Week 8: NanoTech + Art

An artist's depiction of a nanotube.

Nanotechnology is the study and application of manipulation of individual atoms and molecules (United States National Nanotechnology Initiative). The scale is so small that a human eye cannot detect anything at nanoscale. Prof. Vesna’s Nanomandela attempts to give visitors a sense of this scale by using sand (John Curtin Gallery). As Prof Vesna points out in lecture, at this incredibly small scale, the old methodologies of science do not work in nanotechnology because it is such a new and different field. Nanotechnology requires scientists to think outside the box. This inherent creativity in coming up with new ways to conduct experiments etc. makes them artists.

Nanotechnology is also a very rewarding source for artists. A lot of the imagery created using scanning tunneling microscopes is intriguing. These images not only show their subjects in incredible details, they also provide a sense of texture (as seen in image of atoms below). This sense of texture is very satisfying as an art consumer. It gives the image depth and makes it feel more physical.

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM)

STM Image of atoms

As Dr. Feynman mentions, nanotechnology will have wide array of applications (such as alternative sources of energy) and will surely become a constant in our lives in the near future (Murnane). Just as people are reluctant about Biotech now, I think people will be reluctant when it first becomes mainstream. However, with the help of artists and educators, I think we as a society will realize its usefulness and will come to accept it.

Bibliography

Feynman, Ricahrd. There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom. n.d. Web. 26 May 2018. http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/53/07803108/0780310853.pdf.

John Curtin Gallery. art in the age of nanotechnology: A Perth International Arts Festival exhibition. 11 March 2010. Web. 26 May 2018. https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.

Murnane, Kevin. Nanotechnology Applications That Can Change The World: Alternative Energy Sources. 6 September 2017. Web. 26 May 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2017/09/06/nanotechnology-applications-that-can-change-the-world-alternative-energy-sources/#55ac7e9e7193.

United States National Nanotechnology Initiative. What is Nanotechnology? n.d. Web. 26 May 2018. https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition.

Victoria Vesna, and Jim Gimzewski. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science. n.d. Web. 26 May 2018. http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.

Images

Detrick, Jim. Scanning Tunneling Microscope and 3-D pictures of atoms. 13 March 2012. Web. 26 May 2018. http://jdetrick.blogspot.com/2012/03/scanning-tunneling-microscope-and-3-d.html.

Murnane, Kevin. Nanotechnology Applications That Can Change The World: Alternative Energy Sources. 6 September 2017. Web. 26 May 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2017/09/06/nanotechnology-applications-that-can-change-the-world-alternative-energy-sources/#55ac7e9e7193.

Victoria Vesna, and Jim Gimzewski. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science. n.d. Web. 26 May 2018. http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.