The contrast between our perception of robots and Japan's perception of robots, as pointed out by Professor Kusahara, was an interesting comparison worth discussion. Western perception of robots as evil and scary has added to the gap between the arts and sciences because robots are considered purely scientific and useful in replacing human labor to boost industrialization. Like Walter Benjamin notes in his essay, mechanical reproduction has a tendency of stripping artwork of its "aura"; hence the de-aestheticization of robots. In Japan, however, robots were percieved as friendly helpers, so engineers went out of the way to make the robots look amiable and cute. Thus robots became an integration of science and art, and "the border between the artist and engineer" was blurred. Robots could become our friends if we consider them works of art instead of labor machines.
As a scientist, artist, and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci was living proof that mathematics and art reinforce each other. He was a well-rounded genius who was able to integrate both the arts and sciences in his paintings, works of architecture, mechanics, and human anatomy. His use of perspective and proportions gave his sketches scientific accuracy, and he was able to create the first prototypes of the airplane, calculator, submarines, and much more.
The world is a complete mixture of mathematics, industrialization, art, and science working together. Many of our paintings are a collection of geometric shapes and mathematical proportions. Mathematical sketches become blueprints for scientific inventions which then become a subject of mechanical production. Without the combined effort of all fields, technological advancement would not exist.
Sources:
"DISCOVERER OF HYPERBOLIC CROCHET." Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef. Institute For Figuring (IFF), n.d. Web. 4 July 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Fcrochetcoralreef.org%2Fcontributors%2Fdaina_taimina.php>.
Larson, Eric. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." - Modernism Lab Essays. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 July 2014. <http://modernism.research.yale.edu/wiki/index.php/The_Work_of_Art_in_the_Age_of_Mechanical_Reproduction>.
"Leonardo da Vinci." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 July 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci>.
"Renaissance Man." Leonardo da Vinci. Museum of Science, Boston, n.d. Web. 4 July 2014. <http://legacy.mos.org/leonardo/bio.html>.
"Robert Lang: The Math and Magic of Origami." YouTube. YouTube, 31 July 2008. Web. 04 July 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKcOFQCeno>.
"Robotics MachikoKusahara 1." YouTube. YouTube, 14 Apr. 2012. Web. 04 July 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ_sy-mdEU#t=952>.
Stella,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog especially the section on how mathematics plays a very important part in origami. I too, had no idea that origami (as well as all other art) used so many mathematical principles to produce a piece of artwork. In addition, your explanation of the difference of western robots compared to Japanese ones was very well written. It is interesting to see this comparison that is so radical between Japanese robots compared to western machinery. Do you think that if the west integrated this more “artistic” approach to robots and machines, like the Japanese, science and art would be considered to be more connected? Also, why do you think the west “strips away this artwork” from robots and machines? Is there a specific reason why they do this?
Great job on your post!
Hi! I do think that science and art would be more connected if the west integrated the "artistic" approach to robots and machines. However, I think the west is more concerned with productivity (driving industrialization further by producing faster and more efficiently) so the artistic approach seems unnecessary. Glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteStella,
ReplyDeleteYour blog really gave me a lot of places to further look into the relationship between math and art (specifically origami). I definitely agree with you and Robert Lang about how something so simple as folding paper is based on intricate math that can be used to solve real-world problems. I also enjoyed learning about how Japan has a different approach to robots, making them lovable and cute. Do you think this is a step in the right direction, ignoring what other cultures have perceived robotics to be?
Thanks for the great read!
NGUYEN PHAM
I like what Japan has done with robots by integrating them into society in an artistic and practical way, making use of them where they're needed, but not replacing human labor. I think Japan's perspective is a step toward bridging the gap between the arts and sciences, while the west is widening the gap by ignoring the artistic side of robots and machines. Glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteHi Stella!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I also thought that origami was just random paper folding to resemble animals. It wasn't until 7th grade, when I did a project on origami, that I realized that there was math involved. I learned that it required measurement and accuracy to create symmetrical folds.
I also found Professor Kusahara's discussion of robots interesting. I understand that the Western perception of robots is evil and scary because of industrialization. However, I think this is slowly changing. I believe that the robots in some movies nowadays are good and that they help people.
Nice post!
Thanks for commenting, glad you liked the post!
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and watching the videos you posted, especially the TED talk on origami. You summarized the lecture material and several of the suggested resources clearly and succinctly. I also found it interesting that our perceptions about robots in the United States is different than it is in Japan. I wonder what the future holds for robots and mankind as technology continues to advance exponentially. Lastly, Leonardo Da Vinci is an excellent example of an inventor using science and art together as one to create new technology.
ReplyDelete