baileygiovanoliDESMA9

M ovies have always been the most interesting form of art. I couldn’t quite understand why until I read an article where the writer detailed “movies are the highes t art form because it takes writing, story, photography, drawing, painting, concept art, animation, visual effects, music, acting” (ActionVFX). This made me reflect on movies as a whole and realize that many famous action movies center around outer space. Space and art are unique in that they interplay with one another and help us to create fictional worlds and even theorize about the unknown. A few examples of the highest-grossing movies of all time that include space components are Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (Box Office Mojo).  Both of these movies take on a unique art form that weaves space and space travel into the genre.  Via IMDb This pushed me to realize one of my favorite movies of all time sits directly at the center of space and art: Interstellar. “ When Earth becomes uninhabit...

T he first time I heard of nanotechnology was actually while watching Avengers: Infinity War , in which Tony Stark (IronMan) has a suit made out of nanotechnology. See bel ow for a gif of the suit.  Via Avengers: Infinity War This sparked my interest to think about how nanotech and fashion could intersect. Nanotechnology is already being incorporated into clothes via silver nanoparticles. These particles are antimicrobial, meaning they “kill bacteria that causes bad odor” (Cave). One set back to the silver technology is that “ nanosilver is released from the fabric through sweat, and that those particles can be absorbed through the skin” (Green America). Long term, this could pose potential health risks. Below is a graphic of how silver nanoparticles affect the body and its functions.  Via Dove Medical Press However, there are still other nanotechnologies that are hopeful. Nano-whiskers, another form of nanotechnological fabric, can “produces a lightweight water- and stai...

T his week’s topic “Neuroscience and Art” has me thinking about the brain and how it processes information, including art. Art can be consumed in many different ways. Two examples are visually and auditorily, both of which are processed by the brain in slightly different ways. Visual information is “processed by an intricate system of interconnecting neurons, which begins with the optic nerve in the eye up to the visual processing center in our forebrain called the visual cortex” (Huff et al.). View diagram below for visualization of visual processing.  Via All About Vision As for auditory processing, the “outer ear directs sound waves to your eardrum and causes it to vibrate. These vibrations move through your middle ear and into your inner ear. Finally, these signals travel to your brain, which translates them into what you hear” (Cleveland Clinic). View below for a diagram depicting how auditory processing occurs.  Via University of Minnesota Libraries In addition to the p...

O ver the weekend of week 4, I had the opportunity to attend Coachella. I had never been before, so I was not expecting to see so many art installations, let alone any that applied to this course. One particular art installation caught my eye. It’s called the Balloon Chain by Robert Bose. The balloon chain “is a large scale ephemeral sculpture made up of multiple expansive strands of helium filled balloons” (Balloon Chain). The installation relies heavily on two things: Bose and the wind to take its form. Bose acts as the anchor at one end (see below) in which he adjusts his position to the wind, while the other end allows for observers to be a part of the structure by anchoring the other end.  Photo taken by Bailey Giovanoli (myself) at Coachella 2024 As for the wind, Bose himself has said that “each installation is different” and that “the wind makes sure of that” (Blake). This can be seen below in how the kinetic sculpture looks slightly different in all the pictures I have take...