Nanotech+Art

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale from a range of 1 to 100 nanometers. The scale of nanotechnology is very interesting because it is very difficult for the human brain to conceptualize at is it far smaller than the size of things that can be registered by human vision. Scientists have tried to relate it to human hair because “the average thickness of a human hair is ~5 x 10^-5m, which is (50,000) nm” (Gimzewski). They have also related it to the human head by claiming “a nanometer would be the size of a human head in relation to the size of the planet if the planet were the size of the human head” (Gimzewski).

One of the most interesting pieces of art that was made possible through the use of nanotechnology is the creation of audible speakers from bones. This project by Boo Chapple is called “Transjuicer” and it utilizes “the piezoelectric nature of the bone matrix in order to cause bone to vibrate in such a way as to generate audible sound” (Art.Base).

Some artists, like Christian Orfescu, use devices such as scanning electron microscopes to create abstract art by imaging the molecular landscabes of different materials.

In addition to creating new forms of art, nanotechnology is also immensely useful in developing new methods of preserving art that are safer and more reliable. The NanoForArt project is created to engineer and develop conservation products that are environmentally friendly as well as reliable in professional conservation of artwork.

Sources:

1.     "What is Nanotechnology?" Nano.gov. National Nanotechnology Initiative, n.d. Web. 17 July 2016.

2.     "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 July 2016.

3.     Gimzewski, Jim and Vesna, Victoria. "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science." Web. 17 July 2016.

4.     Feder, Barnaby J. "The Art of Nanotech." The New York Times. N.p., 25 Jan. 2008. Web. 17 July 2016.

5.     "The Fine Art of Nanotech - Horizon 2020 - European Commission." Horizon 2020. N.p., 23 June 2015. Web. 17 July 2016.

Image Sources:

1.     Comparison of Macro, Micro and Nanoscale. Digital image. NTNU Tech Zone. N.p., 23 Feb. 2016. Web.

2.     Chapple, Boo. Transjuicer. Digital image. N.p., 2009. Web.

3.     Orfescu, Christian. Light through a Pinhole No.2. Digital image. N.p., 2008. Web.