Art and Science in Conversation
Global Context: Scientific and Technical Innovation I believe that artists have always used scientific understanding in their artworks, throughout history, from the Renaissance to the modern world. Whether through different concepts or techniques, artists have always been influenced by science (to some extent). For example, during the Renaissance period, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci were influenced by the rapid scientific advancements in their environment, and as a result, these scientific themes were explicitly evident in their artworks. Furthermore, even in the modern era, we see artists being influenced by science (for example, artificial intelligence and climate change) and creating artworks that incorporate these aspects and concepts.
Key Concept: Change I believe the key concept focuses on the transformation or movement from one form to another. Applying this to our unit, it could focus on how when scientific innovations and inventions were introduced during the Renaissance, art began to change. It began to adapt to societal changes, and many artists (for example, DaVinci, Titian, and Vasari) began to explore scientific ideas and concepts (for example, human anatomy, genetics, gravity, astronomy, etc.)
Related Concepts: Interpretation and Composition Understanding the experiences and events primarily through the reference frame of our own reality and contexts is the key concept of interpretation in visual arts. This, in my opinion, means that artists are motivated and perceive science based on their "own realities and contexts," which prompts them to employ different symbols, techniques, and color schemes and helps them develop their own unique stylistic and artistic identities.
SOI: Art and science improve our understanding of the world. I think that art in general has always contributed to our ability to comprehend the world better. Artists have long participated in the most difficult endeavors and groundbreaking discoveries throughout history. In relation to the unit, if we use the current climate change movement as an example, we observe a rise in the number of artists addressing the environmental issues we face. We can see how these artists use their artwork to raise awareness of these issues and to further our understanding of the planet as a whole. If we use the fourth IR (related to artificial intelligence) as another illustration, we continue to observe an increase in the number of artists who are attempting to educate their audiences about these novel ideas and scientific advancements.
Artistic Intention: Without artistic intention, an artwork lacks purpose or a message for its intended audience. I have also realized that each viewer's interpretation of artwork varies from the other. I also believe that the audience's interpretation of one's artwork might differ, but it's always similar or related to the artistic intention of the artist. Through my artworks, I want to explore the new technology of geoengineering and its possible side effects. Geoengineering is a new technology introduced by scientists which is a deliberate and large-scale intervention in the Earth's climate system. Hence, through the art created by me, I want to explore the possible negative side effects this unpredictable new technology can have on our society and our solar system.
Layout 1: Terraforming
Terraforming or space colonization is the hypothetical process of modifying the atmosphere, environment, temperature and surface similar to earth to make it habitable for humans to live on it.
Elements: shattering planet, explosion in the background, and empty space
Color scheme: This artwork will have a monochromatic color scheme, with most hues being cool in nature. Hence, the color scheme will be close to blue, black, and grey (symbolising sadness and negative emotions). The reason I chose cool colors was that I wanted this artwork to have a negative and sad mood, depicting the possible damage this technology can do to an entire planet.
Inspirations: For this artwork, I was inspired by the surrealistic approach of Salvador Dali combined with my recent interest in the technologies of Geoengineering and space colonization. Through this artwork, I wanted to explore something above reality, something which hasn't been done before; a possibility which could take place due to these technologies.
Layout 2: Impacts of Terraforming
Elements: destructive and chaotic environment, warm colors in the sky (showing an explosion), aliens running around panicked
Color scheme: The artwork will have a complementary color scheme in the foreground and background; with the foreground having cool colors and the background having warm colors.
Terraforming and Geoengineering is a significantly recent and new technology, and the long term effect of this is still unknown. Personally, I believe that the ethicality of this technology hasn't been taken into account while making it, hence through this artwork I want to consider how it can impact another planet and its habitat to a great extent.
Symbols Used
shattered planet
explosions
big bang (scientific theory)
aliens
Having