Extra Credit Event 2: Art + Brain & Morpho Nano launch

The last event that I attended for this quarter was the ART+BRAIN and MORPHO Nano Catalogue Launch at the presentation room in UCLA California Nano-Systems Institute on June 2nd. The event started with a short introduction by professor Victoria Vesna, Professor Patricia Olynyk of Washington University, professor Mark Cohen of UCLA, David Familian of UCI, and professor James Gimzewski of UCLA each explaining their involvement in this catalogue and their past collaborations. It was interesting to hear about how this varied group of people met and managed to collaborate on so much. I finally got to see professor Vesna practice what she teaches, as I saw her interact with multiple members of the scientific community to work towards a common goal.

A presentation showing themes of the release

Professor Vesna explained to us how this event wasn't meant to be academic or heavy in any way and was supposed to be just a space for people to meet and discuss ideas. I appreciated this event for the simple reason that it managed to reinforce so much material that we've learned in DESMA 9. I saw the formation of a third culture, art mixed with science, math, nanotech, and multiple other scientific disciplines in a meaningful way. I particularly enjoyed the diversity in experienced staff at this event, as in most events till now, we've only interacted with artists or people more creatively involved rather than technically. It was great to finally interact with scientists who've contributed to this project.

A few Artists and Scientists talking about their experiences

Lastly, this event was also a great way to meet people and form connections that I usually would not have. It was great meeting such experienced faculty from so many renowned colleges and hearing their view of their work. As I learned at my last event, it becomes so much easier to appreciate artistic pieces once the creator or artist explain their vision behind the project. So it was great having all the collaborators on hand to converse with. It was a great quarter in DESMA9, and this event was a nice way to end it all.

A friend (left), Professor Vesna (middle) and me (right) at the event

Extra Credit Event 1: DMA Senior Exhibition - Staring in the Age of Destruction (S.A.D.)

I had the great fortune of attending the DMA Senior Exhibition on June 2nd. It was inspiring to see students the same age as me create such profound artistic pieces. I was impressed by both the technicality and the thought behind most pieces. The massive crowd and their demeanor in the exhibition was testament to its resounding success. It was also great to meet and be able to talk to the artists about their work as I believe that an artists view of his work often clarifies it to others and makes it so much more meaningful.

One of the pieces at the Exhibit.

My favorite piece was a simple piece lying in the corner. At first, it just seemed like a simple model of a city with the projection of lights on it, but as I approached and talked to the creator, it became so much more. He explained to me how his piece was inspired by globalization and the integration of world cultures. He explained to me how this piece represents the uniformity of cities across the globe and how individual cultures have lost their architectural identity. I found this to be one of the greatest artistic pieces I've ever seen because of its simplicity. I believe any art that is so simple, yet can convey such a deep message is true art.

My favorite piece at the Exhibition

This was a great event for multiple reasons. Firstly and primarily, because it made me meet inspiring, and talented people who I can draw inspiration from. Secondly, because it taught me a very important aspect of art; how human interaction and discussion can completely change one's view of the same piece. This was the perfect event to end the quarter with as it reminded me about how simplicity and meaningfulness are the essence of art.

Me with the Creator of my favorite piece