Nanotechnology + Art

Like last week's topic, the relationship between nanotechnology and art struck me as one of the more symbiotic relationships between science and art. Not only do advances in nanotechnology stand to inspire new forms of artistic expression, but art itself has helped just as much to inform the science of nanotechnology as it evolved from its classical conception to its modern day uses.

Image result for nanoparticles in roman vases
I was impressed by how the classical Greeks and Romans were not only able to conceptualize notions of "nano" units of measurement, but also utilize nanotechnology in their pottery. Albeit unwittingly, the use of nanoparticles such as nano-sized gold instead of pigments to create unique iridescent colors in Roman glass and pottery glazes. The same is true for medieval stain-glass, which used gold nanoparticles of varying sizes to create captivating colors.  

Although the classical and medieval artists most likely had no understanding of the physical processes that describe how nanoparticles interact with the environment, they were able to utilize them to create art that could later inspire advances in the field of nanotechnology. For instance, researchers discovered in 2008 that the gold nanoparticles which glazed stain-glass windows acted as "photocatalytic air purifiers" which could destroy air-borne pollutants harmful to human health. This revelation inspired new avenues of chemical research into solar-powered chemical reactions that could occur at ambient temperatures instead of the high temperatures that conventional chemical reactions require. 

Insofar as nanotechnology can inspire works of art, I was impressed with Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau's "Nano-Scape" installation which utilizes invisible nanoparticles excited by a magnetic field to create invisible sculptures. Users can interact with the sculptures by wearing a magnetic ring and, through magnetic forces, can shape the sculptures to create something new. Creating an art installation experienced through touch rather than sight or sound is an incredibly novel idea, and opens up exciting possibilities for future artistic expression. 




References: 
uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt3.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=125&v=X0HCNiU_108.

“John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.


“Air-Purifying Church Windows Early Nanotechnology.” Labspaces.net, www.labspaces.net/8666/Air_purifying_church_windows_early_nanotechnology.


Rothemund, Paul. “DNA Folding, in Detail.” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_details_dna_folding.


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


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