Wk9 - Translate from the Science Lab to Art

jacobmiller
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:50 pm

Re: Wk9 - Translate from the Science Lab to Art

Post by jacobmiller » Thu Nov 29, 2012 4:50 pm

As technology progresses we are developing technology that more accurately captures moments in time. For example we progressed from drawings to photographs to videos with sound. All of these technologies have a grand limitation. They are all as if we are looking through a window instead of being fully immersed in the experience.

I have decided to eliminate that limitation by capturing video from all angles and creating a virtual environment for the viewer to move through the scene. I would set up a room with hundreds of cameras equally spaced on all 4 of the wall, the ceiling and the floor. These cameras would capture whatever scene goes on in the room from nearly every angle.

Unfortunately some angles would be blocked by objects and actors but we could get footage from the sides and use the technology developed by Pradeep Sen of UCSB to calculate what the objects would look like from other angles.

Image

We would then team up with ReCVEB to process this information into a virtual environment for the user to move through.

The art installation would consist of a tv on the wall and a pair of projection goggles with a remote control. The participants would put on the goggles which would show the scene in 3d and the user could use the remote to move around to see the scene from different angles. The screen on the wall would show what the goggles are displaying but simply in 2d.

juliacurtis
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:56 pm

Re: Wk9 - Translate from the Science Lab to Art

Post by juliacurtis » Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:33 pm

For the final project I will be combining two departments of research at UCLA. Research being doing at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Molecular Visualization Laboratory the Department of Biological Chemistry has as a resource.

"The Molecular Visualization Laboratory (MVL) is used for research and teaching purposes. It is designed for viewing digital representations of complex molecular structures in a stereo (3-D) environment."(7)
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Often times, people fighting a deathly disease such as cancer, have diminished chances of winning the battle because they weren't diagnosed early enough in the process. Clearly this is a very important area that is in need of improved molecular imaging abilities. My intention with this project will be to take work going on at the Molecular Visualization Laboratory and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and explore the principles and areas of applicability for molecular imaging, then to propose an art museum exhibit that will raise awareness and knowledge of research. In other words, I will be delving into the problems causing the need for more research, research like the above two departments at UCLA, and creating a better understanding and exposure to the principles they deal with. Ultimately I would like my exhibit to raise awareness and create a connection between the public and the medical research community.

In the cancer molecular imaging program area at the Jonsson Center, Direct Dr. Anna Wu, and Assistant Direct Dr. Johannes Czernin, "[seek] to use molecular imaging to study cancer in living organisms, first in laboratory models and ultimately, in people. Molecular imaging allows non-invasive visualization of key molecules, processes, and events and allows a window into the changes that occur when cancer develops." (1)

Molecular imaging "enables the visualization of the cellular function and the follow-up of the molecular process in living organisms without perturbing them." (2) Unlike with traditional imaging, probes known as biomarkers are used, which interact chemically to allow an image to display the existence of certain molecules and their movements. "Much research is currently centered around detecting what is known at a predisease state or molecular state that occur before typical symptoms of a disease are detected." (2) In optical imaging, flourescence bioluminescence, absorption or reflectance provide the various sources of contrast. Infrared dye-labeled probes used after being developed to identify and react as desired in the body pull a molecular moment of time onto a paper in the form of an image.
molecularimaging.jpeg
Their diverse interests range form identifying irregularities and how to apply new developments throughout the process of diagnosing and treating cancer, to developing new molecular imaging techniques.

A link to their separate website provides more information as well as several youtube videos surrounding the topic:

http://www.cancer.ucla.edu/Index.aspx?page=131

http://www.biolchem.ucla.edu/Resources_ ... ratory.htm

Molecular Imaging Technology at UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... XaPct38fdw

Patient Advocacy Session: Molecular Imaging and Heart Disease
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... r-Ga_WSgg4

Molecular Imaging Coming of Age with New Strategies in Both PET and MRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... I_thWGSIhA

"Molecular imaging is being hailed the next great advance for imaging." (4) It is itself a translation enabled through advances in technology. Continuing this research and raising awareness for its needs by putting it in peoples' lives and contextualizing it.

The following is a description of the technology at the molecular visualization lab: "The MVL is equipped with a 3-D projection system, utilizing "active stereo" technology. A ceiling-mounted projector with fast phosphor tubes rapidly projects alternating images, one for the right eye and one for the left. These images are displayed at approximately twice the normal refresh rate. Using specially-designed glasses, equipped with two infra-red controlled LCD shutters working in synchronization with the projector, the audience is "tricked" into seeing a full 3-D image. The system provides excellent image quality unattainable by other methods. Movable images of molecular structures are fed into the projector in real time thanks to a powerful SGI Octane workstation. The MVL is able to accommodate about 15 people simultaneously." (7)

Here we can see that the technology necessary for visualizing the molecular level is immense and I'm not sure whether a temporary installation would be possible. Regardless, the necessity of using more social and artistic mediums to include more of the public in current medical and scientific going abouts exists and that is where my art proposal comes into play.

Sources:

(1) http://www.cancer.ucla.edu/Index.aspx?page=131

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_imaging

(3) http://www.dyomics.com/in-vivo-imaging.html

(4) http://radiology.rsna.org/content/244/1/39.full

(5) http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/c ... /2125.full

(6) http://www.quantumday.com/2012/06/molec ... -into.html

(7) http://www.biolchem.ucla.edu/Resources_ ... ratory.htm

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