Week 4: Medicine & Art

    The concept of medicine as an art form and doctors and surgeons as artists is a fascinating topic for this week. The idea of the human body as a canvas for art is not new, but what interested me was the use of medical technology in artistry, specifically using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a portrait. It allowed the artists to take a closer look at the intricacies of the body, especially the brain, and create unique works of art, highlighting the complexity and beauty of people. To me, it was interesting to see how artists explore the intricacies of the human form, examining the extraordinary complexity of biological systems. 


Figure 1. Brain Structure and Lesions

    Olynyk's article on the complexity of art demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary partnerships in the arts and sciences, particularly in medical art. The use of biological materials to create art demands an in-depth understanding of art and biology; medical art requires practitioners who can synthesize the two interdisciplinary to create uniquely remarkable works.


Figure 2. Mouse’s Cardiac Lymphatic Network

    When considering the intersection of medicine and art, it's crucial to understand the Hippocratic Oath and its current implications. The oath — taken by medical professionals — includes a commitment to upholding ethical principles and a responsibility to care for patients. Medical technology incorporated into artistry should be done with regard to the body and the patients whose bodies are being used for art, ensuring that ethical principles are upheld.


Figure 3. Twenty-Twenty Surgery

    The readings from this week have opened my eyes to the incredible ways medicine and art intersect. Medicine and art are intrinsically connected, seeking to understand and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. From the use of MRI technology in creating stunning portraits of the brain to the synthesis of art and biology in creating unique medical art, there is more to explore in the intersection of these two fields. Ultimately, we must approach the artistry of medicine with a deep respect for the human body and a commitment to upholding ethical principles.



Sources

  1. Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the arts." Configurations 19.1 (2011): 73-99.

  2. Ingber, Donald E. "The architecture of life." Scientific American 278.1 (1998): 48-57.

  3. Jeffries, Stuart, et al. “Orlan's art of sex and surgery | Art.” The Guardian, 1 July 2009, https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jul/01/orlan-performance-artist-carnal-art. Accessed 25 April 2023.

  4. Olynyk, Patricia. "Synthesizing fields: Art, complexism and the space beyond now." Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research 14.1-2 (2016): 83-93.

  5. Tyson, Peter. “The Hippocratic Oath Today | NOVA.” PBS, 26 March 2001, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/hippocratic-oath-today/. Accessed 25 April 2023.


Images

  1. Curran, Chris. “BioArt Combining Art and Science Could Help Encourage STEM Education.” The Daily Beast, 1 January 2022, https://www.thedailybeast.com/bioart-combining-art-and-science-could-help-encourage-stem-education. Accessed 25 April 2023.

  2. Esty, Amos, and Nicola Quatrano. “Dartmouth Medicine Magazine :: Art of Medicine : Twenty-Twenty Surgery.” Dartmouth Medicine, https://dartmed.dartmouth.edu/fall12/html/art_of_medicine/. Accessed 25 April 2023.

  3. Miller, Hawken, and Ed Tobias. “Artist With MS Finds Beauty, Individuality in MRI Brain Scans.” Multiple Sclerosis News Today, 29 March 2022, https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2022/03/29/artist-multiple-sclerosis-finds-beauty-individuality-mri-brain-scans/. Accessed 25 April 2023.

 

Comments

  1. Robert NeisserApril 28, 2023 at 3:48 PM

    Hi Kristie,
    I loved your inclusion of the Hippocratic Oath in your discussion. It's so important to critically examine how our society has separated art and medicine in order to correct this misguided practice and guarantee that doctors uphold their obligation to do the most they can to heal patients. We must ensure medical professionals provide true holistic care to patients by contextualizing medical practice as art, and therefore treating medicine with the artistic and humanistic consideration it requires.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Serina Quach DESMA 9April 28, 2023 at 11:29 PM

    Hello,
    Adding to your topic of the Hippocratic oath, I also found it interesting how medicinal ethics developed so early in history. Nowadays, society has shifted the role of a doctor to a variety of paths- whether it be a surgeon performing life-saving surgery or gynecologist performing abortions. Watching and reading the lectures have also opened my eyes to how much synergy there is between art and medicine. In order to spread medicine concepts to the public, art is probably the best way to depict it because many people are visual learners.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Audrey LeApril 29, 2023 at 2:53 PM

    Hi Kristie,
    I really love the artwork you included in this week's blog post. I find it so interesting how artists can find beauty in the human biological form through MRI. I agree with your opinion regarding the Hippocratic oath and upholding ethical principles when art and the medical sciences intersect. Hippocratic Oath and its current implications. In order to ensure that ethicality of this field is preserved, I think it's important to question what type of regulation we would like to see. For instance, obtaining consent from all individuals who's actual body is used in form and conception of any artwork should be a requirement.



    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 1: Two Cultures

Image
     In “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution,” Snow argued that science and technology are critical to addressing many of the world's pressing problems, but they cannot be fully understood or effectively utilized without an in-depth understanding of the cultural, historical, and ethical contexts in which they arise. He argued that the humanities could provide this broader perspective while the sciences offer various methods for investigating and solving problems. Figure 1.  The Divide Between Art and Science      Congruently, in "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between," Vesna Victoria argued that a third culture is emerging, seeking to bridge the gap between the humanities and the sciences. She contended that this third culture is not simply an integration of the two but rather a new way of thinking that incorporates both perspectives in a more holistic way. Figure 2: UCLA Campus      The difference between the humanities...
Read more

Week 3: Robotics & Art

Image
"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" focuses on the impact of mechanical reproduction on art. Walter asserts that mechanical reproduction, which allows for the mass production and dissemination of art, has fundamentally changed the way people experience art. He argues that the unique and authentic quality of a work of art, such as through printing or photography, is lost in mechanical reproduction. In addition, he notes that the rise of mechanical reproduction has political implications, as it democratizes access to art and challenges the authority of the traditional art world.  Figure 1. Industrialization This perspective reminds me of the theme of "The Nightingale" by Hans Christian Andersen, a fairytale allegory about the impact of industrialization on nature and art. Essentially, the story is about an emperor who becomes enamored with the singing of a nightingale. However, the emperor receives a mechanical nightingale, believing it to be an im...
Read more

Week 7: Neuroscience & Art

Image
       This week showed me that neuroscience offers valuable insights into this intriguing relationship between art and the brain, exploring the cognitive and emotional processes underlying our artistic experiences. It is incredible how the advancement in real-time brain imaging has revolutionized our understanding of the brain's response to art. Specifically, Christopher deCharms' TED Talk does a great job highlighting the ability to observe brain activity as we engage with art, providing a window into the neurological mechanisms at play. Figure 1.  Brainbow      I believe that the concept of neuroculture emphasizes the complexities between neuroscience and culture, shaping our interpretations and emotional responses to art. Specifically, it was interesting reading Howard and E. Gardner's cognitive approach in "Art, Mind, and Brain," in which they explore the intricate cognitive processes underlying creativity and artistic expression. By examinin...
Read more