Observing Nature, Communication Faults in Science
About 5 years ago I participated in an article titled Optimized expression and refolding of human keratoepithelin in BL21 (DE3). The title is simply an example of how science is very good at sounding elitist and giving the general public a cold and sterile view point of the natural world. Academic articles exist to communicate pieces of information from one scientist to the next, they are not generally written for the public. Still, the problem is that scientists are not obligated to communicate other parts of the human spirit through their journey of discovery. Science might say that it is not needed, efficient, or quantifiable to include things like emotion or reflection in a scientific publication. I say it falls short of being human as these articles appeal to the intellect but not to the spirit or soul.
Both science and art are inspired by nature, but the communication and expression of these inspirations have evolved into separate disciplines. In the art world it is completely acceptable to make an observation, express the observation, and give it no reason. This is part of the beauty in art, that it can be created without reason and exist without explanation. However, the same is not acceptable in the scientific community where an observation should be accompanied by reason or explanation. In some respects this is natural for a scientist. Their curiousity and drive to discover, push to give reason to their observations. The fault comes when the final presentation in science forgets the original inspiration for the discovery. If you forget your inspiration, you risk presenting a soulless idea. If science wants to appeal to the public it needs to communicate reflections and emotions that all humans possess, not just sentences full of intellectual explanation. In other words, science could take some tips from art.
It could benefit both the sciences and the arts if scientist could create more artistic visual reflections of inspiration or discoveries. The benefit in science would be an increased ability to communicate to a wider audience. Representations in painting or sculpture are typically more comprehendable to a public audience than academic writings. Also, art lends itself to a more human experience than science, which offers an intellectual experience. I am not proposing that science lower its standards for method or thought, but simply that it might be filled to fit a more human profile that does not omit inspiration and spirit.
Measuring life and its complexity.
Pondering if it will ever be possible to mimic the complexity that exists in nature with a non-living design. All I can think of for my conclusion is NO, because we humans seem to enjoy creating very simple designs in comparison to the designs of mother nature. For example, here in Mexico there are problems with erosion because people have been clearing the forests for big business. Obviously this reduces the number of animals and species living in the area, and so it reduces the biological complexity in the ecosystem. Clearing and rebuilding also simplifies the environment because it replaces the beautiful and complex anatomy of living organisms with a simple structure, like a Walmart. Think of the complexity needed in a biological systems for an orchid to bloom, and we remove this to make lots for houses. We erode the complexity of our natural environment, and replace it with simple human designs. What if the answers to human problems are hidden in the organisms that already exist, but now we have done away with them in our efforts to build a beach resort or parking lot? I am starting to think that investments in new designs, that are really just improvements on old ones, should be wiped from the board. Maybe we should start over and begin to use the designs that already exist in living things. They’re alive, we’re alive, we should be working together to solve environmental problems not cutting each other out and burning up the world’s complexity–because we’re not very good at replacing it.
Mimic the complexity of nature, possible? No
More water cycle sketches…
thoughts on transpiration
What's the affect of atmospheric pressure on plants?
Crispy Cookies and Half-baked Paintings
Reflecting on things good underdone-cookies and perfume, unacceptable underdone-potatoes and sex, or acceptable when overdone- art.
At times it can be difficult to determine when a task is truly finished. In painting I believe that with more practice, you can become better at recognizing when a work is done, though it is a natural challege in the arts. I thought about done and doneness and it occured to me that the idea of “done” can vary greatly with opinion and personal preference. For example, I’d jump hurdles for chewy cookies but I think the crispy ones are for the birds. This is a personal preference, when I make cookies I pull them out of the oven a little unfinished so they perserve their chewy goodness. Though I am sure there are people in existance who prefer a snappy cookie. The same could be said about art. There are diverse opinions on whether a particular artwork is overdone, underdone, or just right. In contrast to my opinion on cookies, I actually much prefer art that has been overworked to art where the idea clearly remains half-baked. An overdone painting is hard to view, it can be like squinting on a bright day. Squinting is a horrible state of vision and mind, it’s uncomfortable, irritating, and frustating to navigate. But at least while squinting in the sun most people appreciate the fact that the sun exists. I have the same logic for an overworked painting, it might be painful to view but I can appreciate that the artist was trying to convey an idea. Overdone art I can stomach, but I have a hard time chewing on ideas in underdone paintings. I think it is the art equivalent of serving raw potato. Bland evidence of a cheap and lazy cook, it’s pretty hard to bite into and enjoy a potato that’s been half-baked. I love potatoes so the thought of receiving one underdone is pretty disappointing. I guess I feel the same way about art, observing a work that is not completely developed is disappointing as a viewer. I am sure I have created overdone paintings and writings, but I avoid the underdone in art and recognize it is different than baking cookies. I guess in life some things are good, even better, underdone like cookies and perfume. I think it’s safe to say many things are bad when underdone, potatoes for one, but I think sex is an obvious answer here too. Also, in my opinion art should not be underdone. So have your opinion on “doneness” in art, just keep it straight from your other opinions on cookies, potatoes, sex, and perfume.
Eroding gardens
Fateful Intersection
Parallel Green Design
Mountain erosion.
Collapse in Muddy Water
I completed this in late September, it’s 24 by 24 inches on canvas. This work is a reflection on many ideas I have about erosion and its consequences on our structures and other living things. These thoughts were inspired simply by the roads in front of our house, which wash away with each storm. It made me think of mountains weathering and losing rock that eventually erodes making the rivers muddy. I didn’t have to stretch my imagination too far on this one since I watch it rain on the mountains almost everday this time of year.
