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Event #3: 24 Hour Challenge

 During my 24 hours without any technology, I had to be creative with some of the ways I entertained myself, as well as how I would some very everyday activities. For example, I typically use my phone for telling time, for transportation, and for making purchases. Because I couldn't use my phone for those things, I had to find alternative ways. For purchases, I used my debit and credit cards, and for telling time, I would use clocks or asked people around me. Transportation was a little more difficult to navigate, because I couldn't use Lyft or Uber and because I had my tap card on my Apple wallet, I could only really go to walkable distances.  I think this challenge had other positives to it that I found refreshing. For instance, I found it refreshing to not have to carry my phone around everywhere. Leaving my apartment and not having to carry a device in my pocket was really freeing, although it also felt like I was missing something.  To entertain myself, I spent most of my

Week 9: Space + Art

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Looking at the intersection of art and space, I find myself intrigued by the collision of creativity and cosmic exploration. Brian Holmes' "Coded Utopia" introduces the realm where art and technology converge, showcasing how artists utilize tools like virtual reality to transport audiences into otherworldly experiences. This fusion not only challenges conventional artistic norms but also ignites a sense of wonder about the vastness of the universe. In "The Vision of Space Art," presented by the International Association of Astronomical Artists, I witness how space exploration inspires artists to capture the sublime beauty of the cosmos. With vivid paintings and immersive installations, they invite viewers to contemplate humanity's place in the grand scheme of the universe. Their work serves as a bridge between scientific exploration and artistic expression, reminding us of the profound connection between the two realms. As a student navigating this fascinati

Week 8: Nanotech + Art

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Within the text "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Constructing a New Science" by James Gimzewski and Victoria Vesna , the authoes discuss the concept of the "nanomeme syndrome," which highlights the cultural and societal impact of nanotechnology. They draw parallels to the influence of memes in shaping our collective consciousness, allowing readers to consider how nanotechnology influences various aspects of human life. Nanotechnology provides artists with tools and materials that transcend the limitations of traditional mediums. For example, artists, with nanotech, could potentially create sculptures at the molecular level or paintings with nanoparticles that respond to environmental stimuli. One of the most intriguing aspects explored in Gimzewski and Vesna's work is the concept of the "nanomeme syndrome." This term refers to the cultural and societal implications of nanotechnology, akin to the profound impact memes have on shaping our collective consciousness

Event 2: CNSI LightFest

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For this event, Dr.Lake discussed his work where he uses imagery to highlight his research findings. One aspect of Dr. Lake's presentation that particularly intrigued me was his exploration of imaging techniques to study the Achilles tendon in lab mice. Through meticulous experimentation, he and his team discovered how subtle adjustments in imaging parameters could yield significant improvements in image clarity and detail. Their work extends beyond mere scientific curiosity; they are actively addressing pressing medical issues such as Cerebral Palsy. By refining imaging techniques, they have been able to enhance diagnostic capabilities and potentially improve outcomes for patients suffering from this debilitating condition. Interestingly, Dr. Lake drew parallels between his research and the art of photography. Just as photographers manipulate different aspects of their photography to enhance the visual impact of their images, scientists adjust imaging parameters to reveal intrica

Week 6: BioTech + Art

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Before reading  "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications" by Ellen K. Levy, I hadn't thought of art beyond what is traditionally seen in a museum. One of the things that struck me most was the discussion of the artist Eduardo Kac. His work blurs the boundaries of living organisms, art, and technology and demonstrates how the concept of life along with its traditional definitions can indeed be challenged via art. Much of what Levy highlights in their text involves broadening the typical understanding of the aesthetic, philosophical, and biological aspects of life. Much of the work that is created within the intersection of biotechnology and art, seems to explore how life in itself can be somewhat manipulated in order to create something that is not only novel, but also a way to further explore social and political implications of a kind of biotechnology that has increasingly advanced into a grayer area involving ethics. Life in itself is indeed a vali

Event 1: Pigeon Art

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 For this exhibit, art was creating using a mixture of science, math, and technology. As it was explained in the exhibit, pigeons made art using by pressing on keys that made lines appear. Depending on the amount of time a key was pressed, the lines could get filled in.  I thought this was a very interesting event because it reminded me of the mathematics and art lecture in which we discussed how mathematics principles can be used for the creation and expression of art. Behind the scenes for the art being displayed, there was a lot of math that went into allowing pigeons create art. In some of the references I cite, many use other instances of animals creating art to highlight that, although it is possible, it is typically done with human guidance. In one of the references, it is explained how creative expression isn't necessarily natural in the animal world. With this, I think it is interesting how this pigeon art exhibit is able to show that, while much of the previous work done

Week 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

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Ul    When it comes to my own personal experiences with medical technologies in relation to art, the first thing that pops into mind is the MRI. A lot of the resources I have seen, discuss MRI's and other brain imagery to be useful in finding a sense of beauty in what can otherwise be seen as a scary process. My sister, when we were really young, had to get an MRI. The process was indeed intimidating, and the prospect of finding out bad news was anxiety-inducing. Thus, it makes sense why some artists find beauty and a means for creativity within MRI's (Donald, 2013; Brain Health, 2017).  I think an interesting intersection between medicine, art, and technology is prosthetics. In the article "The Art of Designer Artificial Limbs" by Morin, it is explained how hyper-realistic prosthetics are not only created under a process of rigorous design, but there are also elaborate ways to reflect the wearers personality. The prosthetic thus become vessels for the human body to a