Week 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

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Image result for prosthetics
Prosthetic leg
This week’s topic was fascinating and thought-provoking. I gained some insights on the intersection of art and medicine that I otherwise would not have given any thought to. It is amazing how technological inventions can finally produce a visual of the inner contents of the human body and further enhance our understanding of our anatomy. Additionally, our success in medical technology has enabled the possibility of altering and repairing our bodies. Inventions such as the x-ray machine have greatly improved the ease at which doctors determine the condition of patients. The introduction of prosthetics has definitely allowed those in need to live more comfortably. I was most surprised at the fact that plastic surgery stemmed from the aftermath of wars and how wars are really the catalyst for advancements in science, art, and medicine. While the practice of repairing and beautifying a bodily feature has been around for centuries, technological innovations sped up the process and made it accessible.
Image result for plastic surgery
Plastic surgery 


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Body Worlds exhibit

Connecting the world of art and medicine, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and Dr. Angelina Whalley created the Body Worlds exhibit to educate the public on their anatomy and the effects of different lifestyles. The exhibit gives visitors a very intimate look under the skin. After death, real human bodies undergo the process of plastination, which is the procedure that preserves the organs, tissues, muscles, and bones. Things like the nervous system and the heart are displayed in the exhibits. When I was in middle school, I got the opportunity to experience this exhibit in the California Science Center. Being so young, I don’t think I fully grasped the philosophies behind the project, but I always recalled seeing it because the experience was rare and unforgettable. I remember being amazed at the sight of the stripped down and vulnerable bodies in front of me. It really opened my eyes to the inner workings of our bodies and I don’t think I ever had a closer look like that. It is incredible how technology and medical knowledge can produce an exhibit that essentially is an educational experience that is shown through pieces of art.







“Plastic Surgery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_surgery.


“The Plastination Technique – Invented by Dr. Gunther Von Hagens!” Körperwelten, bodyworlds.com/plastination/plastination-technique/.

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.” Lecture. Medicine pt1 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>.
Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/FIX-9mXd3Y4.” Lecture. Medicine pt3. Youtube, 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4>.
Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/psjnQarHOqQ.” Lecture. Medicine pt2 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2019. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.

Comments

  1. Myna SimmonsMay 1, 2019 at 4:48 PM

    Hi Harriet,
    I think your post is really interesting. I remember learning about the first forms of plastic surgery in one of my history classes. I found it really interesting and ironic how they first used it to help war victims but now it is used for pleasure to enhance ones image.

    ReplyDelete

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