NanoTechnology + Art

This week’s topic was about the intersection of nanotechnology and art, which was particularly interesting because nanotechnology is not a discipline that I have been exposed to very much before this. Nanotechnology, simply put, is the study of matter at the atomic and molecular level where properties of matter are significantly different than at a larger scale making it vital to understanding many other aspects of how the physical world works (Wang). Professor Vesna, in her lecture, goes on to expand o how there have been many discoveries and breakthroughs in the field of nanotechnology that are really changing the paradigm of the norm (uconline).

A graphic that shows the scale of nanotechnology
Courtesy of: orau.org

One very interesting overlap I found between art and these new nanotechnologies was not in the creation of art, but rather, in the preservation of art. The Research Center for Colloids and Nanoscience in Italy have developed nano-droplets that can remove dirt, grime, and oil from paintings that end up destroying the artwork if left unremoved. This cleaning solution also presents environmental benefits compared to traditional methods (Papramanik).

Example of NanoTechnology Restoration
Courtesy of: sustainable-nano.com

Additionally, there are more traditional overlaps of nanotechnology and art. Christian Orfescu runs a lab in Torrance, CA by day, but in his free time, he uses his lab’s nanotechnology to create works of art based on the molecular landscapes of materials using electron microscopes (Feder). In fact, he even hosts competitions for this “nanoart” and lends his instruments out to others to try and create art out of them.

Orfescu's art created using NanoTech
Courtesy of: crisorfescu.com/

Nanotechnology has created a new realm of art that focuses on the small, which, in a sense, has opened up a new “world” for artists to explore (Orfescu). Art on this level focuses on the very basic levels and presents a completely new perspective. While art has always been about “little details,” nanotechnology takes that to a new level while also helping preserve the more traditional forms of art.

Sources:

Feder, Barnaby J. “The Art of Nanotech.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008, bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/.

Orfescu, Chris. “NanoArt: Nanotechnology and Art.” Academy of NanoArt, nanoart.org/nanoart-nanotechnology-art/.

Papramanik, Suni. “Art Conservation and Nanotechnology.” The Art Treehouse, arttreehouse.com/artstore/mike-strickland-writes-about-bio-thinner/.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech intro.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Mar. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=RF0Qt7L2-kM.

Wang, Zhong L. “What Is Nanotechnology?” What's Nanotechnology?, www.nanoscience.gatech.edu/zlwang/research/nano.html.