 |
| The Vitruvian Man |
Human anatomy first became introduced by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, with Egyptians using its idea for religious purposes while the Greeks used it for science. However, it wasn’t until the age of the Renaissance that human anatomy became intertwined with arts and sciences. For instance, the Vitruvian Man was created by Leonardo da Vinci with the intention of utilizing the human body and applying it to art such as for architectural purposes. Later on, human dissection had proved to be a critical role in documenting and understanding the roles of the body. Techniques such as plastination were used to preserve the body parts and fully gain understanding of the bones, flesh, and fluids. Plastination can not only be used for scientific purposes, but also for art, such as displaying human bodies in exhibits.
 |
| X-rays can help us see our bones |
As we look to how medicine technology has progressed to what it is today, we can look at how human dissections evolved into x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs. Through these different and higher developed technology, the perception of the body becomes shifted. In my personal experience as an active tennis player, I had to deal with a lot of injuries, mostly on my lower back. Because of these injuries, I always got directed by my doctor to get an x-ray or an MRI. To me, I see these techniques as not just science, but also art in the sense that we are looking at an image of ourselves which we are not used to seeing, ultimately changing our perceptions on our bodies.
 |
| Virtual reality can be a tool for pain management |
One of the most recent and innovative forms of technology is virtual reality. In a Ted Talk by Diane Gromala, she discusses how virtual reality is a tool to alleviate chronic pain by its effects of biofeedback, which is a tool to control one's bodies functions. It directs the inner senses and allows one to become more aware and focus inward. She compares the experience to mindfulness meditation as it is supposed to soothe your feelings and temporarily take your attention away from the moment.
Sources:
Ingber, Donald E. The Architecture of Life. 1998.
Talks, TEDx. “TEDxAmericanRiviera - Diane Gromala - Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Dec. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdarMz--Pw.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine and Art: Part 1.” YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine and Art: Part 2.” YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine and Art: Part 3.” YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4>.
Eric, I thought it was interesting how you connected da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, which was mentioned back in Week 1, to this week's topic of medical technology and art, and how an early drawing of the human body can lead to so much more. I also enjoyed your analysis of virtual reality--I had never known that it could be a tool assisting in pain management. I relate to your experiences with injuries as an athlete, and I thought you intertwined your personal medical experiences with a new perspective on the body very well.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how the MRI's are not only a form of science, but are also art as they change the perception. It helps my understanding of what art truly is; it becomes something much more broad than paintings, or merely objects constructed for visual appeal. Furthermore, with your connection to the purposes of plastination, it seems as though art becomes a byproduct of scientific practices. I appreciate the connection to your own personal experiences, where the medicinal technology applied to your own self has allowed you to experience this art first hand.
ReplyDelete