Anatomy and Art

I just had to put up a link to this one.
This is the craniofacial center at my university…

Craniofacial Center technology expands treatment possibilities at ‘exponential rate’

So, earlier tonight I started writing up what was to be a brilliant and thoughtful post here.  But the truth of the matter is, I’m still getting over a cold, and well, like most people I’m just not that brilliant or thoughtful with a stuffy head and lacking energy.  So here’s a nice picture I found of the common cold instead.It would seem that some researchers at Purdue created this computer-simulated model of the virus.  Yup, that’s the beast what ate this post.  Pretty cool image though.

It may seem silly, but it really does mean something when people are able to learn from, helped by, or inspired by  anything that I ever do.  That never ceases to amaze me.

Putting together some external ear labels for a preliminary anaplastology class that I am taking, so I thought I would share.  I wish I could credit the photographer here, but I came across the shot while searching for glandular tissue texture of all things, and have no idea who took it.  Just the same, it’s a great ear reference shot, don’t you all think?  So I’ve labeled it using Photoshop.  Anyway I hope this is helpful to someone more than just me.

So I’ve been toying with thoughts of new business cards.  The other day, in surgery, the doctors asked us if we had any to give out.  One said he had research to publish soon.  Neither of us had anything.  The day before, I went to the VA Hospital, to get to know it a bit and look into common patient needs over there.  I got the same question then.

So last night I pulled out my old cards.  They all reflect my time in Los Angeles.  They reflect my skills as a photographer, and as a video editor, for a time I had some that I made to represent me as a painter, but nothing of the last year and a half.  So I made a few of these for the time being, until I get something printed up professionally.

There are a lot of strategies one can apply to the design of a business card.  You can make something flashy, and eye catching.  Others feel that a more subtle understated approach shows more class.  There is the issue of how much contact information one wants to give, after all these are intended to be handed out to near strangers, right?  And as an artist, I think it’s nice to give some impression of what you do.  Titles are nice if your work falls simply under one job title, but you don’t want to over define yourself if your skills involve more flexibility.  I think the above design will serve me well enough for the time being.

Yesterday morning I did my first surgical observation.  The four of us taking Animation II this semester decided to go in and witness first hand a cataract surgery in preparation for the animation we are creating.  It was pretty amazing.  There was a lot of prep and making sure that everything was in order.  The patient was nerve blocked, but fully conscious the entire time.  I couldn’t help wondering what that all could possibly have looked like from his perspective.  All in all, I think the surgery went on about an hour.  They used a Leica system for viewing.  I had the opportunity to look through the lens myself, and you can really see just amazing detail through the microscope.  After the lens was emulsified, vacuumed out, and replaced, they used tiny stitches to close the incisions, and wrapped the eye in gauze.  When they were done, the patient just said “thank you” and they wheeled him out.  We wanted to ask the patient about his experience, but he was taken away too quickly.  So last night I called my grandmother, who has been through the same surgery herself.  In her case, she said she was given some kind of sedative, though she was awake.  As for her view of the procedure while being worked on, she described it as mostly a blur of twinkling lights.  I can’t say as I’m anxious to be the one on the table any time soon, but it was fascinating to witness surgery from the OR like that.

*image is taken from Karkhanis Super Specialty Hospital

So it would seem that the new semester has landed.  This time the focus falls back to animation, to my project research, anaplastology, and to pathophisiology.  The animation focus will have me working in 3DsMax again, as well as taking in some time in Z Brush.  The anaplastology work I’m looking at will involve a good refresher in sculpting with wax, and mold making for prosthetics.  Pathophisiology will no doubt turn me into a complete hypochondriac.  My project research should have me witnessing surgery first hand for the first time.  All in all it should be an interesting semester.

Today I found myself seated next to someone who works with the TED conferences on a plane.  TED has for a long time now held a special place in my heart.  There are so very many fascinating presentations happening there.  But I think I am most partial to the conferences for being a force of cross pollination of ideas amongst fields.  This is a concept that so often gets lost amongst varying specializations.  But the truly innovative and groundbreaking work being done in any field always seems to come back to inspiration from an outside source.  Even in our personal lives, it is so often when we lay our thoughts down for a bit and let our minds travel to other matters that we come up with our most inspired solutions and innovations.

If you haven’t visited the TED site before, I recommend you take a look now…
http://www.ted.com/

And if you find yourself stuck in a rut with whatever you may be doing, I recommend taking even just half an hour to change the scene, read about something completely different, change settings, talk to someone with insights different than your own.  In short, take in new information.  It might just do you some good.

Recently I found myself thinking about the artist, Alex Grey. His work comes across to me as an elaborate combination of anatomy, spirituality, and psychadelic design. You’ve probably encountered his work yourself, weather or not you were aware of it at the time. He has been featured on the album covers of several bands, he’s been all over various magazine publications, and if you’ve spent time in New York, you may have even found his Chapel of Sacred Mirrors gallery.

Sometimes when I look at his work I am inspired by how much creativity and expression he has managed to combine with his anatomical knowledge to create the art he does. Sometimes I see his success as a comforting sign that such work can be and is so appreciated in it’s own right. Sometimes when I look at it, I am more critical, and find myself wondering if someone could really learn much about anatomy or medical principles from his images. Such thoughts almost always cycle back into thoughts of what is it that makes an image important anyways. Sometimes I see his intensity, and attention to detail. Other times can’t help but smirk and think “silly hippie” But all boiled down it is very clear that this is a man who has honed his craft to create some beautiful images, who has honed his work into a clearly identifiable voice, who has taken the time to truly understand human form inside and out, and still strives to express his visions of humankind and the universe at large.

It is always a pleasure to find an artist who means it, and who has put some real time into their craft. So I leave you with his image “Wonder”, and the man himself.