Nanotechnology + Art | Space + Art

As mentioned this past week in lecture, our current advances in nanotechnology is something that is not readily apparent to us at first; in fact, we can not even easily see the technology, for the matter. This recently-developed field of technology follows the nanometer scale (1-100nm), which is 10^-9 of a meter. However, it turns out this physically-miniscule scientific field has enormous and profound implications for us and even our current ways if thinking.

Immediately, once we get to know this new technology, we can see how it could be applied to tackle on issues we face everyday. From clothes to oil spills to traveling into Earth's orbital space, we can utilize nanotechnology to benefit us, whether it's creating smart clothing with nano-sensors in them, nanobots that break down or collect oil on the surface of the ocean, or carbon nanotubes that can help us develop shafts for elevators into space.

We once again look to the Discovery Channel TV series "2057", where futurist Michio Kaku discusses the the future of smart clothes and the nanotechnology involved in the first episode, "The Body".

In the third and final installment of "2057", Michio Kaku also discusses about the potential utilization of smart clothes for soldiers and how carbon nanotubes could be used for elevator shafts into space. (Note: I highly recommend watching this series; it is as informative about potential future technologies and social situations as it is entertaining).

Nanotechnology can be regarded as a source of fear as well, as popular culture works of art like movies such as "I, Robot" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still" like to incorporate this technology in a fairly terrifying way. We see this commonly depicted as silver/grey goos or swarms that devour everything in sight or as instruments of mind control. 

Nanobots destroying a stadium in "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

In addition, there is a real-life concern over how nanotechnology could be used in war or terrorism. For instance, in his article "From Nanotechnology to Nano-Defense", journalist Jayshree Pandya discusses the potential uses and effects on nanotechnology in relation to warfare, public safety, and terrorist attacks.

The most profound impact I gleaned from nanotechnology, however, was the paradigmatic shift it would instigate in the field of science. As discussed by Jim Gimzewski and Professor Vesna, we can not "see" components of nanotechnology like nanoparticles in the traditional sense of the word, as we can only perceive them through specialized equipment like microscopes. In addition, they also explained that we have to modify our current methodologies and equipment in order to properly study technology; to do that, one revolutionary invention we must use is the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), which feels across the surface of very small objects in order to get a visual of the object, as opposed to using disruptive rays of electrons or light to reflect an image for us.

The tip of the STM probe scanning the surface of an object

The way this new scientific field of nanotechnology has challenged our current paradigms and how it made us rethink our reality reminds me how good, provocative art does the exact same thing for its viewers and audiences. Perhaps art and science (especially innovative and novel science, at that) can share that aspect of paradigmatic shifting and rethinking as well, not just how they can work together to create news works of art or science.

Although nanotechnology and its effects can be somewhat difficult to discern, the study of outer space and its intersection with art is readily prevalent all around us. Since the first human launch into space in 1961 with Yuri Gagarin, we have been surrounded by news and updates of developments in satellites, rockets, manned missions, and space stations. As a nation, the United States also ponders the future of its space industry, as government funding for NASA has been largely discontinued and as advancements for space technology now lie in the hands of private companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic.

Even Redbull wanted a piece of the progressing field of space technology and exploration.

We also see how space inspires art, whether it's paintings, music, or even fashion. Even events like the discontinued funding for NASA has inspired art in response to such dire situations, as seen in this photograph series called "Astronaut Suicides" (WARNING: contains somewhat disturbing images related to suicide).

A creative work of spray paint in the streets of New York City.

"All this science, I don't understand, It's just my job five days a week, Rocket Man!"

 -John Elton in "Rocket Man"

The Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" and its music video

A rising trend in fashion, space or nebula patterned clothing is very popular amongst youth; a prominent leader in space-inspired clothing is an online clothing shop called Black Milk Clothing.

But even more astounding is how art inspires the field of astronomy and space tech; this, I think, is what is most inspiring and what most stands out of the intersection of space and art itself. As Annick Bureaud, from the Leonardo Project, said about space and art,

"It is artists and their work that reveal to me the essence of space for human beings in the twentieth century, as well as my place in the cosmos. Since then, space art works and images have continued to have a powerful effect upon me: they make me dream and move me deeply.

While learning and discovering the history of space art, I came to understand that artists have been the fuel of space exploration, embodying in their art the dreams of humankind, making these dreams desirable for engineers to achieve.

Space art is the only field I know of that depends on strong relations, cooperation and exchange between artists and scientists. Space art is one of the very few fields that gathers disciplines so apparently different as visual arts, music, dance, literature. At the end of the twentieth century, space may not seem to be as much an issue as it used to be, but it is still an important issue for humanity. I strongly believe that only artists can provide the vision that will bring humankind to other planets."

Hopefully in the future, disciplines from both the math/sciences and the arts/humanities can work together or inspire each other to achieve great things for the progress of humanity, as what Bureaud described for space and art and what they have done for each other. Whether it is a colloboration for mainly technological advancement or for cultural evolution, we hope that these fields will progress in both ways, as a new culture.

Sources/Links:

1)Oil-eating nanobots: http://gra-zone.blogspot.com/2012/05/nanobots-cleaning-up-oil-spills.html

2)More on Michio Kaku and "2057": http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/michio-kaku.htm

3)"I, Robot" on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/

4)"The Day the Earth Stood Still" on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/

5)Jayshree Padya's "From Nanotechnology to Nano-Defense": http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Special-Feature/Detail/?id=155962&contextid774=155962&contextid775=155959&tabid=1453410412

6)Jim Gimzewski's and Professor Vesna's "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact and fiction in the construction of a new science": http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm

7)More on the Red Bull space jump: http://www.redbullstratos.com/

8)More on space spray paint art: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/1614138/check_out_the_cool_space_scene_of_this_street_spray_artist.html

9)More about Black Milk Clothing: http://blackmilkclothing.com/pages/about-us

10)"Astronaut Suicides" website: http://www.astronautsuicides.com/

11)More about the Leonardo Project and its staff: http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html


Works Cited:

Vesna, Victoria. "Nanotechnology + Art Lectures." https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/32590/wiki/nanotech-+-art-view?module_item_id=355658. July 26, 2013.

Carol. "Oil spill-cleaning nanobots, explosice-sensing wetsuits- underwater micro-tech hits the beach." Gra-Zone. http://gra-zone.blogspot.com/2012/05/nanobots-cleaning-up-oil-spills.html. May 2, 2012.

Pandya, Jayshree. "From Nanotechnology to Nano-Defense." ISN, ETH Zurich. http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Special-Feature/Detail/?id=155962&contextid774=155962&contextid775=155959&tabid=1453410412. December 10, 2012.

Gimzewsi, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact and fiction in the construction of a new science." Victoria Vesna. http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm. July 26, 2013.

Vesna, Victoria. "Space + Art Lectures." https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/32590/wiki/space-+-art-view?module_item_id=355659. July 27, 2013.

Bureaud, Annick. "The Leonardo Space Art Project Working Group." Leonardo Space Art Project. http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html. 1996.