katelyns

Neuroscience is so engrained in our society that we—myself included—fail to notice its’ impact on our everyday lives. This week we took a closer look at this connection.  Left (analytical) and right (creative) brain argument  We begin with a bit of history. Phrenology is a pseudoscience, in which the size of bumps on the head is believed to indicate character traits. (Vesna) Franz Joseph Gall’s practice of phrenology led to the notion that brain size is related to intelligence. Despite being a pseudoscience, it did influence science in that specific areas of the brain do have specific functions (i.e. Broca's and Wernicke’s areas). Phrenology allows us to revisit the left brain versus right brain argument. Regarded as fiction by many neuroscientists, this idea of the brain reinforces the division between art and science by providing an explanation for the stereotypes of artists and scientists.  Adult coloring book, which recently gained popularity T...

While the radical works of Eduardo Kac and other eccentric artists, such as Kathy High, Stelarc and Orlan, are often discredited by scientists, these "biology outlaws" play an important role in distributing information to the common layperson and shaping public perception of science. For instance, transgenic art--"a new art form based on the use of genetic engineering techniques to transfer synthetic genes to an organism to create unique living beings"--opens up a discussion of how to go about genetically engineered life-forms. (Kac)  "Artistic probing", as Ellen K. Levy calls it, question established scientific principles and forces us to ponder what constitutes life.  Eduardo Kac's bunny, Alba was genetically-modified with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which allows her to glow. As a biochemistry major, I am aware of GFP's importance in research--to tag proteins or other biological molecules to observe how or where they function. Its use...

I recently had the opportunity to attend Professor Vesna's lecture on the Ars Electronica festival. She served on a jury for the Hybrid Arts category and the STARTS (science, technology, and the arts) Prize and decided to share this year's  submissions. Held in Linz, Austria, t he annual Ars Electronica festival gathers media artists from around the world to present their work. A group of classmates and I with the TAs (Me in the bottom row, second from right) Last year's Ars Electronica was called "Radical Atoms". The theme was described as "alchemistical", which highlights an important idea that while alchemists performed "non-science" experiments and were alienated by their society, they were essential in the development of modern science. In this way, it is easy to understand and appreciate the work of the participating artists as pioneers, exploring the role of science in society. Video Professor Vesna showed us during lecture ...