Unit 8 : Nanotech + Art

Although we might not think of art in this way, countless atoms are basically composed in a pattern or design to create what we know as art. On the tiniest scale, this is what art is. It is impossible to see these atoms to the naked eye. Microscopes, for example, allow us to gain insight into what the eye cannot see, and to many, these images are fine art.

The image above appears to look like multiple cubic holes that contain a red oval inside but in actuality it's a single crystalline diamond grain. This image cannot be obtained without the technology required zoom in. Interestingly enough, something that is often not considered art, can be seen as art once shrunken down to the microscopic level. Technology has opened up a whole world of art and nanotech is one of the most complex and interesting sub topics.

On the other hand, we use products that contain nano particles without us even noticing. According to Dr. Gimzewski, there could be risks with using products with the nano particles. Food even uses this by manipulating taste or nutritional value on the microscopic level. One related product I found interesting was nano wax, a coating for your car that seals microscopic holes. Many are for and many are against the nanotechnology when it comes to using it in our daily products especially when it comes to food. Hopefully research is furthered to reveal the advantages and disadvantages.

The human cells can also be shrunken down to a minuscule level to reveal images that surprisingly look artistic. For example this image of a liver cell below is looks complex to the point where its very interesting to look at. It contains many aspects such as the nucleus and lysosomes. One thing that I took from this unit is that art can be found on the smallest level including in our own bodies.






“Cells under the Microscope Images.” Big Picture, bigpictureeducation.com/cells-under-microscope-images.

“Introduction to Nanotechnology – Images.” Nanowerk, Nanowerk, www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/introduction/introduction_to_nanotechnology_31.php.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

“Introduction to Nanotechnology.” Introduction to Nanotechnology RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://nanogloss.com/>.

Gimzewski, Jim. “Nanotech Jim pt5.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OWc8nmHJmY.