Week 8: Nanotech + Art

UCLA spelled out using CO molecules (Gimzewki)

Nanotechnology is a fascinating topic for scientists and non-scientists alike. Popularized in movies like Terminator, nanotechnology is shown to be a tool that should be feared. However, this is not true. In the lectures by Dr. Gimzewski, he shows that nanotechnology can be used to create art that is unseen by the eye. A particular work that impressed me was that of Lisa, one of Dr. Gimzewski's students (Gimzewki). While it looks simplistic, the process to move the atoms was complicated. This prompted me to look into nanoart even further.


One of the earliest electron microscopy images

The origins of nanoart began with basic electron microscopy from George Emil Palade (Orfescu). From there came the IBM's scanning tunneling microscope which allowed scientists to see individual atoms. Next, in 1989, Don Eigler and Erhard Schweizer manipulated individual xenon atoms to spell out the IBM logo which is widely considered the first work of nanoart (Nano). For the next couple of decades, the quality of devices has increased exponentially.

"Trust" by Hurwitz

There are multiple artists that focus on nanoart. Using high precision tools, they can create sharp images that look immaculate and are unseeable to the human eye. Jonty Hurwitz is one of these artists (Nelson). Hurwitz studied electrical engineering in college which introduced him to nanotechnology. He then studied art around the world and eventually used nanotechnology to create minute pieces of work (Hurwitz). The photo above is a dancer that Hurwitz created on top of a human hair. Many artists use tiny objects as platforms for their art such as the heads of flies, the tips of needles and human hairs to showcase their art's size. It truly is remarkable how small these works of art are.

Nanotechnology is so much more than robots and biotech. It has opened up a world of precision and grace that no one could have dreamed of a century ago. While many people dream of technology growing bigger and grander, nanotechnology shows that going the opposite direction is feasible as well.

Sources:

Gimzewski, Jim. “Nanotechnology + Art.” Lecture 2. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-8-view?module_item_id=16300827>.

 “Nanotechnology Timeline.” Nano.gov, www.nano.gov/timeline.

 Orfescu, Cris. “The Beginnings of NanoArt.” NanoTech Now, www.nanotech-now.com/columns/?article=668.

 Nelson, Bryan. “Artist Creates Incredible Nano Sculptures That Can Only Be Viewed with an Electron Microscope.” MNN - Mother Nature Network, Mother Nature Network, 20 Nov. 2014, www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/artist-creates-incredible-nano-sculptures-that-can-only-be-viewed.

 Hurwitz, Jonty. Art Of Jonty Hurwitz, www.jontyhurwitz.com/nano/.

 Hurwitz, Jonty. “Bio.” Bio Of Jonty Hurwitz, www.jontyhurwitz.com/bio/.

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