WEEK 1. TWO CULTURES

 “What specialization do you want to pursue?” - I was asked right after my 9th grade when students are usually divided into 2 separate classes - with the emphasis on humanity or science. As C.P. Snow explained in his essay that the reason why these two disciplines are divided is the educational system. Throughout my life I have been noticing this separation in everything school related. 

Being a math major student, I have spent most of my time in the southern part of UCLA not even trying to explore the northern part. Another example of separation is the restriction for most art classes to only art majors. I have always loved drawing and wanted to take a drawing class to improve my skills, but was not able to do so because of the restrictions. 

As John Brockman pointed out in his interview that the connection between the two cultures is achieved through artists interested in science. I do agree with that in a sense that there is an artist in all of us, as well as a scientist, for we are curious creatures by nature. 

It is clear that the gap between the two cultures becomes smaller due to the technology and digitalization of art. I personally am interested in combining science and art working on small video games with my husband. 

"Star Hunter" game created on Unity engine

I think this is a good representation of that bridge that Snow referred to. You need to think creatively about the colors and the environment you choose for your game, about the character’s appearance and the dialogues while being strategic and precise in coding every movement and interaction. 

Piece of code for "Star Hunter" 

However, I do not think that technology is the only thing that made the merging possible. I am also an aquarium hobbyist. I was inspired by the beautiful Zoanthids gardens in the reef aquariums. I had to do a lot of research on coral gardens: essential water parameters, nutrient presence in the system, nitrogen cycle and many more. What the audience usually sees is art leaving the science behind the scene. One cannot create and maintain those gorgeous pieces of art without going deeper into chemistry, biology, and oceanology.

Zoa garden https://saltwateraquarist.com/zoanthid-care/

Sources 

“Star Hunter by Alexander Voit.” Itch.io, https://bambooproduction.itch.io/star-hunter.

Elaine, et al. “Zoanthid Care Saltwateraquarist.com.” Saltwateraquarist.com, 15 Feb. 2019, https://saltwateraquarist.com/zoanthid-care/.

Graham-Rowe, Duncan. “John Brockman: Matchmaking with Science and Art.” WIRED UK, WIRED UK, 3 Feb. 2011, https://www.wired.co.uk/article/matchmaking-with-science-and-art.

Snow, C.P. The Two Cultures; and the Scientific Revolution. University Press, 1959.

Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, The MIT Press, 2001, pp. 121–25, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1577014.