Week 8 - Nanotechnology and Art

          Nanotechnology is a field of science defined by size. Because of this broad definition, nanotechnology touches a wide range of technologies from chemistry, molecular biology, microfabrication, and semiconductor physics that can be applied to medicine, electronics, biology, and energy production. Ray Kurzweil begins his TED talk, “Announcing a Singularity University”, by noting that information technology (IT), genomic sequencing, and computational data grows at an exponential rate. With nanotech being so broad and it’s impact so intense, it is important to link art and nanotechnology to inform the public of the importance of nanotechnology to learn how common technology like the chips found in our phones are made.

As technology advances, prices of the technologically decrease logarithmically. Found here. 

          Victoria Vesna and James Gimszewski use an image of a single grain of sand  via  a scanning electron microscope and project the image to reveal a mandala. The work combines eastern and western artistic practices—and shows how nanotechnology can be used as art.

Victoria Vesna and James Gimzewski uses a Scanning Electron Microscope of a grain of sand. Found here.

           Nanotechnology can also be used to create art in DNA via creative base pairing. Short strands of DNA are designed to link long strands of DNA to create creative shapes explains Paul Rothemund in his TED talk “Paul Rothemund explains DNA folding”. This nanotechnology has greater implications in biological nanostructures as well.

DNA folding makes these smiley faces. Found here.

          Nano-sized particles have even made it into some of our food products, which I found surprising. Low-calorie shakes with silica particles coated in chocolate have been created. These silica particles keep the customer fuller using less fat and carbohydrates. Nanotechnology is one of the broadest sciences we have studied thus far and has far-reaching applications. Art is easily incorporated in this emerging technology.

Sources

Gerth, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Perth International Arts Festival exhibition. (2010): n. page. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

Gimzewski, James. Nanotech for Artists. 2012. Video. Youtube.comWeb. 25 Nov 2013.

Kurzweil, Ray. Ray Kurzweil announces Singularity University. 2009. Video. TED TalksWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_announces_singularity_university.html>.

"Nanomandala." n. page. Print. <http://nano.arts.ucla.edu/mandala/mandala.php>.

Rothemund, Paul. Paul Rothemund details DNA Folding. 2008. Video. TED TalksWeb. 25 Nov 2013.