LACMA

I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on July 6th and saw much more than the beloved lights that grace many a Facebook Cover Picture.

Unfortunately, I didn't find anything from the Japanese Art section to relate to our materials, but the large, ancient, intricately-minimalist pieces were very nice.

I was able to visit all the main exhibits/halls including Art of the Americas, Art of the Ancient World at the Hammer Building, Art of the Pacific, European, Islamic, Modern, and Southeast Asian Art at the Ahmanson Building, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, and the Resnick Pavillion, but I'll be grouping these pieces according to our material structure from class.

The next few pictures are technological displays that I feel represented the Third Culture of either a fusion of Art and Science or an actual third form of appreciation for knowledge through technology.

The power of one-way transmission is felt through this radio, where surely many people on this side of the signal would listen on edge for the latest that the world could bring to them instantly.

An older form of patient-monitoring that revolutionized not only how we can take care of hospital patients, but also signified remote communication across battlefields, work places, and our own homes. Actual physical presence is no longer necessary to pass influence.

Treasuring of scientific instruments is not a "geeky" thing, but a noble preservation of the skills of their users.

Math and numerical artistry were also present.

Two is more than just a number; it can hold things inside that may be unique to a single person's experience with the number, or it might convey a universal feeling just like color-association.

This piece is captioned with numerical times and dates, amounts of bricks and knots to show how much of our lives are quantified.

This glass structure instantly struck me as soundwaves, and it's title "Music" indeed indicated it to be so. The peaks are more impressive to some in 3D structure than the hills and valleys they arise from on paper.

Without the mathematical principles of perspective, this piece of art would not have such an alluring hallway.

Similarly, perspective here creates the vanishing point where the subject is clearly headed, provoking the question of "Where exactly is she going?" and "Does she know what she is doing?"

Where some may find optical illusions confusing to the point of dizziness, some are able to appreciate the limitations of human perception of physical objects and properties.

These large-scale billiards balls represent a game that relies on skillful application of geometry and physics to win.

The Smoke structure does not have a functional purpose besides providing observers with different perspectives of the same shape from different angles, much like the dimensions of Flatland.

The architectural world of skylines, the ultimate application of geometry and physics, makes the edges of this bowl, the artist clearly showing how quick is the recognition of urban structures.

This very expansive set of urban structures modeled our dependence on mathematical properties for achieving structural stability, utility, and beauty.

Early robotics also found a display.

This Memory Board looked to me a lot like the punchcards that began memory storage.

Medical technology had some presence as well.

These abnormal walls bear a resemblance to tbe 3D printing sculptures that are becoming increasingly useful in constructing personalized medical technologies for humans and animals alike.

More than a spiritual practice, mummification applied Egyptian knowledge of anatomical structures to create an artistic process

.

This symbol of man and snake has persisted as a symbol of medicine even until today, making this sculpture of Hyiegia recognizable as an avatar of health if not by name.

Not too far off was biotechnology...

This 20-foot tall series of folds reminded me of the microvilli that line several mucous membranes of our body that actually serve to make our chemical processes more efficient; standing in between these structures makes one interact with their very own biology.

The battleground might not only refer to the biological warfare between your own immune system and the invading organisms all around, but also your personal inflictions upon it and the rights that governments wish to impose or take away from it.

The fascination we have with space of course left its mark on artists as well.

Described by the other to represent "an opening to a new kind of thought", this piece does invoke the new perspectives on physical capabilities that space offers.

Entitled "Life Begins," this depiction of an explosion in space is paralleled against a newborn baby and a fruit seed to show the shared qualities of very different environments.

This nexus of light captures the intensity of stars and the entrancing effect of the individual rays and collective glow.

I'd like to end this post on a piece that models how many artists and scientists alike begin - by looking out into the world and wondering what the can do with it.

Although LACMA had a lot of historical art pieces that displayed individuals that made it hard to understand the artistic recognition of more than the subject's mere presence someone who existed, one could take some time and understand the context of that person's influence and relate it to some sort of scientific underpinning that would make it relevant to our class. LACMA was definitely an amazing experience of rediscovery of important fusions between art and science throughout human history.

He kept me from exploring restricted areas of LACMA and having more things to write about.

Nanotechnology + Space + Art (Things that Shaped My Childhood)

Before I even knew about Shepard, Armstrong, or the Apollo missions from elementary school, I was thrown into space culture as soon as I could digest mass media. 

Abandon the old life [of the Wild West and its cowboys].
Become a space ranger.
<http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/File:Buzz_Lightyear_out_of_the_box.jpg>

Their presence not only persisted through The Jetsons and Star Trek, but also into the heroes on my television screen that represented great achievement and even greater promise. 

One season of super spacemen wasn't enough.
<http://www.rangercentral.com/toys/toy-spfigures.htm>

Want to be amazing? Join NASA, that's it. And do what? Anything. Contribute anything to a space adventure and you have become someone incredible.

He actually got a response. NASA still needs people, apparently.
<http://geekologie.com/2013/07/7-year-old-sends-letter-to-nasa-expressi.php>

Well, you don't even have to be in space. You can pretend and it'll still be representative of the amazing.

Sadly, not as popular as its parodied "Space Oddity."

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zV4pJ8MwM>

What's not to love about space? Even with all that's left to discover on Earth, there's even more out there.

But to get out there, we have master what we have here. A way to do that seems to be through nanotechnology, which was us thinking (really, really, REALLY) small instead of big...

Go home and accuse you parents why they never supported your aspirations to be a LEGO pilot.
<http://www.123inspiration.com/full-scale-star-wars-x-wing-fighter-built-out-of-5-million-lego-bricks/>

...or at least to get to something big. Professor Gimzewski's quoted Richard Feynman's "Put the atoms down where the chemist says, and so you make the substance" embodied nanotechnology in taking the smallest components of nature, atoms, and moving them around like our playthings, but with purpose.

LEGOs...for SCIENCE.
<http://randommization.com/2009/05/06/lego-mindstorm-nxt-robot-is-an-artist/>

This purpose can just be an exploration of our God-like manipulation of microscopic environments, headed by people like Paul Rothemund operating with DNA origami or inscribing encyclopedic volumes on pinheads to prove to each other time and time again we can do (almost) anything.

You can do this with DNA.
YES, YOU SPECIFICALLY.
<http://blog.treefeathers.com/2008/08/sho-creations-miniature-origami.html>

But we can't let creativity get away without practical applications. The Scanning Tunnelling Microscope is undoubtedly more impressive with its reconstruction of nanoscale surfaces than the light microscopes you get to play with in high school or the electron microscopes that you hear is weighing down your university's basement floors.

The microscopic surfaces of copper plates are ruthless.
<http://xkcd.com/315/>

And yet nanotechnology offers recreation of natural nanoparticle like gecko feet...

Want nanoscopic implants of spider-legs?
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALRXodkXnrA>

...blue morpho butterfly light mirror-like reflection as opposed to coloration by pigmentation...

Just like a butterfly.
Stings like a bee.
<http://www.hyperstealth.com/Quantum-Stealth/>

...personalized medicines that heal your ailing body in ways no drug or surgeon can - all because we can move our intelligence to a scale that we cannot be present at, but we can enact our presence on. 

Well, not yet.
*sigh* You're a true hero, Atom.
<http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/All-New_Atom_Vol_1_22>

The limitations of our natural bodies become a moot point when we can transcend them and change the microscopic world from within. Much like space is shown by contributors to Art and Zero Gravity to offer an escape from, or at least a defiance of, the world we've come to know for so long, so does nanotechnology.

That's Buzz Aldrin in zero gravity. But not in space.
<http://www.gozerog.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Photos_and_Videos.welcome&typeid=D717C203-1372-5743-E98841098DE889C9&albumid=F05E15E4-1372-5743-E99746EEB8396943&media=1>

The embracing of a nanotechnological world we must visualize and actively work our minds to grasp the abstract as explained by the Nanomeme Syndrome, is very applicable to our space endeavors as well. The great majority of humankind will not, for now, be able to personally obtain information about space first-hand and thus must rely on assumptions and the limited knowledge we remotely acquire. 

Notice that we take up a teeny, tiny fraction of the shaded box.
<http://xkcd.com/1071/>

From what we do know, space offers resources that is ours for the harvesting, as opposed to what the other residents of Earth would like a fair share of.

This tablet game is a training application for future asteroid-miners.
Really, half the game is mining for upgrade materials.
<http://www.mobygames.com/game/ipad/galaxy-on-fire-2/screenshots/gameShotId,538191/>

Even with what little we know about space, we follow the lead of those at Leonardo Space Arts and MARS Patent who exhibit art in space and thrust ourselves out there ready to see what happens. 

Be glad Bebo, and not Facebook, sent out thousands of other people's embarrassing pictures for aliens to laugh at.
<http://www.technewsdaily.com/2535-top-space-alien-communications.html>

Both worlds, though seemingly inaccessible by the fate nature has provided us and our size, is actually very much ours to invade. We will fill them with whatever versions of ourselves we may.

I move this to be the official mascot of the world.
<http://iwantcupcakes.tumblr.com/post/31735511735/blah-blah-blah-blah-me-me-me>

Maybe, someday, we might even become mediators and need to fuse the two worlds.

Bill Nye explaining how hive nanobots with lasers might take down an asteroid before it gets to us.

<http://youtu.be/Agdvt9M3NJA?t=5m20s>

Sources


AsapSCIENCE. Could We Stop An Asteroid? Youtube, 2013. Feat. Bill Nye. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agdvt9M3NJA>

Comme d'habitude. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, me, me, me!". Tumblr, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://iwantcupcakes.tumblr.com/post/31735511735/blah-blah-blah-blah-me-me-me>

Cramer, Guy. Quantum Stealth; The Invisible Military Becomes A Reality. HyperStealth, 2009. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.hyperstealth.com/Quantum-Stealth/>

Darkseid01. All-New Atom 22.jpg. DC Wikia, 2010. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/File:All-New_Atom_22.jpg>

Drake P. David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Youtube, 2006. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhSYbRiYwTY&feature=player_embedded>

Forde, Kathleen. DANCING ON THE CEILING: ART & ZERO GRAVITY. Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, 2010. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://zerogravity.empac.rpi.edu/>

Geekologie. 7-Year Old Sends Letter To NASA Expressing His Desire To Go To Mars, Actually Receives A Response. Geekologie, 2013. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://geekologie.com/2013/07/7-year-old-sends-letter-to-nasa-expressi.php?

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 1. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE&feature=player_embedded>

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 2. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c>

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 3. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HCNiU_108>

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 4. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHCuZetAIhk>

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 5. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OWc8nmHJmY>

Gimzewski, Jim. Nanotech Jim pt 6. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKlViSKkPd0>

Gimzewski, Jim; Vesna, Victoria. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science. UCLA, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>

Inspiration. Full Scale ‘Star Wars’ X-Wing Fighter Built Out of 5 Million LEGO Bricks. 123 Inspiration, 2013. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.123inspiration.com/full-scale-star-wars-x-wing-fighter-built-out-of-5-million-lego-bricks/>

Julien, Pirou. Galaxy on Fire 2. Moby Games, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.mobygames.com/game/ipad/galaxy-on-fire-2/screenshots/gameShotId,538191/>

The Leonardo Space Art Project Working Group. Leonardo Space Arts. The Leonardo Space Art Project Working Group, 1996. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html>

The Mars Patent. The HRM_1.0n. The Mars Patent, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.mars-patent.org/hrm/hrm.htm> 

NASA. NASA Homepage. Nasa, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.nasa.gov/>

OurHitmanDwarf. Spiderman-First wall climbing scene. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALRXodkXnrA>

Pompenguin. Buzz Lightyear out of the box.jpg. Disney Wikia, 2013. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/File:Buzz_Lightyear_out_of_the_box.jpg>

R8dkid. Flight of the Conchords Ep 6 Bowie's In Space. Youtube, 2007. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zV4pJ8MwM>

Randommization. LEGO Mindstorm NXT Robot Is An Artist. Randommization, 2009. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://randommization.com/2009/05/06/lego-mindstorm-nxt-robot-is-an-artist/>

Ranger Central. Red Ranger Figures. Ranger Central, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.rangercentral.com/toys/toy-spfigures.htm>

Rothemund, Paul. Paul Rothemund details DNA folding. TED, 2008.
Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_details_dna_folding.html>

Tech News Daily. 10 Wildest Tries to Contact Aliens. Tech News Daily, 2011. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://www.technewsdaily.com/2535-top-space-alien-communications.html>

TreeFeathers. Miniature Origami. TreeFeathers, 2008. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://blog.treefeathers.com/2008/08/sho-creations-miniature-origami.html>


Vesna, Victoria. Space pt 4. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ClKO6AJPo&feature=player_embedded>

Vesna, Victoria. Space pt 5. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnSUHMXBmdg>

Vesna, Victoria. Space pt6. Youtube, 2012. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYmOtFjIj0M>

XKCD. Braille. XKCD, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://xkcd.com/315/>

XKCD. Exoplanets. XKCD, n.d. Web. 28 Jul 2013. <http://xkcd.com/1071/>

Medicine + Biotechnology + Neuroscience + Art (Manmade Evolutionary Change)

Of course, the infatuation we have with any sort of hero is that they represent something that we are not.

Pictured: our favorite flavor.
<http://dettoldisney.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/hercules-vs-heracles/>

More importantly, they represent something we COULD be if changes were made to our biology. But changes to ourselves, to our own kind, for the sake of being more than “normal” and something outside of the natural are sometimes thought to be inexcusable.

The Green Goblin had good intentions. Really.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wMwtQU_RzfI>

The Neuroscience lecture’s talk of cocaine and LSD consumption for eliciting sensory experiences of an anomalous nature really makes one consider how fair it is to be restricted in self-exploration and creative inspirations, on top of chance medicinal benefits, in exchange for a supposed security on life.

A character from RED that was a part of Project MKULTRA.
Things went well for him, clearly.
<http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llyro1R4LZ1qbqzgjo1_500.gif>

A possibly non-insanity inducing alternative to LSD.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6HmGEbZH0>

Orlan's Harlequin Coat and Stellark’s Third Ear are forms of self-mutilation to some, but to others including themselves their art represents their struggle to surpass the boundaries of creativity; operating on their own life is both a freedom in that they may do whatever they may please but they are limited to the capacities of a relatively weak human body.

Cosplayer Level: 1000.
<http://gonintendo.com/?p=149354>

The reason academics like Hoffman, Huxley, and Leary and artists like Orlan and Stellark attempt these extraordinary sort of expressions are thought to possibly be extensions of the collective unconscious expanded upon by Jung. As Dr. Vesna’s lecture said, the archetypes of self, shadow, animus, anima, and persona that are mentally universally-held may be motivating human life and creative acts, which I don’t personally find hard to believe.

Literally a spectrum of archetypical characters associated with emotions.
<http://bloodysamoan.deviantart.com/art/Lantern-Corps-ultra-print-179742268>

Maybe those five classifications aren’t exact, but I do notice that our minds, as far as mass populations go, tend to appreciate characters or items that fit into categories, stereotypes, classifications, etc. – things that are recognizable to a group. I can imagine pharmaceuticals and transgenics and all these human applications of technologies as personal attempts to find a truer self but eventually have that self belong to a group, such as obtaining and maintaining the best state of health to be seen as one of those people who thrive on having a contained, persistent, physical presence.

Building upon this collective consciousness, it would seem that we value artistic media and technology based off of this universal understanding – if we see a work that adheres to a classification we internally conceive, then it has value, be it positive or negative. Take for example GFP protein tracing: my lab knows that the public will be able to interpret our imaging of drug distribution in mice because it translates into eventual application into themselves and curative/preventative measures against bad versions of themselves.

GFP was also implemented in laboratories as a night-time mouse escape precaution.
Not really.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7658945.stm>

I put much value into the Atala’s organ-growing technology because I was able to place myself in the bioengineers’ thought processes of scaffolding, exercising, printing, etc. attributable to the admirable archetype of practical problem-solvers.

Spider-Man's Lizard: a lesson to companies that aren't willing to wait for their scientists' patient methods.
<http://www.cultureslap.com/the-amazing-spider-man-review/>

As opposed to technologies we apply to the natural world, of course the vast majority of people hold the bias that any effects of technology on ourselves take precedence over all other consequences. Like in Ramachandran’s ecstatic revelation of the joy his patients had over their phantom limb chronic pain relief, we immediately jump at such opportunities of technological application.

Jumping = Joy
<http://www.powerrisersjumpingstilts.com/jumping-stilts-pictures/jumping-stilts-in-action/>

As far as restrictions against art through medicine, biotechnology, and neuroscience goes, their manipulation of these resources should be free of them as long as the artists do not endanger any non-participants, just as it is for most scientists. Although scientific biotechnology impact on involuntary parties has gone as far as reverse-Fordism because of plant genomic manipulation as Pollan explained, scientists like myself are constantly regulated to ensure our experimental endeavors don’t trespass our immediate party until they are as safe as they can be.

With that said, artistic science must be taken as a personal responsibility to be safe for all. Authorization should not be necessary to practice it, but one only needs the example of lobotomies to show how our conceptions and assumptions of science must be as accurate as possible for aesthetic results.

Both the beginning and end of Suckerpunch.
And somehow, you're interested.
SCIENCE.
<http://suckerpunch.wikia.com/wiki/File:Lobotomy03.jpg>

I was able to relate Schuler’s “Genomics 101” presentation to Penrose’s concern regarding consciousness. Our new technologies, as controversial as they may be, are only rearrangements of the materials nature has given us. Our consciousness may be one of the most mysterious things we will ever encounter because all of our memories, thoughts, and actions are millions upon millions of chemical reactions occurring within each person, governed by a phenomenon that physically allows for these reactions to occur by the same mechanism in each person and still results in incredibly varied personas and intellects. 

Until mathematicians find the equation and/or solution for generating consciousness or our physical world runs out of usable material for us to use, then man will continue to explore every creative niche possible, whether human governments place limits or not.

Creativity lives on in Wall-E's strangely emotional consciousness through cubism.
<http://jonstephens.livejournal.com/188431.html>

Sources

Amos, Jonathan. 'Glowing' jellyfish grabs Nobel. BBC News, 2008. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7658945.stm>.

Atala, Anthony. Anthony Atala: Growing new organs. TED, 2010. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue.html>.

AzEvanz. Osborn turns GREEN GOBLIN scene ►►HD 1080p◄◄. Youtube, 2007. Web. Jul 21 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wMwtQU_RzfI>.

BloodySamoan. Lantern Corps ultra print. DeviantART, 2010. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://bloodysamoan.deviantart.com/art/Lantern-Corps-ultra-print-179742268>.

CultureSlap. The Amazing Spider-Man review. CultureSlap, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.cultureslap.com/the-amazing-spider-man-review/>.

Doctor Rocket. Lobotomy03.jpg. Wikia, 2013. Web Jul 21 2013. <http://suckerpunch.wikia.com/wiki/File:Lobotomy03.jpg>.

Jonstephens. The Importance of Names in Literature and Film - Pixar's WALL-E. LiveJournal, 2011. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://jonstephens.livejournal.com/188431.html>.

Kotaku. The LSD-Inspired, Oculus Rift Game 'SoundSelf'. Youtube, 2013. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6HmGEbZH0>.


Okapina. Hercules vs. Heracles. WordPress, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://dettoldisney.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/hercules-vs-heracles/>.

PBS. POV | Food, Inc. | Interview with Michael Pollan | PBS. Youtube, 2010. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ty0eehT8Y4>.

Penrose, Roger. Consciousness involves noncomputable ingredients. The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution. Simon & Schuster, 1995. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html>.

Power Risers Jumping Stilts. Jumping stilts in action. Power Risers Jumping Stilts, 2011. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.powerrisersjumpingstilts.com/jumping-stilts-pictures/jumping-stilts-in-action/>.
Ramachandran, V.S. VS Ramachandran: 3 clues to understanding your brain. TED, 2007. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html>.

RawmeatCowboy. Video Game Art - The ultimate Pokemon body mod. GoNintendo, 2011. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://gonintendo.com/?p=149354>.

Schuler, Barry. Barry Schuler: Genomics 101. TED, 2009. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/barry_schuler_genomics_101.html>.

Ukraineternopil. History of Surgery (episode 1 Part 5). Youtube, 2009. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=0PJCaALyS7k>.

Vesna, Victoria. 5 BioArt pt1. Youtube, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUENH6GLzXY>.

Vesna, Victoria. 5 BioArt pt4. Youtube, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=2qSc72u9KhI>.

Vesna, Victoria. Neuroscience-pt1.mov. Youtube, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXjNbKDkYI>.


Vesna, Victoria. Neuroscience pt3. Youtube, 2012. Web. Jul 21 2013. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EX75xoBJ0>.

Zombierabbits. John Malkovich. Tumblr, n.d. Web. Jul 21 2013. <http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llyro1R4LZ1qbqzgjo1_500.gif>.

MedTech and Art (Loving Iron Man for More Than His Lasers)

Pew. Pew. Pewpewpewpewwwww.
<http://www.mytinyphone.com/wallpaper/491814/>

Iron Man’s superhero origin is that he used his own ingenuity and limited technology to save himself from imminent death. The fascination that revolves around his story is more than shiny armor and guns – he represents medical technology and the future we hope it will bring to us, a future that I most certainly strive to contribute to.

SPOILERS - Iron Man 3's Tony Stark injection of a modified Extremis nanobot serum will secrete his suit from super-compaction within his bones in Iron Man 4.
Thus exemplifying the natural progression of technology and man.
<http://www.comicvine.com/articles/why-iron-man-extremis-makes-sense-to-be-the-plot-f/1100-144620/>

As Dr. Vesna’s lecture outlined, societies from ancient times through the Renaissance and to this very day have scrutinized human anatomy discovering the necessary systems, tissues, organs, cells, and DNA codes that define our biology, each discovery pushing scientists and artists alike to test the reality of our bodies against imagination.

In Heroes, the villain Sylar explores his inner-Vesalius by opening up superpowered people's brains.
<http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/punisher-and-deadpool-vs-syler-422059/>

Once these discoveries had been made, we were able to integrate information and imagination to further fuel our thirst for truth and knowledge, with Rontgen’s x-rays, Damadian’s MRI, and CAT scans all working to show everyone, not just scientists, of how life happens. I myself work at a lab where our effective knowledge and quality of experimental attempts are derived from, and are not valid without, understanding the final x-ray and radiation images.

DICOM: a worldwide-standard for medical-imaging files allows for efficient transmission of information.
A pain for everyone else who needs to convert from other formats. *coughmecough*
<http://www.brit.com/dicom.html>

Casini’s revelation of the importance of these new technologies, specifically of MRI, includes acknowledging the public’s reception of a brainscan being a visual, defining characteristic of being human and an individual. I am sure I am not alone in feeling at ease when my physician shows personalized images such as orthodontic x-rays when he explains to me what is currently ailing me or not.

Homer doesn't need a physician's help to understand his intricate inner complexities.
<http://gifsoup.com/view/2047169/homer-thinking.html>

But, her analysis also transcends the images themselves and looks at the MRI-patient experience itself as a moment of self-awareness of the wholeness of one’s body and how personal intake of the sound of the machine allows individual imaginings of their portrait rather than single scanner/computer-generated views. Instead of limiting our observations of ourselves, technology has ways of giving us to internalize new perspectives and sensations.

Drew Berry’s Body Code also explored the art of self-discovery by allowing audiences to view the very happenings within their bodies’ various systems e.g. neural signaling, blood cell flows, tumor growths and evoking the sensation of being able to imagine the true events that facilitate their continued existence. The series the Magic School Bus had great popularity during my early education for doing so at a simplistic, yet thrilling level. 

The best bedtime storybook.
Ever.
<http://bookwormsabode.com/childrens-books-full/the-magic-school-bus-inside-the-human-body/adventure/>

Orlan’s Carnal Art is interesting in her examples of human “defiguration and refiguration” via technology, allowing personal expression outside of creation and inside modification, becoming a work of art herself for embodying various stories regarding feminine influence throughout history.

A man underwent 17 surgeries to become Superman.
Good thing his childhood hero wasn't the Hulk.
<http://bookwormsabode.com/childrens-books-full/the-magic-school-bus-inside-the-human-body/adventure/>

The lecture discussion of applying bodily modifications not only as prosthetics to replace missing appendages or restoring natural human characteristics but also as additions or extensions to the human body was naturally very inspiring, as it did not open up possibilities of becoming inhuman, but rather realities where one could be more than, possibly a better human. 

This woman developed her own functional mermaid tail to accommodate  her passion for searching for an undersea band and orchestra to sing along with.
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2141792/Real-life-mermaid-swims-whales-making-fish-tail.html>

James Holt’s movement towards this, towards progressive change, is transhumanism as Humanity+, incorporating biotechnology, information technology, molecular nanotechnology, artificial general intelligence, etc. to “elevate the human condition” against aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and confinement to Earth as Humanity+, which is reminiscent of the beautifully orchestrated videogame Deus Ex, in which nanotechnology meant for human augmentation has the potential for humanity’s self-destruction, secret manipulation by invisible organizations, and even outright dictatorship, be it benevolent or vicious, and actually does embody the natural fears behind exploring human potential.

Only you can choose the fate of the world.
Don't act like you don't want the responsibility.
<http://onlyhdwallpapers.com/game/video-games-deus-ex-human-revolution-desktop-hd-wallpaper-1134702/>

Medicine has yet to deal with universal nanotechnology-implementation ethics, but the current influence of the Hippocratic Oath was an important example for me as I hope to soon be swearing upon it myself. I do not agree with the contention that physician care has lost its purpose in being the art of caring for patients by treating them as charts of symptoms or becoming wrapped up behind bureaucratic ties does not because I know that the art of using medicine to improve and save lives is still preserved in some physicians still applying all the science they know towards treating patients, even if it requires redirecting all mental faculties away from some patient-interaction towards problem(symptom)-solving. 

Dr. Dorian trying to abide by HIPAA regulations and not (directly) telling his friend that her boyfriend came in with an STD.
This is his daydream, but you have to wonder if this actually happens.
<http://damn-turkledawg.tumblr.com/post/47654955081>

Sources

ACMI. Drew berry - body code. ACMI, n.d. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.acmi.net.au/drew_berry.htm>.

Arthurs, Deborah. Real-life mermaid swims with whales using very own fish tail - and holds breath for two minutes on deep sea dives. Mail Online, 2012. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2141792/Real-life-mermaid-swims-whales-making-fish-tail.html>.

Bookworm's Abode. The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body. Bookworm's Abode, 2013. Web. 14 July 2013. <http://bookwormsabode.com/childrens-books-full/the-magic-school-bus-inside-the-human-body/adventure/>.

BRIT. DICOM Conformance Statement. BRIT Systems, Inc., 2012. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.brit.com/dicom.html>.

Casini, Silvia. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the arts. Configurations 19.1, 73-99. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/32590/files/1377959/download?wrap=1>.

Damn-turkledawg. Photo. Tumblr, n.d. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://damn-turkledawg.tumblr.com/post/47654955081>.

Humanity+. Philosophy. Humanity+, n.d. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://humanityplus.org/philosophy/philosophy-2/>.

Lima, Sara. Why IRON MAN: EXTREMIS Makes Sense To Be The Plot For 'Iron Man 3'. Comic Vine, 2012. Web. 14 July 2013. <http://www.comicvine.com/articles/why-iron-man-extremis-makes-sense-to-be-the-plot-f/1100-144620/>.

Nony17. Iron man.gif. Mytinyphone.com, 2011. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.mytinyphone.com/wallpaper/491814/>.

Stern, Marlow. Meet Herbert Chavez: Superman’s Plastic Surgery-Loving Filipino Doppelganger. The Daily Beast, 2013. Web. 14 July 2013. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/14/meet-herbert-chavez-superman-s-plastic-surgery-loving-filipino-doppelganger.html>.

Tyson, Peter. The Hippocratic Oath Today. NOVA (PBS), 2001. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html>.

OnlyHDWallpapers. Video games deus ex human revolution. OnlyHDWallpapers, 2013. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://onlyhdwallpapers.com/game/video-games-deus-ex-human-revolution-desktop-hd-wallpaper-1134702/>

Orlan. "Carnal Art" Manifesto. Orlan, n.d. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://orlan.eu/adriensina/manifeste/carnal.html>.

Superparody. Punisher and Deadpool VS Syler. Comic Vine, 2010. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/punisher-and-deadpool-vs-syler-422059/>.

VanDerFlaxen. Homer - Thinking. Gifsoup, 2011. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://gifsoup.com/view/2047169/homer-thinking.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. Medicine pt1. Youtube, 2012. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.

Vesna, Victoria. Medicine pt2. Youtube, 2012. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

Vesna, Victoria. Medicine pt3. Youtube, 2012. Web. 14 Jul 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FIX-9mXd3Y4>.