Nanotechnology + Art

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology that deals with the manipulation of

individual atoms and molecules conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology is applied to medicine to conduct research in the medical field, which is called nanomedicine. It has been very helpful in the cancer research because it can be applied to
pharmaceuticals to create drugs to target specific tumors. For example, these nanodrugs can be used to lessen the toxicity for breast cancer. Nanoshells are also being used as antibodies to detect and recognize cancer cells.

The makeup industry is also taking advantage of nanotechnology. Quantum dots are particles that can change colors when the particle is nanosize. The material could be all one substance, but different colors because the smaller the size the redder the color and the larger the size the blacker the color. Because nanoparticles and drugs helps with toxicity, these particles are non-toxic. L’Oreal has been

investing a lot of money in nanotechnology for their skin products and are starting to look at using it for pigments. This technology could vastly change the game for makeup artists because there have incidents where actors have been sent to the hospital because they were allergic to an ingredient in the makeup or getting burned from materials heating up from the stage lights. Schumacher said it the best, “ Wisdom requires a new orientation of science and technology towards he organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant, and beautiful” (Gimzewski & Vesna, 6). 

Artists use nanotechnology to create beautiful molecular

landscapes of nanoparticles. Nanoart represents natural molecules that exist in nature blown up make the idea of nanoparticles more visual and easier to comprehend. Their artwork can be used as research and
learning tools because being able to visualize something the naked eye cannot see helps scientists understand what is going on in a world that is practically invisible to us.


Images:

• Fluorescence Imaging with Quantum Dot Nanocrystals. Digital image. Semrock. Web. 
• Simon, Virginie. Nanomedicine. Digital image. My Science Work. 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 
• Tranquilin, Ricardo. Extraordinary Beauty of the NanoArt World. Digital image. Discovery News. 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 

References:

• Baker, Silvia. "Makeup History." Makeup for the Stage Lecture. Los Angeles. 5 May 2015. Lecture.
• Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotechnology + Art Lectures." Desma 9 Lecture. Los Angeles. 18 May 2015. Lecture. Online
• Gimzewski, Jim., & Vesna, Victoria. "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science." (2004): 1-8. Print.
• "NANOART." NANOART 21. Web. 22 May 2015.
• "What Is Nanotechnology?" Nano.gov. United States National Nanotechnology Initiative. Web. 22 May 2015.