MEDICINE + TECHNOLOGY + ART
In 2013, I was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, which progressed rather quickly after the diagnosis. Because of this, I’m no longer a stranger to medical imaging tools such as X-rays and MRIs. I eventually got a surgery (or two) but I grew some sort of remorse to these tools as it became associated with one of the most traumatic experiences in my life. This week, we learned about the intersections of medical technologies and art. One of the examples I encountered this week was Christophe Luxereau’s “Electrum Corpus,” a fascinating example of the intersection between medical technology and art. Luxereau created this artwork by observing how the human body is perceived by medical imaging tools. He uses X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans to capture detailed images of the body’s internal structures, then manipulates these images to create a series of striking and intricate digital sculptures. I found the resulting art pieces are both beautiful and unsettling, as they offer a unique perspective on the complexity of the human body. Casini's article also discussed the use of MRI for artistic expression, and with these two, despite the personal trauma associated with my own experiences with medical imaging, I wanted to explore more art with the similar concept.
One that I encountered was the artwork “Inside Insides” by Andy Ellison. This is another example of the intersection between medical technology and art, though it takes a slightly different approach. Ellison is a medical imaging technologist who works with MRI machines. These machines usually need a warm-up phase, which Ellison took advantage of while ensuring that the medical equipment isn’t being used inappropriately. He takes images of everyday objects like fruits and vegetables and these images are surprisingly detailed and vibrant, offering a unique view of the inner workings of these objects. While viewing these images, I was reminded by Ingber’s work in which he proposed that the shape and structure of living organisms are not solely determined by their genetic makeup but also by physical forces, giving birth to the concept of tensegrity.
While Ellison’s work is not explicitly related to the human body, it still offers a fascinating exploration of the possibilities of medical imaging technology. I found his images to be both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating, highlighting the potential for creativity and innovation within the field of medical imaging.
Dean, Sam. “Inside Insides.” Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Oct. 2012, https://www.bonappetit.com/uncategorized/article/inside-insides.
Heath, Sara “Top Challenges Impacting Patient Access to Healthcare.” PatientEngagementHIT, 17 Feb. 2022, https://patientengagementhit.com/news/top-challenges-impacting-patient-access-to-healthcare.
Ingber, Donald. “The architecture of life.” Scientific American vol. 278,1 (1998): 48-57. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0198-48
Luxereau, Christophe. “An Aesthetic of Emptiness.” Leonardo, The MIT Press, 9 Apr. 2004, https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/54714/summary.
Electrum Corpus
One that I encountered was the artwork “Inside Insides” by Andy Ellison. This is another example of the intersection between medical technology and art, though it takes a slightly different approach. Ellison is a medical imaging technologist who works with MRI machines. These machines usually need a warm-up phase, which Ellison took advantage of while ensuring that the medical equipment isn’t being used inappropriately. He takes images of everyday objects like fruits and vegetables and these images are surprisingly detailed and vibrant, offering a unique view of the inner workings of these objects. While viewing these images, I was reminded by Ingber’s work in which he proposed that the shape and structure of living organisms are not solely determined by their genetic makeup but also by physical forces, giving birth to the concept of tensegrity.
Passion Fruit
While Ellison’s work is not explicitly related to the human body, it still offers a fascinating exploration of the possibilities of medical imaging technology. I found his images to be both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating, highlighting the potential for creativity and innovation within the field of medical imaging.
MRI Scans
The intersection of medical technology and art is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to transform our understanding of the human body. The issue of healthcare accessibility is prevalent and combining the development of medical technologies and art has the potential to improve this issue in patient care. It may humanize the process more, which then can promote accessibility and desire to seek care.
Sources
Text:
Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the arts.” Configurations vol. 19,1 (2011): 73-99. doi:10.1353/con.2011.0008Dean, Sam. “Inside Insides.” Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Oct. 2012, https://www.bonappetit.com/uncategorized/article/inside-insides.
Heath, Sara “Top Challenges Impacting Patient Access to Healthcare.” PatientEngagementHIT, 17 Feb. 2022, https://patientengagementhit.com/news/top-challenges-impacting-patient-access-to-healthcare.
Ingber, Donald. “The architecture of life.” Scientific American vol. 278,1 (1998): 48-57. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0198-48
Luxereau, Christophe. “An Aesthetic of Emptiness.” Leonardo, The MIT Press, 9 Apr. 2004, https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/54714/summary.
Image:
Ellison, Andy. “Passion Fruit.” Inside Insides, Apr. 2013, http://insideinsides.blogspot.com/2013/04/passion-fruit.html.
Luxereau, Christophe. “Genoux.” Luxereau, 2002, https://www.luxereau.com/arts/electrumcorpus1.html. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
Luxereau, Christophe. “Omoplates.” Luxereau, 2002, https://www.luxereau.com/arts/electrumcorpus1.html. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
Medical Body Scans. “Cross-Sectional Mri Of The Human Brain Is a Photograph by Medical Body Scans.” Fineartamerica, 20 Feb. 2013, https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cross-sectional-mri-of-the-human-brain-medical-body-scans.html. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
Medical Body Scans. “Cross-Sectional Mri Of The Human Brain Is a Photograph by Medical Body Scans.” Fineartamerica, 20 Feb. 2013, https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cross-sectional-mri-of-the-human-brain-medical-body-scans.html. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
I really enjoyed the MRI of the passion fruit, thanks for sharing that. I agree with you that humanizing the medical field more will allow people to feel more comfortable and supported accessing medical care, and I think art could be a really good way to facilitate that. Like many scientists, I think doctors tend to think of themselves as entirely objective and incapable of being wrong, and incorporating a more inherently subjective perspective like the artistic one could be really helpful.
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