“I have been pursuing this independent
investigation of the human body in a medical
school setting,” Cutler-Shaw says of her
artwork. “Drawing is at the heart of this work
as a primary language, as a way of knowing, as a
mode of inquiry, [and] as an act of empathy.”
She also explores the ways in which
individuals project visions of selfhood through
representations of the body. This drives her
to explore the histories of anatomy as well as
medical museums and libraries in Europe and
Asia.
The space and atmosphere of the center
left an impression on the media artist. “It was
a rewarding experience to engage with the
students,” Cutler-Shaw says of her exhibit at
the ArtSci Center. “I was impressed with how
attentive the audience was.”
Cutler-Shaw, along with the student and
faculty artists in the ArtSci center’s archives,
exemplifies the still evolving networks between
the scientist, artist, and school that fosters and
Artist Joyce-Cutler Shaw. extends their pursuits.
In addition serving these pedagogical
functions, the ArtSci Center provides the
space for UCLA students and faculty members
as well as artists to further develop ongoing
projects. The participants engage with the third
culture in rich and diverse ways, revealing the
promising discoveries embedded in the pursuit
of these collaborations.
“I am interested in creating the connections
with people who reside in different schools,”
Vesna says. “So if they move around, we move
the connection with them.”
For more information about the ArtSci Center,
visit http://artsci.ucla.edu/.
Rita Blaik, a material science student,
presented her series of photographs, “Altered
States,” in October 2012. In 2004, Vesna
exhibited Cell Ghosts, inspired by Gimsewski's
work with yeast cell oscillations and the human
ear.
Joyce Cutler-Shaw, the first visual artist to be
appointed the Artist-In-Residence at University
of California San Diego’s School of Medicine,
exhibited “What Comes to Mind” in November
2013. In it, Cutler-Shaw, a multimedia artist,
visualizes neurological functions, focusing on
human consciousness and the structure of
memory, photos and drawings of. The project is
part of a larger work in progress.
SciArt in America February 2014
Center Scientific Director, James K. Gimzewski,
with artist Suzanne Anker.
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