Event 3: Visiting the Hammer Museum

 

I recently visited the Hammer Museum for my third event, and the exhibit "In Conversation with the Cosmos" by David Medalla stood out to me. I've always wanted to explore the Hammer Museum before I graduate, and I really enjoyed my time here. David Medalla's experimental art combines kinetic, performance, and participatory art movements. His work is inspired by expansive, universal ideas or forces he refers to as "cosmic propulsions." Medalla also explores ideas about spontaneity and experimentation, using the word "Impromptus" to describe his approach.

The "Mohole Flower" series is a captivating piece of artwork, with the flower petals constantly moving up and down. This piece translates the scientific quest for understanding the Earth's composition into a visual and poetic form. It was inspired by Project Mohole; a scientific effort to drill through the Earth's crust to learn about the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle, aiming to uncover important information about the history and composition of the planet (National Academy of Sciences). Throughout our course, we have seen many examples of how artists respond to technological advancements and scientific discoveries. Medalla's work vividly illustrates these themes, showing how scientific concepts can provoke thought and discussion through art. It is also fascinating to hear Medalla's desire to make an impact on the environment, connecting back to learning about space and the potential for asteroid mining, enabling more sustainable space missions (Space Exploration+Art Part 5).

Medalla's next piece, "Sand Machine," exemplifies the fusion of art, science, and technology by using a motor to create intricate patterns in sand. Powered by an engine, the Sand Machine draws circular rings in the sand, forming 3D mandalas that serve as art and meditative guides. This piece reflects Medalla's vision for a future where solar energy and sand are used to transform deserts into fertile land, showcasing how technological advancements can inspire artistic innovation while also addressing environmental challenges. Connecting to our exploration of math and art, I recognized similarities when learning about how the Golden Ratio, a mathematical principle found in nature, is used to create beautiful works of art due to its aesthetically pleasing proportions (Vesna, "Mathematics-pt1"). This connection highlights how mathematical principles can inform and enhance artistic creation.

My visit to the Hammer Museum deepened my understanding of the topics we studied in this course. It has provided concrete examples of how art can highlight and extend the importance of scientific discoveries and mathematics. I highly recommend visiting the museum to other classmates, as the exhibits are both inspiring and thought-provoking, making it a great experience!

Works Cited

National Academy of Sciences - http://www.nasonline.org. (n.d.). History. Project Mohole. https://nasonline.org/about-nas/history/archives/milestones-in-NAS-history/project-mohole.html

Vesna, Victoria. “Space Exploration+Art Part 5.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-2-view?module_item_id=6671234.