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Week 4 - Medicine + Technology + Art

This week, I learned and understood the connection between medicine technology and art. In the lecture, Dr. Vesna provides many examples where renowned artists perform with the tools of medicine technology. One of that artist is ORLAN, and her art did render uncomfortable when I tried to understand the overall purpose. Though I believe it is brave for her to bring gender issues by describing her process as one that focused on the stories of different women into the limelight with her art form. 
ORLAN before the cosmetic surgery operation she broadcast to galleries worldwide. 
Photograph: Sipa Press/REX/Shutterstock



 To me, ORLAN's art used medicine technology for physical alterations. It is amazing to learn that medicine technology could also work for mental and sensory satisfaction as described by Diana Gromala, with virtual reality, sensory information in the form of art can act as a distraction to help alleviate pain.
MRI Brain Scan Resutls In Different Views
Prior to learning about art in the field of medicine and technology, I would fail to recognize many of these arts and artists. Similarly, I believe my experience this week is similar to Marc Didou's as described in Silvia Casini's discussion on MRIs. Didou's experience in the MRI helped him "understand the principles of MRI images and their acoustic rather than only visual devices". This parallels with my experience of learning about the process of medicine technology and art, and now being able to recognize and appreciate it.

 Finally, prosthetics would be the first object I'd think of when thinking about medicine and technology. After this week, I recognize how important the artistic aspect is, for prosthetics to integrate into our society. In a study by Huiskes et al., the design and biomechanics were critical in creating a prosthetic that could function more than temporarily. In recent times, designs follow a more naturalistic approach such that scientists now study deer antlers to further improve prosthetics!
Rather than have a robotic feel, the Exo adds a more lifelike dimension to prosthetics (Photo: Will Root)


SOURCES:

Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the arts." Configurations 19.1 (2011): 73-99.

Gromala, Diane. “Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty.” Youtube, uploaded by TEDxTalks, 7 Dec 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdarMz--Pw

Huiskes, Rik, et al. "Adaptive bone-remodeling theory applied to prosthetic-design analysis." Journal of biomechanics 20.11 (1987): 1135-1150.

Kang, Norbert V., et al. "Osseocutaneous integration of an intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis implant used for reconstruction of a transhumeral amputee: case report." Journal of Hand Surgery 35.7 (2010): 1130-1134.

“MRI Brain Scan; What's Involved.” Open MRI, 28 Sept. 2016, www.openmrict.com/mri-brain-scan-whats-involved/.

Sayej, Nadja. “ORLAN: 'I Walked a Long Way for Women'.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 15 Jan. 2016, www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jan/15/orlan-i-walked-a-long-way-for-women.

Sprey, Karen. “3D Printed Exo-Prosthetic Leg Designed to Be Affordable – and Beautiful.” New Atlas - New Technology & Science News, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2014, newatlas.com/exo-prosthetic-leg-3d-printing/35297/.

Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine pt3” MedTech + Art. Desma 9, 29 Apr. 2018, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4



Comments

  1. UnknownMay 2, 2018 at 7:11 PM

    I agree with you on how prosthetic is a combination of art and medicine. Prosthetic hands, in its current version, are very useful and are capable of moving fingers at its users' demand. However, its not only the internal components that have progressed, but also the external appearance has improved significantly. Through art, it has been able to approach closer to a real hand. Without the combination of the two subjects, we would never be able to create such component.

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