Neuroscience + Art

Before we had the means and technology to really research the brain and its functions, Aristotle proposed that the brain was a cooling mechanism for the blood and all our thinking came from the heart (Vesna). It is so fascinating to see all the advancements made and how far we have come with neuroscience and the research and findings still occurring today. Though we have made massive amounts of progress with research over the years, there are still many unanswered questions regarding this unique and very complicated organ and how neuro functions work. 

One of Cajals influential illustrations

The brain is a true work of art that has been vastly studied with high appeal to understand how this complex organ works, and just like the body itself, artists have used this organ as an influence for their art. The merge between art and neuroscience is shown through artist and scientist, Ramon Cajal who claimed that, “only artist are attracted to science” (Vesna). With his research and knowledge he composed iconic pictures that contributed greatly to the complicated field of neuroscience. He was the first person to create illustrations that accurately portrayed the neurological system. Cajal is a great example of the merge between art and science because without the means of technology, his artistic ability allowed him to share his findings to the public.

Representation of the brain on LSD

What I found most interesting this week was the popularity and role that mind altering and psychedelic drugs had in early history, in particular cocaine and LSD. It is shocking that these highly illegal drugs were once widely available and so normal and common to use and even considered “wonder drugs.” Cocaine was initially used for medical purposes until it became highly abused resulting in masses of addicts who in turn needed medical care. The brain has tremendous depth with so many interesting possibilities and with early research science desired to understand and explore the different ways in which we can utilize this complex organ. Exploring the use of chemicals and neuron reactions was one common way used to discover aspects of the human mind and how it can be altered and affected. Albert Hofman experimented with LSD for medical purposes to later find out the hallucinogenic side effects that allowed us to explore a part of the mind that would have never been discovered and experienced otherwise. This naturally poses curiosity and how substances can affect our mind and offer understanding to the endless capacity of the brain. It is a very controversial drug, especially in early history when it was popular, that ultimately opened the door to countless research and fascinating findings in attempt to explore and make sense of the complex yet fascinating field of neuroscience. 

Works Cited:
 

Cohen, Mark. "Lecture by Mark Cohen." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Sabbatini, Renato. "The Neuron Doctrine." Brain and Mind. N.p., 23 Feb. 2003. Web.

"Unravelling the Effects of Acid in the Brain." Research & Development. N.p., 21 May 2012. Web.

Vensa, Victoria. Neuroscience + Art Lectures I-III. UC Online. N.p., n.d. Web.

Biotechnology + Art

This week’s topic is very interesting because of the fascinating yet controversial concepts that derive from the advancements between art and biotechnology. For example, genetically modified food poses questions of safety and health factors of the food but it accounts for farming and producing crops much more time effectively. As for animal experimentation, it poses the question whether it is ethically right or wrong though many interesting results have come from these experiments. 

Since the introduction of genetically modified organisms they have been a source of controversy. In my opinion, though experiments used on animals can be interesting; they can be harmful and serve no purpose or contribution to society. Just like the experiment of the jellyfish luminescent gene. While it is used on animals for the purpose of research to study biological processes and disease, it was also used by artist Eduardo Kac solely for the purpose of art known as “transgenic art.” This is where ethical implications come into question while experimenting with genetic engineering: is it right or wrong? Though Kac clearly does care for his “GFP bunny” Alba and provides her with the care needed, even after listing his explanation for his transgenic artwork, I as well as many animal activists will agree that there is really no sensible reason for him to alter the natural order of animals for this purpose. Though, I do agree and understand using biotechnology for beneficial research purposes that continue to make a difference in our medical field and society.

Shown above is different statistics regarding GMO's

Genetically modified foods are another aspect of biotechnology that has also caused a major controversy amongst consumers. People consume GMO’s daily without even being aware of it. It is estimated that sixty percent to seventy-five percent of processed food generally found in local grocery stores and restaurants are genetically modified (Feature). On one hand, advocates claim that genetically engineering technology can increase food supply, use fewer pesticides and herbicides, increase the nutrition benefits, and are more durable then other plants but on the other hand GMO activists argue that genetically modified foods cause health risks, introduce allergens and contaminants to food, create super weeds and other environmental threats.

Though there are positive and negative aspects to GMO’s, biotech engineer’s main goal is to create solutions to starvation and issues following food production.

Overall, there are imperfections in all areas of life and as genetically modifying technology continues to advance it will also continue to adapt and grow and more knowledge will be created to use this technology to better our society as a whole.

Works Cited:

Feature, WebMD. "Genetically Modified Foods (Biotech Foods) Pros and Cons." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 05.

"Genetically Engineered Foods – Why the Controversy?" Genetically Engineered Foods   – Why the Controversy? The Real Truth, n.d. Web. 

Vesna, Victoria. “5 Bioart Part 1.” Online video. YouTube. UC Online, Web.

Week 4: MedTech + Art

I really enjoyed this week. It is so fascinating to me that two completely different disciplines such as Medicine and art can come together and have such a powerful influence on how far we have come with research and our understanding of medicine. The human body has always been a deep fascination and combining the power of art, technology and medicine allowed for both doctors and artists to advance in imaging the body from drawing dissections by hand to technologically advanced 3D scans allowing for us to get a better understanding of our body’s anatomy. 

 

Lecture three, part three left the most impression on me. I feel it poses the question as to whether plastic surgery is a true form of art. I personally believe this can be answered with two sides. Particularly, Orlan left an uneasy impression on me. Firstly, I do believe it is an art form due to having the skill and ability to sculpt a part of the human body however only in the sense of reconstructing for the purpose of medical treatment. Emerging from WWI, physicians at the time had to treat a lot of fatal injuries caused by the damage of war. The destructions and fatalities caused by war was a primary factor in the advances in medical professions (Vesna). Using the accumulation of art, technology and medicine huge innovations emerged, such as prosthetic and bionic limbs for those who had lost limbs returning from war. Now secondly, I believe that such an innovative breakthrough in medicine should not be used for aesthetic reasons. Orlan’s ‘performative’ use of plastic surgery in my opinion is unethical. Today, it is so common generally in the older generation to receive plastic surgery in order to hinder their natural aging process and make them more aesthetically “beautiful.” I strongly believe that such an amazing advancement in technology should be used honorably amongst those with genuine medical disabilities that will better there over all health and mobility. Surgery is definitely an art and surgeons themselves are masters in their craft.

Works Cited:

Lecture Part 1,2,3. Perf. Victoria Vesna. Medicine + Technology + Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.

Neurogadget. N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fneurogadget.com%2F2013%2F12%2F11%2Fsoldier-talks-thought-controlled-bionic-arm-video%2F9154>.

"Anatomy of Male Muscular System - Posterior and Anterior View - Full Body – Didactic." Depositphotos. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://depositphotos.com/14814419/stock-photo-anatomy-of-male-muscular-system.html>.

"CT Brain Perfusion." Cedars-Senai. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Imaging-Center/For-Physicians/Neuroradiology/CT-Brain-Perfusion.aspx>.