Week 8 Post

 Within The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science, Vesna and Gimzewski address how the subatomic and nanotechnological realm is completely different in its actuality as opposed to how humans visually and abstractly represent it. (Vesna and Gimzewski). 


This point is reinforced by Gimzewski, who explains that our understanding and conceptualization of atoms is mediated by art.  He emphasizes how "a picture is not a representation of a molecule", and how these entities are more like "clouds of probabilities". 





In the show making stuff smaller, David Pogue relates the concept of efficiency to tinyness. What is interesting about the minitiarization of technology is that in creating smaller and smaller computer chips, "we're actually using the atomic properties of the silicon". This represents a concrete utilization of this abstract microworld. 





The "art in the age of nanotechnology" exhibition at the John Curtin Gallery also resonates with these themes of reshaping understanding of the invisible, miniature world that permeates all around us. One such artist operating in this space is Boo Chapple, who attempts to "cause bone to vibrate in such a way as to generate audible sound" that would otherwise be inaudible to the human ear. 


Another space innovating this exciting field which represents the synthesis between nanotechnology and art is the Fetter Nanoscience and Art Museum, which exists in Israel. One installation within the new museum follows a drop of water going through a predesigned course, where the journey is depicted in a cinematic experience. This represents another instance of artistically creating an understanding of this subatomic space. 






Works Cited: 

“Art in the Age of Nanotechnology: A Perth International Arts Festival Exhibition.” Art.Base, 11 Mar. 2010, https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology#10.  

Gimzewski. “Nanotech Jim PT2.” Nanotech Jim pt2 - YouTube, UC Online, 21 May 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c. 

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, Mar. 2003, http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.  

“Making Stuff: Smaller.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 26 Jan. 2011, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/making-stuff-smaller/. 

Media Line. “Nanotechnology and Art Collide in Mind-Bending New Israeli Museum”. July 2021. https://themedialine.org/life-lines/nanotechnology-and-art-collide-in-mind-bending-new-israeli-museum/




Images Cited: 

Israel21c. “Israel opens dazzling new Nanoscience and Art Museum”. https://www.israel21c.org/israel-opens-dazzling-new-nanoscience-and-art-museum/


Brittanica. “Atom”. https://www.britannica.com/science/atom


PR Newswire. “Microsemi Announces New Chip Scale Atomic Clock for Space Combining Cost-Effective Performance with Low Size, Weight and Power”. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsemi-announces-new-chip-scale-atomic-clock-for-space-combining-cost-effective-performance-with-low-size-weight-and-power-300660429.html




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