Medicine, Technology and Art

Functional Portraits – Marta De Menezes (2002-2003)

Human body is an object that is profound, subtle, and full of mysterious. Says, we can feel that we are sick while feeling uncomfortable and weak, for instance, to be knocked over by fever, or keep coughing badly. However, we couldn’t see what is going on in our inside human body and detect how the viruses harm our internal organs unless art step into and intersect in the area of medicine, and with technical cooperation by advanced technology. MRI is a great medical example that has been mentioned in lecture video by Professor Vesna and the article ‘Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between Science and the Arts’ which was authored by Casini, Silvia.

We all know that MRI scan is a common medical procedure while being hospitalized, and its job is to create detailed images of the organs and tissues for examining any potential or existing disease within the body. By viewing the images, it is possible to trace the self, viewing subjects to access memories. It is true of the idea “MRI- both images and the examination-- is a memory-trigger that engenders other images and words.” Yet, it is amazing that the images of MRI can be transformed into artworks as exhibitions. For example, “Functional Portraits” is an art project which was created by the artist Marta de Menezes. She used fMRI of brain to create portraits where the mind can be visualised.

The Nuclear Family

Her creations are a lot more than this. “The Nuclear Family” is another bio-artwork which are represented using DNA microarrays. It displays the genetic differences from human beings to different groups. The meaning behind this art piece is significant in terms of “the uniqueness of the individual is a consequence of the factors that are not encoded in the genes and that determine how each of us becomes.” As stated by Mia Couto, a Mozambican writer, “Every Man is one race.”

Hence, plastic surgery can be considered as a combination of medical science and art. There are countless stories of women who have ever attempted to do plastic method at their faces or bodies to improve their appearances. However, a French performance artist, Orlan, used several surgical alterations to her face and body intentionally to challenge beauty standard. That is also an example of a bond of medicine, technology, and art. Doubtlessly, art is everywhere and whatever it bounds with.

References:

Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations

between Science and the Arts." Ca’ Foscari Università Di Venezia, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2017.

<Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as MIrror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between

Science and the Arts>

"Experimental Art Practice: Art and Biological Research Combined with Marta De Menezes."Video

Pool Media Arts Centre. Video Pool Media Arts Centre, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2017.

<http://www.videopool.org/experimental-art-practice-art-and-biological-research-combined-

with-marta-de-menezes/>

Marta De Menezes. "Nuclear Family." Marta De Menezes. Moshi Moshi, 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

          <http://martademenezes.com/portfolio/nuclear-family/>

Sumitra. "Orlan – The French Performance Artist Who Used Plastic Surgery to Challenge Beauty

Standards." Oddity Central - Collecting Oddities. Odditycentral.com, 02 Jan. 2013. Web. 29

Apr. 2017. <http://www.odditycentral.com/news/orlan-the-french-performance-artist-who-

           used-plastic-surgery-to-challenge-beauty-standards.html>

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4>