Unit 8 | Nano-Tech and Art

Technological advancements have made it possible to bring the materials on the nano and molecular scale visible to the human. Some of the more notable contributions of nanotech include making fuel more efficient by creating better catalysts for combustion. Nanotechnology naturally also fell into the biological field, currently being developed to dispense medication in specific areas of the body for a stronger, more efficient recovery, which is most prevalent in cancer studies. However, nanotech has also seeped into the lives of artists, utilizing it to not only create their own projects, but preserve others.

The idea of having nanobots within our bodies is carefully described in The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of new science, by Professors Victoria Vesna and Jim Gimzewski. In this paper, Vesna and Gimzewski write that nanotech “has taken on the sheen of authority, as one press clipping breeds another. Indeed, the nanomeme is similar the self-replication of the nanobots themselves. Many articles have an inspired tableaux of molecule-sized robots "grabbing atoms one by one" and then replicating armies of themselves” (Vesna; Gimzewski, The Mechanist View: Molecular Nanobots). By gaining the immense ability of being able to move atoms and molecules exactly where we want, we harness that ability to conquer debilitating diseases and cancers. 

“Floating in an Aliquot of Laboratory Test Fluid, These Hypothetical Early Medical Nanorobots Are Testing Their Ability to Find and Grasp Passing Virus Particles”

The developments created by nanotech are apparent in Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau piece, “Nano-Scape,” that allows users to interact with invisible nanoparticles and create their own simulated sculptures from shaping them. “Users wear magnetic ring interfaces that are made of strong permanent magnets. When users move their hands over the tables of the installation, strong magnetic forces, repulsion, attraction and even slight shock can be felt” (Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau). By pairing the magnetic aspect with the nanoparticles, this enables the user to get a feeling for what they are sculpting, even though it is invisible. In this same exhibit, Professors Victoria Vesna and Jim Gimzewski also took to nanotech as a medium of expression. By placing sand in a circular form and mirroring an image onto the sand, that being the molecular structure of the sand, Vesna draws comparisons to the meticulous practice of Tibetian Monks and Nanoscientist working on their projects. (Vesna; Gimzewski, Nanomandala) In doing this Vesna says that we are allowing the East and Western worlds to become closer together. The molecular structure of the sand was found by using a scanning electron microscope or (SEM).

“Nano-Scape Interactive.”

Nanotech is also paving it's way into art restoration. In order to restore flaky paint on old paintings and murals in archaeological sites, “restorers used a water-based microemulsion system containing water and chemicals called esters along with surfactants.” Not only does this restore the art, but at the same time preserves it. The project called the NANORESTART has been working in this same effort. With a collective of “27 museums, academic institutions, private conservators and private companies working together to find new methods for the conservation and preservation of contemporary art” (Tate, By using nanotech, “Nano What?: Nanotechnology, Contemporary Art and the NANORESTART Project at Tate). NANORESTART will supply properly created synthical liquids and oils to be applied to damaged paint so that the molecular structure of the damaged art will be reduced to a significant minimum, and in some cases, to no damage. Fixing art in itself is art.

“Example of Painting Restoration from the Annunciation Basilica in Nazareth.” 

Text Citation

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

“John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology#7. 

Vesna, Victoria, and Jim Gimzewski. “Nanomandala.” NANO, nano.arts.ucla.edu/mandala/mandala.php. 

Sunipapramanik. “Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and Sciences.” Sustainable Nano, 12 May 2017, sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/. 

Tate. “Nano What?: Nanotechnology, Contemporary Art and the NANORESTART Project at Tate.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/nanorestart/nano-what. 

Image Citation

Figure 4. Floating in an Aliquot of Laboratory Test Fluid, These Hypothetical Early Medical Nanorobots Are Testing Their Ability to Find and Grasp Passing Virus Particles. Courtesy of Jeff Johnson, 2001. Copyright 2003 Hybrid Medical Animation., Figure 4. Floating in an aliquot of laboratory test fluid, these hypothetical early medical nanorobots are testing their ability to find and grasp passing virus particles. Courtesy of Jeff Johnson, 2001. Copyright 2003 Hybrid Medical Animation. 

“Nano-Scape Interactive.” Http://dvky86w5zdi7l.Cloudfront.net/Uploads/exhibition_images/Art/008/010/maxHD_nano-Scape.jpg?1438242713, dvky86w5zdi7l.cloudfront.net/uploads/exhibition_images/art/008/010/maxHD_nano-scape.jpg?1438242713. 

“Example of Painting Restoration from the Annunciation Basilica in Nazareth.” Https://Sustainablenano.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/bagolini2012.Png?w=503&h=303, sustainablenano.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/bagolini2012.png?w=503&h=303.