EVENT 2

 

The event, "Seeing Through: Science as a Model for Art: Which Science? Which Model?" focused on scientific models as a means of making and exhibiting art, aesthetics models stemming from Thompson's On Growth and Form, and the role of attention in exhibitions. 

Richard Hamilton introduced to On Growth and Form by Nigel Henderson and Eduardo Paolozzi. "Growth and Form" explored the impact of science and our perception of nature. "Man, Machine, and Motion" explored the impact of technology on our perception of the moving world' (Myers, 2000). The Growth and Form was shown into even distinct sections visualizing the laws laid out by Thompson and in Man, Machine, and Motion, the images were attached to Formica and screwed into a large grid, allowing visitors to engage with them. 

The work of Richard Hamilton begins with an artistic perspective that highlights "popular culture and and advertising to promote a new form of art" (Reina Sofia). The artist worked with photographs and photographed drawings that portrayed mechanical transport. "Man, machine, and Motion" explored the impact of technology on our perception of the moving world. These exhibitions exemplified the connections between high and low culture and among art, science, and technology. Part of the point was to transgress, even eliminate, the categories of fine art" (Myers, 2000). 

Another popular art of Richard Hamilton is "Just what is it that makes today's homes so different? So appealing?," which focuses on industrial design and highlights the shift in relations where art and popular culture occurs. This art is considered as one of the first representations of Pop Art, which is a "movement that started in the 1950s to challenge the norms of traditional art by bringing in elements from pop culture and everyday life" (Singulart). Additionally, it showcases how advertising shapes lifestyles in creating ideals of modernity and comfort.

According to Ellen Levy, "forms have assumed new actualities in the current landscape of complex systems, generative art, bioart, neuroscience, and bioarchitecture. The insights gained must now be used towards warding off environmental disaster." In conclusion, this event helped me gain insights not only about art but also technology, advertising, and other forms that enrich the way we visualize the world around us. 

Works Cited

Hamilton, Richard, and Robert Crumb. “Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? by Richard Hamilton.” Singulart, 20 February 2024, https://www.singulart.com/en/blog/2024/02/20/just-what-is-it-that-makes-todays-homes-so-different-so-appealing/.  Accessed 19 May 2024.

Walsh, Victoria, and Elena Cripp. “Richard Hamilton's Growth and Form, 1949/1951 (2014) - RCA Research Repository.” RCA Research Repository, 6 February 2017, https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/2317/.  Accessed 19 May 2024.

“Richard Hamilton Man, Machine and Motion, 1955-2012.” Museo Reina Sofía, https://www.museoreinasofia.es/sites/default/files/salas/informacion/419_eng_web.pdf.  Accessed 19 May 2024.

Ellen Levy. "Seeing Through: Science as a Model for Art: Which Science? Which Model?," DESMA 9.  UCLA, 2024