Sunday, November 24, 2013

Nanotechnology + Art

"Even the smallest change in sequence can create a very different outcome in computation." - Paul Rothemund, TED Talk: DNA Folding, in detail

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a molecular or atomic scale which cannot be seen by the naked eye. This field of technology is making more and more breakthroughs in various forms of art. 

Researchers at the University of Illinois have used acid to shrink silver nanoparticles, resulting in conductive ink. By suspending it in a cellulose solution, the nanoparticles become fluid enough to flow through the tip of a pen. A line drawing becomes strong enough to carry a current that can power an antenna or a small LED display. The pen enables a new type of creative design, shown here in the lightbulb at the top of this house. 



At the annual International Online Nanoart competition, this artist hydrolized a tiny drop of titanium organometallic compound, coating it with gold so it could be seen with a Scanning Electron Microscope. The electron scan was painted, manipulated, and created onto a canvas. The nanosculpture below is named "Black Eye NanoOctopus," created by California based artist and scientist, Cris Orfescu.


Here, artist Elisa Cohen created a piece called "Resurrection." The nanosculpture was made up of three layers, the top one being an inverse of the original layer. There is a color overlay on the top two layers, with the topmost layer containing an opacity gradient layer. The artist used Adobe Photoshop's liquify filter for the middle layer. 


After reviewing this week's material, I am beginning to see the newly developing relationship between nanotechnology and art. In turn, this "nano" connection helps me understand the broader relationship between art and science on a more macro-level. 


SOURCES:

Black Eye NanoOctopus. N.d. Photograph. New York Times. 24 Nov 2013.<http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/17/technology/20080117_NANOART_SLIDESHOW_index.html>.

Nanoparticle-Filled Ink Conducts Electricity. N.d. Photograph. Popular Science. 24 Nov 2013.<http://www.popsci.com/science/gallery/2012-11/7-amazing-nanoparticles-changing-our-lives/?image=0>.

"Nanotechnology" Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Mar. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

"Paul Rothemund: DNA folding, in detail." TED Talks. YouTube, Sept 2008. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Resurrection. N.d. Photograph. Popular Science. 24 Nov 2013.<http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/17/technology/20080117_NANOART_SLIDESHOW_4.html>.

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