One of the most important and useful applications of the intersection of science, art, and technology occurs in the field of medicine. In lecture this week, we discussed how art, science, and technology come together in the field of medicine. The signs and symptoms of many diverse medical conditions can be aided by the use of technologies. For instance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, as discussed in class, has allowed healthcare workers to use technology to visualize, diagnose, and treat many conditions, varying greatly in severity (e.g., scoliosis, broken bones, cancer, inflammation in the body). MRI imaging has even been used to visualize the places in the mouth where different sounds are created for the purpose of studying linguistics (as I have watched this week in my linguistics class in our study of phonetics). MRI images are a unique work of art that showcases the beauty of the structure of the human body. It is interesting to visualize the idea of the structure of things, the body being a key example, as discussed in class. Additionally, medicine, technology, science and art come together in the creation of artificial limbs (i.e., prosthetic legs, robotic arms) for those with limb differences. Alleles Design Company uses art to make cute, creative designs for prosthetic legs, and “[Alleles Design Company] models its covers in 3-D on a computer, then fabricates them using various manufacturing machines. The result is a made-to-measure product fashioned from lightweight, durable ABS plastic that attaches to a prosthesis with two polyurethane straps with metal hooks” (Jagannathan Meera and Moneyish 1). In the article “This Design Duo Turns Prosthetic Limbs into Works of Art,” Meera and Moneyish also discuss how artistically designed medical technologies of prosthetic legs can help normalize conversation surrounding disability. Furthermore, I have recently heard of the use of exoskeletons (e.g., Trexo robotics) to help individuals with conditions that impair ambulation (e.g., spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy) to be able to walk again. The Trexo robotics machine is in it of itself a work of art; a creation of a pair of wearable artificial legs in a colorful design, which children with disabilities that affect anmulation can wear and be able to experience walking for the first time.
Reference: photo from https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/wearable-robot-helps-children-walk
Reference: photo from https://nypost.com/2018/07/06/this-design-duo-turns-prosthetic-limbs-into-works-of-art/ Design for prosthetic limbs by Alleles Design Team.
MRI Cross-Section of Someone’s Mouth and Throat While Singing ‘If I Only Had a Brain' - Reference: photo from https://allthingslinguistic.com/post/117552019408/an-mri-cross-section-of-someones-mouth-and-throat
There are also many different applications of art to the human body outside of medicine to treat physical conditions. An example of such art is the jewelry created by artist Emily Watson. Each piece of jewelry showcases the image of the human body. These pieces of jewelry are wearable art that can help increase confidence surrounding body image. This increase in confidence from this unique, beautifully styled jewelry can help boost the mental health of individuals who may be struggling to accept their body image.
Emily Watson: Metal & Enamel Jewelry - Reference: photo from http://www.metalemily.com/index.html
Works Cited
Alleles Design Studio, et al. “Alleles Design Studio: Prosthetic Limb Design.” Alleles Design
Studio/New York Post Article "This Design Duo Turns Prosthetic Limbs into Works of Art", NYP Holdings, Inc./New York Post, New York, NY, 6 July 2018, https://nypost.com/2018/07/06/this-design-duo-turns-prosthetic-limbs-into-works-of-art/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
ASME, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. “Wearable Robot Helps Children
Walk.” ASME, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Wearable Robot Helps Children Walk, ASME, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 25 Apr. 2018, https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/wearable-robot-helps-children-walk. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Institute, Beckman, and Gretchen McCulloch. “MRI Cross-Section of Someone’s Mouth and
Throat While Singing ‘If I Only Had a Brain.’” All Things Linguistic: A Blog about All Things Linguistic by Gretchen McCulloch/Embedded Video "New Super-Fast MRI Technique: Singing 'If I Only Had a Brain"', All Things Linguistic: A Blog about All Things Linguistic by Gretchen McCulloch/Embedded Video "New Super-Fast MRI Technique: Singing 'If I Only Had a Brain"', 3 Apr. 2015, https://allthingslinguistic.com/post/117552019408/an-mri-cross-section-of-someones-mouth-and-throat. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Jagannathan, Moneyish, Meera. “This Design Duo Turns Prosthetic Limbs into Works of Art.”
New York Post, NYP Holdings, Inc./New York Post, 6 July 2018, https://nypost.com/2018/07/06/this-design-duo-turns-prosthetic-limbs-into-works-of-art/.
McCulloch, Gretchen. “All Things Linguistic: A Blog about All Things Linguistic by Gretchen
McCulloch.” All Things Linguistic, All Things Linguistic: A Blog about All Things Linguistic by Gretchen McCulloch., 28 Apr. 2015, https://allthingslinguistic.com/post/117552019408/an-mri-cross-section-of-someones-mouth-and-throat.
Vesna, Victoria, et al. “Bodies Inc.” Bodies© Incorporated: Main, Viewpoint Data Labs,
Netscape, Alias/Wavefront, Silicon Graphics, MetaTools, The David Bermant Foundation, SIGGRAPH, Contemporary Arts Center of New Victoria Vesna, President and CEO/Orleans, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, San Francisco Art Institute, Cactus R&D, RAIN, UC Santa Barbara., http://www.bodiesinc.ucla.edu/frames1.html.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine+Technology+Art,Introductory Lecture.” Medicine+Technology+Art
Lectures: Module 4: Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course. Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures for Module 4 in the Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 22 Apr. 2022, Los Angeles, California, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129896/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=485251. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine+Technology+Art, Lecture 1.” Medicine+Technology+Art
Lectures: Module 4: Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course. Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures for Module 4 in the Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 22 Apr. 2022, Los Angeles, California, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129896/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=485251. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine+Technology+Art, Lecture 2.” Medicine+Technology+Art
Lectures: Module 4: Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course. Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures for Module 4 in the Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 22 Apr. 2022, Los Angeles, California, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129896/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=485251. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine+Technology+Art, Lecture 3.” Medicine+Technology+Art
Lectures: Module 4: Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course. Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures for Module 4 in the Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 22 Apr. 2022, Los Angeles, California, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129896/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=485251. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine+Technology+Art, Lecture 4.” Medicine+Technology+Art
Lectures: Module 4: Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course. Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures for Module 4 in the Design and Media Arts (DESMA) 9 Course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 22 Apr. 2022, Los Angeles, California, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129896/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=485251. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
Watson, Emily. “Emily Watson: Metal & Enamel Jewelry: Home Page.” Emily Watson | Metal &
Enamel Jewelry | Home Page, Emily Watson, http://www.metalemily.com/.
Watson, Emily. “Jewelry by Emily Watson: Metal, Enamel, Jewelry.” MetalEmily.com: Emily Watson: Metal and Enamel Jewelry, Emily Watson: Metal and Enamel Jewelry,
Columbus, OH, http://www.metalemily.com/index.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
“Wearable Robot Helps Children Walk.” ASME, The American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, 25 Apr. 2018, https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/wearable-robot-helps-children-walk.
Hi Julia, great references to this week's topic! I also am taking a linguistics class and was able to make the same connections. I really like how you showed an example outside of medicine and technology such as wearable art. I agree there are many different applications of art that are benefit to mental health. Listening to music, dancing, cooking, and hanging out with my cat are just some that I personally practice and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi, Julia.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job bringing so many topics from this week's discussion into your post. I didn't get the chance to go in depth with researching any artists that work with prosthetics for my post, so I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about them. I'm physically disabled myself, and while I don't use any prostheses, I do use mobility aids and can relate to the desire to decorate them and use them as an extension of my self-expression. It helps me feel more confident in myself and my appearance while using them, so the idea of viewing medical aids as pieces of art rather than purely medical accessories is very appealing to me. I agree with you that projects like these can help normalize disability, and also make disabled people, and people with limb differences in particular, feel empowered by their medical aids, rather than alienated or othered. Great job on the post!
Hi Julia, you bring up a lot of great points and information throughout your blog post. Your information regarding MRI and 3D printing is really interesting and prevalent in today's society. The creativity and technology that is needed to produce these prosthetic legs and to work the MRI and X-ray machines is immense. I think this really fits this weeks post. Technology and creativity is needed. Great job.
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