Week 8: NanoTech + Art

Throughout this quarter, we have been encouraged to explore the relationship between art and science. In fact, the subject of this week's discussion is the perfect example of their symbiotic relationship.

Due to the nature of nanotechnology, the field was merely conceptual until a major breakthrough in early 1980s when Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) was invented, allowing for the imaging and manipulation of particles at the atomic level. Since then, nanotechnology has been applied in countless consumer and military products, and is commonly regarded as the key to the future technological advancements. I believe that if the technology is applied properly, not only will it provide a new way to create art, it can also revolutionize the field of art conservation.

Zinc Oxide Nanorod Landscapes by Kajene Murugathasan and Xufan Li

Funded by the European Union, the Research Center for Colloids and Surface Science in Italy had been experimenting withproducts that can clean and conserve artwork in a safer manner. Four classes of preservation and cleaning products are created for different materials using nanotechnology: Nano-particle dispersions for plaster, marble and other carbonate materials; Alkaline nano-particle dispersions for pape, parchment and leather; Oil-in-water micro-emulsion as coating removal; and Thin gel for cleaning oil paintings. These methods are already being used at museums and poised to be commercialized in the near future.

Fresco from the S.Cristoforo Church in Milan
(Before and After cleaning with microemulsion)

Aside from art restoration, nanotechnology are often used as a tool by artists in their work. Through the use of STM, scientists and artists are able to produce illustrations and images during their research that turned out to be quite beautiful. Researchers from IBM even produced a minute-long animated film using these images.

'Rose Petal' by Parize Romain

On the other hand, art can also be the key to understanding scientific concepts. In the exhibitions created by Professor Victoria Vesna and Professor James Gimzewski, the audience are able to experience nanotechnology first-hand. The nature of nanotechnology makes it very difficult for the general public to understand without first having a scientific background. This project offered visitors the chance to manipulate carbon molecules using their shadows, all while viewing the changes in atomic behavior.

The symbiotic relationship between science and art is irrefutable. Nanotechnology without art would be nearly impossible for everyone to grasp while without nanotechnology, we could soon lose some of history's most remarkable pieces and new illustrations at a nano-scale would never see the light of day.

Citation

Jordan. "Small (Think Nano) Art." Zatista. N.p., 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 06 May 2016. 

Kapoor, Aarti. "NanoScienceWorld." NanoArt: When Science And Technology Meet Art by Aarti Kapoor. NanoScienceWorld, 2 May 2010. Web. 06 May 2016. 

Lovgren, Stefan. "Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier to Understand?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 23 Dec. 2003. Web. 06 May 2016.

MediaArtTube. "Victoria Vesna and James Gimzewski - Zero@wavefunction, Responsive Environment/ Nano Art, 2001." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 06 May 2016. 

Murugathasan, Kajene, and Xufan Li. "Pan Group." Pan Group. University of Georgia, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016. 

 Newsroom Editior. "The Fine Art of Nanotech - Horizon 2020 - European Commission." Horizon 2020 - The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. European Compission, 23 June 2015. Web. 06 May 2016.

 Orfescu, Cris. "NanoArt." Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications Nanotechnology (n.d.): 1008-019. Web. 

 Orfescu, Cris. "Nanotechnology Now." - NanoArt 2009-2010 International Online Competition: TOP 10. NanoArt21, 29 Aug. 2010. Web. 06 May 2016.