As usual, we
begin each week with some historical context and background regarding each unit.
In this week’s topic of neuroscience, Dr. Vesna started by doing the same.
However, it was intriguing that most of the individuals covered were not
artists. For instance, Franz Joseph Gall was a physician who believed that the
human brain’s physical shape is an indication of character and mental abilities
(Vesna). Of course, this method of thinking was debunked. Another individual
that heavily influenced the field of neuroscience in his time is Santiago Ramon
y Cajal. He was a Spanish pathologist, histologist, and neuroscientist. His
work with microscopy helped reveal the structure of neurons. Starting us off by
mentioning these two individuals was interesting. Dr. Vesna definitely
emphasizes the connectivity of different fields, and this idea heavily
influenced my blog this week.
One prime example
of the integration of various fields in neuroscience is developing here at UCLA.
The UCLA Neurosurgery department created a robot that can check on patients and
provide them with immediate attention from doctors who may be not at the hospital.
Rather than taking the time to rush to the hospital, doctors can give their
immediate input. This concept intrigued me as it united almost all the topics
that we have covered so far: robotics, medicine, technology, neuroscience, and
art.
Robo-doc at UCLA Ronald Reagan
To relate these ideas to physical works of art, I investigated some of the works of Greg Dunn. He portrays neurons in such a natural manner, exhibiting similarities to trees, flowers, and animals. One of his artworks, Myelination, looks at the myelin that is on an axon. The work exhibits this myelination with characteristics of a tree trunk. Another key artistic inspiration, as mentioned by Dr. Vesna, is dreams. Because little is known about the process of dreaming, artists utilize the freedom to create abstract works or creative ideas that do not have to abide by the constraints of reality. One such artwork created in the 1800s is shown below.
Myelination By Greg Dunn
Myelination By Greg Dunn
Sources:
Currier &
Ives. “The Art of Dreams.” The
Public Domain Review,
Currier & Ives, 26 Apr. 2018,
publicdomainreview.org/collections/the-art-of-dreams/.
Dunn, Greg.
“Myelination.” GREG DUNN DESIGN, GREG DUNN DESIGN, www.gregadunn.com/gold-leaf-painting-by-greg-dunn/myelination/.
Dunn, Greg.
“Myelination, Art by Greg Dunn.” YouTube, YouTube, 19 Oct. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=I7j363a3R8k.
Health, UCLA.
“Robo-Doc Navigates on Its Own | UCLA Neurosurgery.” YouTube, YouTube, 15 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=203&v=FlhBgH3dVF4.
Vesna,
Victoria. “Neuroscience-pt1.Mov.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=482&v=TzXjNbKDkYI.
I also think its interesting that most of the people mentioned weren't primarily artist, yet still highlighted the interplay between neuroscience and art. Cajal, for example believed that art was a necessary component of the sciences, especially neuroscience, because it is necessary to accurately, and effectively, depict what we can't see or what is hard to comprehend without a visual aid. So it makes sense that you see the intersection of these two subjects in the conveying of complicated information, such as neural connections.
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