People's perception of human bodies has changed over time with the advancement of technology, which in turn has a major influence in the field of medication. People have started to explore the structure of human bodies since ancient Egypt and Greece by dissecting cadavers. Later, the emergence of X-Ray and MRI, enabled human beings to understand the inner structure and functions of the body without having to physically cutting people open. Scientific revolution has become the main force of the collaboration between art and medicine.
Working at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia, Drew Berry is a notable biomedical animator who specializes in visualizing the cellular and molecular processes of human bodies. As one of his most famous work, “Body Code” is a series of biomedical animations that illustrate the human body beneath the skin at the microscopic and molecular scale. Designed for a variety of audiences, “Body Code” has exhibited in over 30 museums and art galleries all over the world. Incorporating vivid animation into the introduction of scientific knowledge, Berry’s work reveals the current understanding of the human bodies and educate people who do not necessarily have relevant scientific background.
Drew Berry
Body Code
Incorporating fitness tracking and health-oriented capabilities into a smart watch, Apple Watch is a product of the collaboration between art and technology. Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) technology, which is an advanced automatic identification and data capture technology, not only can be used to track production processes in assembly line, but also can be implanted in animals and humans for identification. Through the technology, Apple Watch can gather users’ information including heart beats, sleep patterns, and daily walking distance to provide fitness-improving advice. Other applications of RFID like Google Glass also integrate technology and art into people’s everyday life.
Apple Watch
Google Glass
Technology and art together have become an essential part of human therapy and treatment in the field of medicine. As an example of the collaboration between the science field and the art field, robotic arms and legs are used by people to compensate for their lost limbs. This trend is also reflected in people's everyday life. More and more people are utilizing cosmetic surgery to make change of their appearance. The capability of using plastic surgery to change one's look has altered our understanding of beauty and becomes a part of the popular culture.
Sources
"Body Code." Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.wehi.edu.au/wehi-tv/body-code>.
"Animator Drew Berry Is Here to Talk to You About Making Science Art." Io9. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://io9.com/animator-drew-berry-is-here-to-talk-to-you-about-making-1644346171>.
"Why NFC for IPhone 6 and Apple Watch Is Great News for Events." Why NFC for IPhone 6 and Apple Watch Is Great News for Events. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://exceleratedapps.com/why-nfc-for-iphone-6-and-apple-watch-is-great-news-for-events/>.
"The Real Breakthrough of Google Glass: Controlling the Internet of Things." Gigaom. 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <https://gigaom.com/2013/03/23/the-real-breakthrough-of-google-glass-controlling-the-internet-of-things/>.
"How RFID Works - HowStuffWorks." HowStuffWorks. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/rfid.htm>.
I really enjoyed your post! I especially like how you brought up Google Glass and Apple Watch. These products can been seen as extensions of our biological self in the form of accessories. It's interesting to study, because these products seek to systematize and aestheticize biological functions -- breathing, seeing etc. People do wear them for functional purposes, as well as aesthetic purposes, truly embodying biology and art.
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