Nanotechnology + Art Week 8 Blog

In this week's lecture, we explore and learn about nanotechnology and how important it truly is. Dr. James Gimzewski, former IBM Researcher and current UCLA professor for over 35 years, educated us that nearly every aspect of science and technology is influenced or affected by nanotechnology.

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11621-nanotechnology-being-proactive

So, what exactly is nanotechnology? Well, the word nano is the Greek word for Dwarf, but looking at it from a scientific standpoint, it refers to a billionth of a meter. The nanometer is smaller than the wavelength of visible light and a hundredth thousandth of the width of a human hair, and the nanoscale generally refers to the size scale of 1-100 nm. (1 nanometer (nm) = 10^-9 m) Nanotechnology is a field of research that involves building materials and products through the scale of atoms and molecules and has become especially beneficial to scientists from all different types of expertise.

http://www.trynano.org/pdf/whatisanano.pdf

After watching the lectures and doing the readings, I gained a better understanding of the principals and concepts of nanotechnology, but I still struggled to find its connection with art. This was up until I discovered Cris Orfescu, a degreed scientist, self-taught artist, and the creator of NanoArt. Orfescu has spent over 40 years experimenting with different mechanics and various art forms to develop this transition from science to art through technology. The way he makes the production of this colorful, abstract art possible is by the manipulation of chemicals and the creation of nano-sculptures. He then captures these monochromatic scans he designed into a computer and furthermore manipulates them with scientific imaging and abstract coloring. Lastly, to make these pieces visual to the public eye, he enlarges the final product onto canvas or certain types of fine art paper.

http://www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/Cris-Orfescu.htm 

Additionally, Cris Orfescu has created an organization called NanoArt 21, with the hope to promote the technological movement of NanoArt throughout the world continuously. His goal is to raise the public awareness of Nanotechnology, and the impact it has on our everyday lives. I believe his goal is hugely achievable, mainly because this is a relatively new scientific advancement that has come upon technology, and has a substantial amount of potential to grow steadily.

 Sources:

Online, UC. “Nanotech Jim pt1.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE.

Cris Orfescu, crisorfescu.com/.

 “NanoArt - Atomic / Molecular Sculptures and Landscapes.” Interalia Magazine, 27 Aug. 2015, www.interaliamag.org/articles/cris-orfescu-nanoart-atomic-molecular-sculptures-and-landscapes/.

The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.

Online, UC. “Nanotech Jim pt4.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHCuZetAIhk.

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