Space and Art

As Sage Lazarro remarks in her article “Celebrities & Pop Culture are Suddenly Obsessed with Space,” “space is having a bit of a moment right now.” Lazarro mentions the numerous celebrities incorporating space-themed images into their wardrobe and performances; some are even engaging online with NASA’s social media accounts. Additionally, stars like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber have already bought tickets to travel into space in the future. Lazarro credits this engagement and fascination with outer space to the increasing acceptance of technology and glamorization of “nerd-culture” that has been on the rise since the invention of the internet. While this certainly contributes to the public's current fascination with space, this is not a new phenomenon. Even before we landed on the moon, art, literature, and pop-culture as a whole embraced and glamorized space travel, drawing it into the public eye. 

Ariana Grande Tweet (Genius)

As summed up perfectly by Ron Miller: 

“Astronautics is unique among all the sciences in that it owes its origins to an art form. Long before engineers and scientists took the possibility of spaceflight seriously, virtually all of its aspects were first explored in art and literature, and long before the scientists themselves were taken seriously, the arts kept the torch of interest burning” (501).

As is often the case, the imaginations of artists were far ahead of the technological capabilities of the times, and artist's persistent focus sparked public interest in the final frontier. 

 

Tin Tin (Wikipedia)

One example of pre-moon-landing, pop-culture narratives depicting space exploration is the The Adventures of Tin Tin: Destination Moon. In the comic book, “Belgian cartoonist Hergé sent his beloved characters Tintin and Snowy the dog to the Moon” (Baldwin). Additionally, more recent fictional works like Wall-E, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Futurama continue to center space travel. As William Bibbian remarks, since “space travel itself became a reality, movies have become more and more obsessed with sci-fi stories;” their spectacular scale and futurism now joined by a sense of possibility. 

Fry and Leela (IMDb)

Not only have these stories entertained the public for generations, they have also influenced the actual science behind space travel. As “America’s space program is often inspired by and works with science fiction, and sci-fi can often function as a predictor of our spaceflight ambitions” (Krishna). This relationship is a clear example of the powerful relationship between art and science.

Sources:

Baldwin, Melinda. “The US space program in pop culture.” Physics Today,

https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.3.20190710a/full/. Accessed May 25 2021.

Bibbiani, William. “The Best Space Movies of the 21st Century (So Far).” Collider, https://collider.com/best-space-movies/. Accessed May 25 2021. 

“Cover of the English Addition.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destination_Moon_(comics). Accessed May 25 2021. 

Krishna. Swapna. “The Many Ways Pop Culture Propels Spaceflight and Vice Versa.” PBS SoCal, https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/blue-sky-metropolis/the-many-ways-pop-culture-propels-spaceflight-and-vice-versa. Accessed May 25 2021. 

Lazzaro, Sage. “Celebrities & Pop Culture are Suddenly Obsessed with Space. Why Now?” Supercluster, https://www.supercluster.com/editorial/celebrities-and-pop-culture-are-suddenly-obsessed-with-space-why-now. Accessed May 25 2021. 

Miller, Ron. “Space Flight and Popular Culture.” Societal Impact of Spaceflight, Steven J. Dick and Roger D. Launius, NASA, 2007, pp. 501-512.

“Nasa.” Genius, https://genius.com/Ariana-grande-nasa-lyrics. Accessed May 25 2021. 

“The Series Has Landed.” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756891/. Accessed May 25 2021.

Nanotech & Art

One interesting application of nanotechnology to art is in respect to color. While most people think of pigment as artists' main means of creating color, another way is to use structural color which can be even more dynamic and vibrant.

As described in “Bright Colors by Nanotechnology,” structural color is produced by “nanostructures that cause reflected light waves to overlap” and generate interference. Depending on the nature of the reflected light, the eye will pick up different colors. Because of this, scientists can “precisely tune which wavelengths are reflected, creating ultra-pure colors,” or make “the surface transparent to select colors or polarizations of light” (Mitchel). 

Because of the advanced understanding of physics, optics, and precise manipulation of nanostructures involved in creating structural color, one would guess this technique was modern, attained using cutting edge technology. While it is certainly a focus of modern research, structural color has actually been around for centuries and even exists in nature. 

Stained Glass (PtsQs)

One interesting application of structural color is stained glass. The technique used to create different colored panes relies on nanoparticles within the glass. Specifically, red and yellow colors are due to “nanoparticles of gold and silver created during the glass [making] process” (Zenner). Additionally, according to “Bright Colors by Nanotechnology,” “nature produces shimmering iridescent colors using nanostructures;” this is the secret behind the eye-catching butterfly wing or beetle shell. Through these examples, it becomes clear that the interaction of nanostructures and light can be used to create incredibly intense and dynamic colors.

Beetle (Richter)

Artists today are looking to harness this technique in their own studios. One such artist is Kate Nichols who “has spent seven years as an artist in residence at a world-class nanotech lab, mastering technically challenging synthesis techniques and learning about colloidal chemistry and optical physics” (Carstensen). Her dedication stems from an interest in colors found in nature that cannot be fully captured by pigments. Her research is mainly focused on nanoparticles; she changes their size and shape in order to produce different colors. Structural color adds new dimension to her art as well as others’ and in doing so displays an important application of science, specifically nanotechnology, to art.

Art Using Nanoparticles (Nichols)

Sources:

“Bright Colors by Nanotechnology.” Nanowerk, https://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news/newsid=45102.php. Accessed 18 May 2021. 

Carstensen, Jeanne. “The Ambiguous colors of Nanotechnology.” Nautilus, https://nautil.us/issue/26/color/the-ambiguous-colors-of-nanotechnology. Accessed May 18 2021.

“Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles, and Opals.” National Informal Stem Education Network, https://www.nisenet.org/catalog/colors-nanoscale-butterflies-beetles-and-opals. Accessed 18 May 2021. 

Mitchel, Kaih and Matt Thomas. “Understanding Color at a Nanoscale.” PhysOrg, https://phys.org/news/2019-12-nanoscale.html. Accessed 18 May 2021.

Nichols, Kate. “The Biological Significance of these Sequences is Not Known 5.” Kate Nichols, https://www.katenicholsstudio.com/#/biological/. Accessed 18 May 2021. 

PtrQs. “The North Rose Window.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glass#/media/File:Chartres_RosetteNord_121_DSC08241.jpg. Accessed 18 May 2021. 

Richter, Ron. “Japanese Beetle.” Sheridan Media, https://sheridanmedia.com/news/30598/japanese-beetle-infestation-prompts-water-restrictions/ . 

Accessed 18 May 2021. 

Zenner, Greta. “Nanoparticle Stained Glass.” Nanoscale Informal Science Education, https://chem.beloit.edu/edetc/EExpo/nanostainedglass/Nanostainedglass_tabletop_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 18 May 2021.

Event 2: GATTACA

I attended the screening of GATTACA, a movie that explores the ethics of biotechnology, especially in regards to genetically engineering humans. The central question that motivates the movie is: “Is our destiny determined by our genes or our will power?” (Rhee). The movie clearly advocates for the latter, as the protagonist, Vincent, overcomes genetic disadvantages associated with being an invalid in order to outperform genetically enhanced competitors. 

Vincent Scrubbing Dead Skin Cells (Gattaca)

The idea of genetic manipulation is emphasized by imagery and word play throughout the film. “GATTACA” is spelled with the letters G, A and C, three of the four nucleotides that make up DNA. Additionally, the double-helical structure of a DNA molecule appears in staircases throughout the film (Greene). These subtle clues remind the audience that this science fiction world is very much grounded in science, and give an eerie sense of prophecy. 

GATTACA came out in 1997, and since then, our scientific capabilities have brought us closer to the fictional world. In 1997, IVF was a relatively seasoned technology, having been used to help women get pregnant since the late 1970s (Seely). The writers of GATTACA however, had no knowledge of current technologies like NextGen sequencing and CRISPR that make it possible to read and directly edit an organism’s genome. Currently, before implantation of fertilized embryos, doctors can use Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis to scan eggs for genetic disease and select those without. According to an article in Nerdist, superficial features like “gender and eye color” can already be selected for; the article predicts that “it will only be five years before [it's possible] to select for...height and weight” (Hart). 

PGD Selection (Best)

In order to reach the level of ‘designer babies’ seen in GATTACA, however, technology like CRISPR, that edits embryos rather than just selects, is necessary. Currently, CRISPR can and has been used on fetuses, but not without consequence. When He Jiankui used CRISPR to “edit DNA in human embryos to make them less susceptible to HIV,” he was sentenced to years in prison, and forbidden from practicing medicine ever again (Cyranoski). 

He Jiankui (Regalado)

Despite technological capabilities, actions continue to be taken to prevent genetic manipulation of humans, but will this stop us from realizing GATTACA’s reality, or just slow the process?

I recommend this event, as GATTACA encourages thinking on a relevant topic, while also being entertaining. GATTACA helps viewers understand how important ethics is in conversations about what we can--and should--do with science. 

Sources: 

Best, Shivali. “The most effective technique is known as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.” Mirror, https://www.mirror.co.uk/science/controversial-gender-selection-technique-lets-12310362. Accessed May 11 2021.

Cyranoski, David. “What CRISPR-baby Prison Sentences Mean for Research.” Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00001-y. Accessed May 11 2021.

“Gattaca (1997).” Vimeo, uploaded by Mr. DiLorenzo, 17 Dec. 2020 https://vimeo.com/492143214. 

Greene, Max. Gattaca: Imagery, Eugenics, and Perfection. Max at the Movies, https://maxgreenemovies.com/2019/04/30/analysis-gattaca-imagery-eugenics-and-perfection/. Accessed May 11 2021. 

Hart, Matthew. “20 Years Later, How Close are we to  GATTACA’s Future?” Nerdist, https://nerdist.com/article/20-year-anniversary-gattaca-genetics/. Accessed May 11 2021. 

Regalado, Antonio. “He Jiankui.” MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/30/131061/he-jiankui-sentenced-to-three-years-in-prison-for-crispr-babies/. Accessed May 11 2021. 

Rhee, Young Min  and Park, Jihun. “GATTACA (1997), Force of Will Transcends Genetic Limits.” Institute for Basic Science, https://www.ibs.re.kr/cop/bbs/BBSMSTR_000000000811/selectBoardArticle.do?nttId=12863&pageIndex=3&searchCnd=&searchWrd=. Accessed May 11 2021. 

Seely, Taylor. “IVF over 40 Years: Three Major Milestones that Changed Everything.” USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/allthemoms/2018/07/26/vitro-fertilization-milestones-over-last-40-years/841421002/. Accessed May 11 2021. 

Neuroscience & Art

In the search for understanding the brain and how it relates to people’s abilities and dispositions, there is a desire to identify “types” of people. Whether it’s left or right brained, INTJ or ESFP, or visual versus non-visual thinker, we develop overly simplistic tests that supposedly determine people’s abilities based on the way their brain functions. Personally, my results from these tests would indicate difficulty with logical thinking and computation, but as a math major I can tell you that this is untrue.

Overly Simplistic Model: Left vs. Right Brained (Fabel)

As described by Wikipedia, visual thinking is “the phenomenon of thinking through visual processing [or] seeing words as a series of pictures.” Conversely, non-visual thinkers “think exclusively in words.” According to Laura Otis, visual and non-visual (or verbal) thinking were cast as opposites for a long time, but new studies show that this is not the case.

Verbal vs. Visual (Ammer)

While papers like “Visualization and Mathematical Giftedness” indicate an advantage of non-visual thinkers in high school mathematics, these findings are likely heavily affected by the way math is taught in school. A visual thinker may be gifted in math but unable to realize these gifts when asked to apply a non-visual approach which may be uncomfortable and disadvantageous. Furthermore, Jean Plough finds that visual learning strategies, when applied in classrooms, can actually help students understand science. Additionally, according to Caren Walker and colleagues, students with a foundation in visual arts are well equipped to solve geometric problems because of honed spatial awareness. 

These studies are a testament to the idea that both types of thinkers can succeed across disciplines, more specifically, the fields of math and science that usually emphasize non-visual, logical, verbal thinking. Terrance Tao, a UCLA professor and modern mathematical genius is famously unable to implement visual thinking; conversely, Albert Einstein used visual thinking almost entirely. Clearly, both made brilliant contributions to physics and mathematics, but used different approaches. 

Albert Einstein (Zitelmann)

While understanding a person's cognitive habits and brain patterns can be helpful in  understanding their unique way of problem solving, it's dangerous to put people in disciplinary confines based on this information.

Sources

Ammer, Ralph. “Verbal Visual.” Ralph Ammer, https://ralphammer.com/seeing-vs-reading/.  Accessed 11 May 2021. 

Fabel, Austin. “Left vs Right Brain.” Medium, https://medium.com/@austinfabel/the-right-brain-vs-the-left-brain-do-we-have-a-choice-fbf997bdf564. Accessed 11 May 2021. 

Otis, Laura. “A New Look at visual thinking.” Psychology Today, https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethinking-thought/201602/new-look-visual-thinking%3famp. Accessed 11 May 2021. 

Plough, Jean. Students Using Visual Thinking to Learn Science in a Web Based Environment. 2004. Drexel University, PhD Dissertation.  

Presmeg, Norma. “Visualization and Mathematical Giftedness.” Educational Studies in Mathematics, vol. 17, 1986, pp. 297-311. 

“Visual Thinking.” Wikipedia, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_thinking. Accessed 11 May 2021. 

Walker, Caren et al. “Visual Thinking: Art Students Have an Advantage in Geometric Reasoning.” Creative Education, vol. 2, no. 1, 2011, pp. 22-26. 

Zitelmann, Rainer. “Einstein.” Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/08/26/self-marketing-geniuses-the-wisdom-of-albert-einstein-and-stephen-hawking/?sh=92c666c14886.  Accessed 11 May 2021. 

Biotechnology and Art

Life itself is a valid expressive medium that is currently being explored by artists who use biotechnology in their creative process. Artists like Marta De Menezes incorporate scientific methods to their art. In Nature? De Menezes altered the wing patterns of butterflies to create “artworks with a lifespan,” as the images she creates on butterfly’s wings die with them (Criado). Additionally, Eduardo Kac claimed Alba, a bunny genetically modified to express a GFP gene found naturally in jellyfish, to be an art piece. These are examples of controversial art made with biotechnology and animals, something long seen as an appropriate use of science.

Nature? (Silva)

GFP Bunny, (Kerstetter)

Questions then emerge about the limits society should impose on this practice. What are the ethical implications of modification (for art or otherwise), especially possible modifications of humans. These are important questions to ask, as this ability to combine organisms in an unlimited capacity is not far fetched. Not only is the technology available, as pointed out in “Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology,” it’s fairly accessible. 

In some ways, recombinant technology has been ever present in society, beginning with practices like selective breeding of agricultural crops. Additionally, some biologists endorse the idea of horizontal recombination during the evolutionary process, stressing “the roles of merger, fusion, and recombination in evolutionary processes” (Levy 3). Because this process is based in the ‘natural’ it’s difficult to draw strict lines about what is and what is not appropriate. 

Whatever limits are imposed will be pushed by those described in Kelly’s article as “Victorian Gentleman Scientist[s],” those who are above the system and have “access to the best tools and techniques” (Kelly 1). These are people like Elon Musk, who have the intellect, money, and social power to pursue science on their own terms. Recently his girlfriend Grimes tweeted that she was aiming for “a [neuro] chip by 2022” (Reilly). Additionally, the rich and powerful will be those able to push the limits in regards to selecting fetuses for certain traits. While people are comfortable taking steps to ensure their baby does not inherit genetic disease, it seems unethical to choose a child’s hair or eye color (Hercher). 

Grimes and Musk (Fry)

Despite the interesting applications of biotechnology to art, it is an area filled with ethical dilemmas. Overall, having both scientists and artists working with this technology provides more lenses with which to view these problems, helping to ensure thoughtful regulation. 

Sources:

Criado, Lula. “Marta DE Menezes, creating artworks that literally live and die.” Clot, https://www.clotmag.com/biomedia/marta-de-menezes. Accessed 7 May 2021. 

Fry, Naomi. “The musician Grimes and the Silicon Valley billionaire Elon Musk appeared together at the 2018 Met Gala.” The New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-appearances/the-trouble-with-elon-musk-and-grimes. Accessed 7 May 2021. 

Hercher, Laura. “Designer Babies Aren’t Futuristic. They’re Already Here.” MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/10/22/139478/are-we-designing-inequality-into-our-genes/. Accessed 7 May 2021.

Kelly, Chris. “Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology.” https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/1669262/files/176179887/download?wrap=1. Accessed 7 May 2021.

Kerstetter, Mark. “GFP Bunny.” Escape Into Life, https://www.escapeintolife.com/essays/what-is-contemporary-art-mark-kerstetter/. Accessed 7 May 2021. 

Levy, Ellen. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.” https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/1669262/files/176179889/download?wrap=1. Accessed 7 May 2021.

Reilly, Nick. “Grimes and Lil Uzi Vert Want to get ‘Brain Chips’ Together.” NME, https://www.nme.com/news/music/grimes-and-lil-uzi-vert-want-to-get-brain-chips-together-2875184. Accessed 7 May 2021.

Silva, Luis. “Nature?” Rhizome, https://rhizome.org/editorial/2008/aug/20/interview-with-marta-de-menezes/. Accessed 7 May 2021.