video on the interaction between math and science...it dawned on me that not only will there be more interesting views to a situation; but by coexisting, it actually brings humanity closer together. When two different 'industries' learn how to strengthen one another by working together, the traits that people enjoy more are accounted for, and people will simply feel more welcomed and become more successful throughout their lifetime. 

References

Admin. "The Everyday Impact of Math." Did You Know Science, Did You Know Science, 30          

     Nov. 2018. 

"Health Topics A-Z." PeaceHealth, www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/ty6171.

Information Technology - University Outreach. "Arts and Culture at MSU." Arts and Culture       

     @ MSU - Michigan State University.

Lavender. "20 Quotes That Talk About Children's Fast Growing Up." EnkiQuotes, 6 July                                                                               

     2017. 

Murray, Tom. "Vietnam Has a Wild New Bridge That's Held up by a Pair of Giant Concrete 

     Hands." INSIDER, INSIDER, 1 Aug. 2018.

Unit 1: Two Cultures

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216032113349355953/

TWO CULTURES

According to the findings of C.P. Snow, it is clearly evident that society, today, encompasses two overwhelmingly popular cultures: those of literary intellectuals and those of natural scientists. To put it into more elementary understandings, literary intellectuals accept the idea that an individual utilizes and implements creativity, and imagination in the midst of their free-flowing ideas. On the other hand, natural scientists include those individuals that crave to discover the more direct, or clear solutions to problems and situations — there are less open-ended ideas/options; instead, there is more black and white material.

For a long while of my life, I viewed my living as a water polo player as both free flowing (literary intellectual) accompanied with scientific or direct explanations (natural science). It wasn’t until I discovered the opinions and findings of Snow, that I began to fully understand the two dramatically different “worlds” that existed amongst society — and how I so easily intertwined these cultures. 

https://pixers.us/wall-murals/water-polo-ball-81426039

In my innocent and naive mind, it never occurred to me that various other individuals viewed the world with a completely different lense than I wore. I understood both cultures — without even realizing there was this ‘great’ distinction in the world, according to Snow. With one filter on my eyes, I saw water polo as an artistic outing. I could be creative, expressive and passionate, without limits. This is where I could let my mind free, and let my sorrows drown. Concurrently, water polo required a more tactical approach in order to be successful. Simply put, the laws of physics would not allow me to perform certain moves or techniques. So, the only way to jump this hurdle, would be to solve the equation, and fulfill the laws of science. For instance, timing and measurements. If I am able to get up to a certain speed before I reach the end of the 25 meter pool, then the opponents will not be able to tackle me…physics simply allows for these situations. 

https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/my-views.html

However, even being a college student-athlete, I remained oblivious to the apparent two cultures existing in our society. Most individuals are either exposed to the more literary intellectual culture, while other people witness the more naturally scientific areas of life. Few, however, are able to experience both cultures in one specific area of their life. This is what I was lucky enough to grow up with. So, in contrast to most, I was able to develop a more mature lense of the world with a perspective that accepted both cultures. After the discussion Snow provided, I was encouraged to further understand why certain people choose to believe one culture rather than the other. Instead of altering my view on society or just trying to become accustomed to the differing culture, Snow has left my curiosity navigating both cultural paths in order to deepen my knowledge on the two main belief systems throughout humankind. 

References 

A crack in the floor Turbine Hall, Tate Modern in London | Art | Tate modern art, Turbine hall, Modern art. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216032113349355953/

My Views Stock Illustrations – 224 My Views Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/my-views.html

Water Polo Ball Wall Mural • Pixers® • We live to change. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://pixers.us/wall-murals/water-polo-ball-81426039