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WEEK 8: Nanotech + Art


 This week's material was really interesting. Dr. Gimzewski introduced quantum dots and he said that they were a type of nanoparticle. These nanoparticles are in our everyday lives, we may not know that they are there because of how small they are. However, their size makes it hard to believe the types of products and technology that nanotechnology creates. Nanotechnology is integrated into our everyday lives even if we may not realize it. For example, nanoparticles of silver are used to deliver antimicrobial properties in hand washes, bandages, and socks. In addition, zinc and titanium nanoparticles are active in UV-protective elements used in sunscreen. 

The big future of nanotechnology in medicine | Past | Events | Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) | European Parliament

“The big future of nanotechnology in medicine | Past | Events | Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA).” European Parliament, 11 June 2020, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa/en/events/details/the-big-future-of-nanotechnology-in-medi/20200611WKS02881. Accessed 20 May 2022.

While researching more about this topic, I learned that nanotechnology has helped the UK company Surrey NanoSystems create VantaBlack. This is a product that coats any surface creating a black hole-like appearance. The black hole-like appearance comes from the carbon nanotubes that absorb light. VantaBlack intrigued artists and together the art and scientific world created Black 2.0. Black 2.0 is an acrylic paint artists can use that is very similar to VantaBlack, it just does not require lab materials to handle it. 

Is Vantablack Really the Blackest Black? | HowStuffWorks

Threewitt, Cherise. “Is Vantablack Really the Blackest Black? | HowStuffWorks.” Science | HowStuffWorks, 5 January 2021, https://science.howstuffworks.com/vantablack.htm. Accessed 20 May 2022.

Nanotechnology can not only help to create art, but it can also help preserve it. Old paintings, for example, wear down over time. In order to prevent these pieces from deteriorating, a process where nanodroplets called micelles and microeculsions remove grime and dirt from the paintings. This process is used in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence, Italy. This is only one example of many where nanotechnology can help preserve important pieces of art or even help create new pieces of art. Nanotechnology is very versatile and assists artists in the creation and preservation of their art. 

Restoration to begin on the Brancacci Chapel | The Florentine

“Restoration to begin on the Brancacci Chapel.” The Florentine, 25 November 2021, https://www.theflorentine.net/2021/11/25/restoration-to-begin-on-the-brancacci-chapel/. Accessed 20 May 2022.

References:

“Art in the Age of Nanotechnology on Art.Base.” Art.Base, https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology. Accessed 20 May 2022.

“Nanotechnology | NIOSH | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/default.html. Accessed 20 May 2022.

O'Brien, Nathan. “Nanotechnology and nanomaterials; where science meets art - Nano News.” Blogs at Flinders University, 18 April 2017, https://blogs.flinders.edu.au/nano-news/2017/04/18/nanotechnology-and-nanomaterials-where-science-meets-art/. Accessed 20 May 2022.

Sandeen, Julie. “Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and Sciences.” Sustainable Nano, 12 May 2017, https://sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/. Accessed 20 May 2022.

Vesna, Victoria. "Nanotech for Artists Part 1-4- Dr. Gimzewski." DESMA 9, 16 May 2022, UCLA, Bruinlearn, Unit 8


Comments

  1. feliciawDESMA9May 20, 2022 at 10:14 PM

    That's so cool - I didn't know that VantaBlack was created with nanotechnology! I'm so glad you brought that up, Sydney. In one of my art courses we were talking about color, and how VantaBlack was a feat of science and art combined. I had also heard of it in the news years back, but it's amazing that the reason why the paint is such a pure color is because of the carbon nanotubes that are absorbing almost all the light that hits it. I also loved that you included how micelles and microeculsions help preserve the beautiful art that has been left to us from centuries ago. Thanks for the great post!

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  2. Matt Wang - DESMA 9May 21, 2022 at 3:18 PM

    Great post Sydney! Like Felicia, I also like how you mentioned VantaBlack. On a bit of a tangent, I think the story behind VantaBlack leaves an interesting question about ownership and creativity - after the team at Surrey Nanosystems developed the color, artist Anish Kapoor (famous for Cloud Gate / "the bean" in Chicago) bought the rights/license to use the color, exclusively for himself. In response, artist Stuart Semple created "darker blacks" Black 2.0/Black 3.0, which he has licensed to "anybody except Anish Kapoor".

    To me, this draws interesting questions on what people can own - I think it's a bit absurd to say that someone can own a color. That being said, we've learned this week that nanotechnology is immensely complex, and intellectual property/patents for the actual process *could* make sense. And, of course, more complex derivatives - like certain color palettes, art styles, or indeed, artworks themselves - are clearly patentable. In my personal perspective, I think it goes against the values of art to be able to patent a colour, but I'm curious to hear what others think!



    More on that here:

    - https://www.cnn.com/style/article/blackest-black-ink-culture-hustle/index.html
    - https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2019/aug/05/black-30-anish-kapoor-and-the-art-worlds-pettiest-funniest-dispute

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