Medicine+Technology+Art: How Medical Technologies Transformed Artistic Understanding of Human Body
I find it intriguing how medical techniques and knowledge can be combined with art to create an exhibition that offers both artistic inspiration and anatomical education, such as Body Worlds: The anatomy exhibition of Real Human Body.
The intersection between medical technology and art is a fascinating area to explore, as the boundary between the two seems to be blurred. For instance, medical advancements from X-Ray to MRI not only save lives but also help artists gain a better understanding of the human body. Silvia Casini notes that artistis draw analogy between MRI and "an acoustic mirror capable of doubling the body and enacting the process of recognition", indicating the power of medical technology to understand human identity better (Casini 79-80). Similarly, plastic surgery, according to Professor Vesna, has been used to "restore faces ... during and after World War I" (Part 3, 4:21).
She also states that commercialized TV shows such as NipTuck where "the medical cases of show is 100% based on facts" draw inspiration from real surgical cases (Part 4, 9:55).
On the other hand, modern medical revolution has rendered classical medical oath useless. As Dr. David Graham notes in JAMA, "The original oath is redolent of a covenant, a solemn and binding treaty. By contrast, many modern oaths have a bland, generalized air of 'best wishes' about them, being near-meaningless formalities devoid of any influence on how medicine is truly practiced" (Tyson).
Despite debates over the oath's relevance, medical advancements such as MRI have helped both doctors and artists better understand the human body, blurring the boundary between science and art. Finally, websties such as medicalart.co, missioned "Creating bespoke medical illustrations and animations" (Sulzmann), devotes themselves to helping provide medical solutions through digital artistic design.
In a way, not only is medical technology revolutoinarizing the art world, but they are complementing and ultimately serving each other.
Image citations:
“Gunther Von Hagen's Body Worlds: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies.” Warsaw, https://www.inyourpocket.com/warsaw/gunther-von-hagens-body-worlds-the-original_17990e.
Mailonline, Emer Scully For. “Shocking Pictures Show How 'the Father of Plastic Surgery' Rebuilt World War One Soldiers' Faces.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 15 May 2019, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7031405/Shocking-pictures-father-plastic-surgery-rebuilt-World-War-One-soldiers-faces.html.
“Image Gallery for Nip/Tuck (TV Series).” FilmAffinity, https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/movieimage.php?imageId=978623286.
Other citations:
Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between Science and the Arts." vol. 19, no. 1, 2011, pp. 73-99. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Accessed on UCLA.
Sulzmann , Catherine. “Medical Art”. Website, Accessed 28 Mar. 2023, https://www.medicalart.co.uk/.
Tyson, Peter. “The Hippocratic Oath Today.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 27 Mar. 2001, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/hippocratic-oath-today/.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 3” Bruin Media Reserve, uploaded by UC Online, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/160989/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=5946331
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 4” Bruin Media Reserve, uploaded by UC Online, https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/160989/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=5946331
Hi, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. The post offers a thought-provoking perspective on the relationship between MedTech and art. Your insights on how medical technology can be utilized for creative purposes and vice versa are fascinating and relevant. The mention of medicalart.co is also a helpful addition, as it highlights a resource that readers can explore to learn more about medical illustrations and animations. Overall, this is a well-written and engaging post that sheds light on a unique and interesting subject
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