Medical Technology and Art
As the child of a medical prosthetics maker, I have been able to witness firsthand how the intersections of medical technology and art come together to create something truly remarkable. Seeing my mom work on prosthetics every day has given me a deep appreciation for the creativity and technical skill that is required to create something that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
My mom often uses her artistic skills to create prosthetics that match her clients' individual styles and preferences. Just like how the characters in the movie "The Island" had customized organs and body parts, my mom's prosthetics are custom-made to fit each individual's unique needs and preferences (YouTube). Similarly, this reminded me of the goals of DaVinci as he used his artistic skills to accurately depict the human anatomy in the same way my mom uses her artistic abilities to create prosthetics that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing (Vesna Week 4 Lecture Part 1).
One of the movies that has helped me understand the relationship between medical technology and art is "AI" by Steven Spielberg (YouTube). In this movie, a young boy named David is an advanced robotic creation designed to look and act like a human child. As David navigates the complexities of the human world, he struggles to understand the line between what is real and what is artificial. This movie made me think about how medical technology can be used to create things that blur the line between art and reality.
Finally, the movie "Ex Machina" explores the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Watching this movie made me think about how prosthetics and other medical devices are becoming increasingly advanced (IMDB). Just like the robot in the movie, my mom's prosthetics are becoming more advanced every day, and they are helping people to live more fulfilling lives.
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Overall, the intersection of medical technology and art is a fascinating and constantly evolving field. Through my mom's work as a medical prosthetics maker, I have been able to see firsthand how these two fields come together to create something truly remarkable. By combining technical knowledge with artistic skill, my mom is able to create prosthetics that are not only functional but also beautiful. Additionally, The Hippocratic Oath is a reminder that technology is not an end in itself, but a tool that must be used in a responsible and ethical way to serve the needs of patients (Tyson 2001). The movies that I have watched have helped me to better understand the complexities of this intersection, and have given me a greater appreciation for the amazing work that my mom and inventors like Dean Kamen does every day (Vesna Week 4 Lecture Part 3).
Works Cited
Blass, T. (2007, September 29). The island trailer. YouTube. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtyC3jFh6eM
FACEOFF. (2008, August 29). Artificial Intelligence Trailer HQ (2001). YouTube. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECGnWoQgz6Q
IMDb.com. (n.d.). Ex machina. IMDb. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470752/plotsummary/
Tyson, P. (2001, March 27). The hippocratic oath Today. PBS. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/hippocratic-oath-today/
Vesna, Victoria. Week 4 Medicine+Technology+Art Lecture Part 1. 2023
Vesna, Victoria. Week 4 Medicine+Technology+Art Lecture Part 3. 2023
Image Links:
1. Medical Art Prosthetics: https://www.medicalartprosthetics.com/prosthetics/devices/
2. Da Vinci: https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci/the-queens-gallery-palace-of-holyroodhouse/recto-the-muscles-of-the-shoulder-and-arm-verso-the-muscles-of-the-shoulder-and-arm-and-the-bones-of
3. AI: https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/spielberg-ai-artificial-intelligence-turns-20-tribute-1234647354/
4. Ex-Machina: https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/8/8572317/ex-machina-movie-visual-effects-interview-robot-ava
Hi Madison, thank you for sharing your first hand experience in witnessing how prosthetics work! I enjoyed reading about the similarities between DaVinci’s illustration of the human anatomy and the artistic yet technical skills used in prosthetic procedures. I also liked the idea you brought up with regards to the role of medical technologies– more specifically, its role of blurring the line between art and reality. Seeing how three different fields– medicine, technology, and art– influence and integrate with one another would definitely be crucial in further advancements as well.
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