Week 7 | Neuroscience + Art

This weeks lecture talked about Neuroscience and Art.  The brain takes in what we see and feel and produces an understanding of art.  Everyone is different and yet some people perceive things the same way.  People of different cultures and backgrounds often have similar dreams of similar meanings.  Often times, when people dream of being chased, they are usually running away from something or someone.

Studies have shown that smell is the strongest memory of the brain.  A scent that you smell years ago can trigger a memory that you thought you had forgotten. The brain has different profiles and can trigger strong emotions.  A museum was even opened to focus on smells as a true artistic medium.

With the introduction of devices like the Oculus Rift, humans are leaning toward a field of virtual reality.  It creates a whole new world for a person that could fool them into believing different experiences and reactions. You enter an immersive world that replicates the world and recreate sensory experiences.  Its an exciting field that could in the future lead to skydiving inside your own home.

References

Neuroscience pt 3. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 16 May. 2012. Web. 17 May. 2015.

Neuroscience- Mark Cohen. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 16 May. 2012. Web. 17 May. 2015.

Dowdey, Sarah.  "How Smell Works"  29 October 2007.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/smell.htm>  17 May 2015.

 "14 Common Dreams and Symbols and Why They're Important." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 May 2015.  

 Stamp, Jimmy. "The First Major Museum Show to Focus on Smell." Smithsonian. 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 May 2015. .  

Week 6 - BioTech+Art

Biotechnology and art is a topic of great controversy.  The ethics of this subject brings in a lot of debate even though it brings new creative methods of solving genetic problems.

Oncomouse- a lab mouse that was genetically modified to increase susceptibility to cancer

There have been many cases of genetic testing on animals, both for medical and artistic purposes.  One popular case was the work on the GFP gene.  Osamu Shimomura wanted to use the gene to trace drug effectiveness while Eduardo Kac used the gene to turn a bunny green.

GFP animals/plants

Its hard to say whether animal testing and genetic modification is okay and if humans are allowed to essentially play God.

A look into GMOs today that shows how important they can be

Although genetic engineering has shown to be helpful with crops being genetically modified to be bigger and more resistant.  Biotechnology can help improve our quality of life; however, it is a dangerous field and restrictions need to be met to ensure people safety.

References


5 Bioart pt1.mov. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 18 Sep. 2013. Web. 8 May. 2015.

5 Bioart pt3.mov. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 17 May. 2012. Web. 8 May. 2015.

 "GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. Web. 8 May 2015.  

"Green Fluorescent Protein." Biotechnology. 14 Feb. 2014. Web. 8 May 2015.  

High, Kathy. "The Politics of Empathy." Embracing Animal. Web. 9 May 2015. <http://www.embracinganimal.com/ratlove.html>.

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP BUNNY." Rabbit Remix. Eduardo Kac. Web. 9 May 2015. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.