Event 3

Getty Villa Visit

Last Friday, the last day of this quarter, I visited the UCLA conservation lab in the Getty Villa. There are only 3 institutions that offer master of conservation program in the United States and UCLA is the only one in the west coast. The conservation lab is one of the best laboratories, if not the best, that I have ever visited.

Outside of the conservation lab

Front Door

Master student working on a mask

 The laboratory not only offers numerous advanced equipment for research, but also has a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Working at such a place must be fantastic experience. However, to get into the master's program is extremely challenging, candidates must have adequate knowledge in both science and art. For science aspect, basic knowledge in chemistry, material science and mathematics are required. Meanwhile, good art perception and multi-language ability are also needed. One student was working on repairing and conversation of a special mask when we enter the lab. People have to be extremely carefully when treating the relics because some of them are invaluable. 

Front door of Getty Museum

Glass flask made in Roman period

Cast Glass

After a lab tour, I also took a walk around the whole Getty Villa. I was very lucky because there was a art exhibition of glasses.  I am taking a ceramic lab class this quarter and I am surprised that people in the Roman period could master skills to produce such delicate pieces. Some of the products are still considered to be hard-to-produce in today's industry. I have to appreciate all the artists in the old days because they proved that there is never an impossible mission. 

 

Event 2

Laser Symposium

After watching the infinity structures, I went to the Laser Symposium. It was glad to hear artists from different places sharing their interesting projects. I was not able to stay for the whole section but I found several interesting presentations.

Dr.Vesna speaking in the beginning of the event

pink noise project

pink noise project

One example is the project on Pink Noise. Pink Noise is electronically generated, yet seems to have a primal aesthetic. Perhaps it is similar to what a baby hears before birth. It is absolutely reminiscent of natural sounds: the ocean, a large waterfall, heavy rain and wind, all of which man has listened to since the dawn of time. The presenter utilized pink noise in resolving human anxiety. They build a room which runs pink noise inside. Volunteers will enter the room feedbacks are collected after spending some time in the room. This serves as a connection between science research and human health aspects. 

Sam Francis's painting

photo of biological tissues

Another interesting presentation is related to the investigation of the similarities between Sam Francis's paintings and biological tissues. This project was leaded by a professor in UC Berkeley. She is actually a scientist. However, when she was doing research on biological tissues, she found the interesting connection between Sam Francis paintings and the tissues. She eventually got funding for her work. It is important to understand that the improvement of science technology is associated with art works. Many inspirations came from art works and promoted the development of technology. 

Event 1

Infinity Structures: 

Paradoxical Space

By Robert Gero

This event is an example of how to effectively integrate math concept into art works. I went there relatively early so I have the chance to actually listen to the author talking about his afflatus. His aim is using mathematics to generate a visual multidimensional space. The special audio music in the room is 10 minutes long and is different from traditional sound. It created a feeling that you are actually in an outer space.

People were listening to the explanation of the work

One point view of the work

another point of view

During the discussion, the author mentioned several interesting concepts, for example, bounded infinity. The room in this case is regarded as a bounded infinity structure. The laser projection is moving on the wall and it is used to create an illusion. It can be imagined like the wall is moving out slowly. The video is different from different viewpoints around the room to serve as a support to the visual multidimensional space. I noticed that all the cross section of the structural component is parallelogram. Parallelogram is one of the most beautiful shape in geometry and it feels like the structural is flowing in some sort of ways.