Nanotechnology and Art

In this weeks material presented by Dr. Gimzewski he talks about how the development of Nanotechnology was done before the word was even used. Richard Feynman describes this phenomenon in his work describing how he could manipulate atoms and create different things by "maneuvering things atom by atom". During this time it seemed impossible to "Put the atoms down where the chemist says" but by this there is a clear comparison between nanotechnology and art. An artist is able to create things in creative ways. With nanotechnology it is possible to go against the rigid and organized stereotype that science has and create things based purely on artistic inspiration socially and economically.

In the lecture Dr. Gimzewski says the word "create" several times. An artist is someone who creates something and does this by building or maneuvering things around. Gimzewski talks bout nanoscale and how "nanoscale objects can be used to create new effects that are otherwise unknown to physics"(Gimzewski). Furthermore, just as artist are able to create things that may seem unimaginable or something that most people would never be able to think about creating in a lifetime, so does nanotechnology do that in comparison of physics. It reaches outside the laws of physics.

In fact nanotechnology draws artistic conceptes to further science and its discoveries. Nanotechnology is used in the medical field and with further advancement it may "help diagnose heart disease, cancers, HIV and other diseases quickly and at a far lower cost that current clinical methods." The advancement that has been done since the mid 1900's has been remarkable and as the years go on, nanotechnology will continue to advance just like the artist of today. JOhn Curtain Gallery describes the affects of nanotechnology that it is "designed to challenge, explore and critique our understanding of the material world and has brought together artist and scientist from around the world to present new ways of seeing, sensing and connecting with matter that minuscule and abstract" (Gallery).

Nanotechnology is seen everywhere. Some examples that I can most relate to and that I found interesting is the use of nanotechnology in sportswear. Such as, socks and underwear in which the nanotechnology helps keep it durable and clean. Technology has a lot of nanotechnology in it as well.

References:

"Richard Feynman Introduces the World to Nanotechnology with Two Seminal Lectures (1959 & 1984)." Open Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
"Microsponges from Seaweed May Save Lives." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 09 Feb. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Gemzewski, Jim. "Nanotech for Artists." UConline.edu. University of California. Web. 23 Nov 2013. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-8-view?module_item_id=970451>.

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Artabase.net. John Curtain Gallery, 5 Feb 2010. Web. 23 Nov 2013. <http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

"History of Nanotechnology."Futurehumanevolution.com. The Future of Human Evolution. Web. 23 Nov 2013. <http://www.futurehumanevolution.com/history-of-nanotechnology-updated>.