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Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

    This weeks lectures were on Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in an essence is a phenomena that takes place at dimensions in the nanometre scale are utilized in the design, characterization, production and application of materials, structures, devices and systems (Scenihr 2006). In nanotech-art scientists become artists by using nanotechnology in their art form. One particular artwork that interested me was Cris Orfescu's "Black Eye NanoOctopus" which was made by a hydrolyzing a tiny drop of a titanium organometallic compound and coating the structure with gold in order to be properly visualized by a scanning electron microscope (Feder 2008).

    This also related to one of the readings during this week that exhibited the Perth International Arts Festival. John Cutin's gallery showed different nanotechnology in certain art forms that were quite interesting. Mike Phillips exhibit showed the single skin cell is analyzed with an Atomic Force Microscope to explore relationships between life and death at the nano-level (Curtin 2009).

    One interesting thing I found was that nanotechnology is actually used to restore old artwork or artifacts. They do this by using nanotechnology droplets called micelles and micromulsions to remove oils such as dirt and grime from old artwork (Manik 2017). 

    Some may wonder how nanotechnology has to relate to art but if one really analyzes it, it makes more sense than not. Art in essence is a new type of universe and nanotechnology introduces a new universe at the nanometre scale. As Bar-Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and advanced materials was formed to create a new nano-tech art exhibit. As one statement made by the exhibition curator states, "Like art, nanoscience delves deep into substances and essence, allowing us to discover new phenomenon and universes" (Yizrael 2021).




Baglioni, M et al. "Nanotechnology Before and After" Nanostructured Surfactant-Based Systems for the Removal of Polymers from Wall Paintings : A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study. Langmuir 2012, 28, 15193-15202. doi: 10.1021/la303463m


Phillips, Mike. "Nano_essence" Art.Base 2009. Sourced from: https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology#6


Orfescu, Cris. "Black EyeOctopus" New York Times 2007. Sourced from: http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/17/technology/20080117_NANOART_SLIDESHOW_index.html




Works Cited

Amar, Michael. "What does nanotechnology have to do with art?" Israel Hayom 2021. Sourced                               from: https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/07/05/what-does-nanotechnology-have-to-do-with-art/

Curtin, John. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology" Art.Base 2009 Sourced                                                                 from: https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology#6

Feder, J. Barnaby. "The Art of Nanotech" Bits Blogs New York Times 2008. Sourced                                   
               from: https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/

Manik, Sunipapra. "Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and                                 Sciences" Sustainable Nano 2017. Sourced from: https://sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-                    conservation-and-nanotechnology/#refs

Scenihr. "The appropriateness of existing methodologies to asses the potential risks associated with                         engineered and adventitious products of nanotechnologies" Scientific Committee on Emerging and               Newly Identified Health Risks 2006.

Comments

  1. Erik JensenMay 18, 2022 at 12:01 AM

    I found this blog post to be very interesting! I was particularly intrigued by your reference to nanotechnology in restoring old artworks. I also found your last paragraph to be very insightful. When most people imagine nanotechnology, there seems to be a huge disconnect between what we traditionally picture "art" to be. But your statement, "Art in essence is a new type of universe and nanotechnology introduces a new universe at the nanometre scale." to strongly resonate with the intended lesson from this week's material.

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