Week 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

When we visit a modern hospital today, we are accustomed to having various technologies that allow us to get a closer look at the makeup of our bodies and interior. However, we didn’t always have access to what our insides looked like, as we can see how our views of them changed, “as technology progressed from X rays to CT scans to MRIs” (Vesna).

While most see these medical technologies as tools to better the health of humans, they can contribute to art as well. An example is the X Ray, which is commonly used to investigate bones/ligaments inside humans, however when it comes to painting, “different materials attenuate or block their pathway,” (Collins) this pattern of “attenuation and transmission can be captured using a series of film plates,” (Collins) illustrating how the X Ray can be used to physically alter and improve art. They can also be used to examine past art and see the changes that the piece underwent before the final product was complete which can provide insight into the thought process of the artist as they did their work. 

Genetic art is another fascinating phenomena that blends medical technology with artistic creativity using tools such as DNA manipulation. A great example is Suzanne Ankers who, “made sculptures of chromosomes, emphasizing their resemblance to hieroglyphics or letters of the alphabet,” (Gessert) demonstrating how art is a medium that allows important information about the body to be communicated to the general masses. Interestingly enough, genetic art has existed for centuries, but has continued to evolve over time. An early example of genetics being incorporated in art is the pharaoh, Akhenaten, who was depicted, “with a narrow chest, gynecomastia,” (Bejjani) to show he had some sort of disease such as Marfan syndrome.

Ultimately, medical technologies and art are deeply intertwined and as the gap closes, the public will get a clearer idea of what makes their intersection so crucial. Annie Cattrell who used, “computer programming and and rapid prototyping,” (Abbot) to translate brain data into a three dimensional form which is now displayed at the Science Museuem London is a reminder of this evolution.

Sources:

Abbott, Wynn. “Feature: Medical Interventions—Visual Art Meets Medical ...” The Lan , Dec. 2006, www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(06)69910-8/fulltext.

Bejjani, Dr. Bassem. “How Has Genetics Appeared in Art over Time?” Metis Genetics, Metis Genetics, 5 Jan. 2020, www.metisgenetics.com/metis-on-the-move/2019/9/6/how-has-genetics-appeared-in-art-over-time.

Gessert, George. “An Introduction to Genetic Art.” An Introduction to Genetic Art, Mar. 2004, www.ekac.org/gessert_council.html.

Collins , Raye. “Beneath the Surface: X-Rays Reveal a Different Story.” NGV, www.ngv.vic.gov.au/essay/beneath-the-surface-x-rays-reveal-a-different-story/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 1.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=6671243. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Mosher , Dave. “Phenomenal” new X-rays of a Picasso painting reveal images the artist buried in one of his major works. 17 Feb. 2018. Business Insider , https://www.businessinsider.com/picasso-crouching-beggar-painting-xray-photos-2018-2. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Criado, Lula. SUZANNE ANKER, reimagining genetic laboratory fictions. 28 Oct. 2015. CLOT, https://clotmag.com/key-artists/suzanne-anker. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Cattrell, Annie. Where fields collide . Art and Science Journal , https://www.artandsciencejournal.com/post/44699915623/sense-by-annie-cattrell-the-five-senses-become. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.