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| Personal project using sonification |
Growing up, the distinction between C.P. Snow’s two cultures of
literary intellectuals and scientists was made strong to me: one would either
have a creative mindset or a scientific one. When I came to UCLA, I found that
the distinction between the two cultures of art and science is still very much emphasized
both socially and geographically. UCLA’s north campus is separated from south
campus by Bruin Walk, and social groups differ greatly between the two. As an Aerospace Engineering major, I am deeply
rooted in UCLA’s south campus.
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| UCLA's North Campus vs South Campus |
However, it seems that the rift between the two may be beginning
to shrink, possibly due to the current state and necessary interaction of
artists and scientists. According to Stephen Wilson, “We are at an important
cusp as the arts try to figure out what to do with the realities of the 21
st
century.” For example, Bruin Spacecraft Group was founded this year, an
initiative which pushes to combine the talents of both artists and engineers. This
weekend, they participated in a nationally televised debate between UCLA and UC
Berkeley concerning issues of space policy. Bruin Space’s debaters had
backgrounds of both humanities and science, but came together to organize a debate
platform. In addition, the rift between North and South campus is ridiculed in
a popular Facebook page for UCLA students.
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| Logo design for Bruin Space |
Within my curriculum, I have very little opportunity to express an
artistic side, but I bring it out where I can. I work on graphic design for
multiple clubs as well as personal projects on the side. I look forward to
helping bridge the two, the necessity of which student organizations are
rapidly discovering.
REFERENCES:
Snow, C. P. “Two
Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP,
1961. Print.
Snow, C.P. The Two
Cultures: And a Second Look. N.p.: n.p., 1963. Print.
Wilson, Stephen. "Art and Research - Stephen Wilson."
Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology. N.p., 2000. Web.
Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.”
Leonardo 34.2 (2001): 121-25. Web.
As an electrical engineering major, I strongly relate to your comments. As I grew up, as much as I enjoyed math and science, I enjoyed drawing a lot. But as I got more involved with school projects and assignments, that passion slowly went away. It often disappoints me that I rarely get time to draw because of the intensive curriculum. It leaves very little room to take any art courses. I think it is really cool that you make time for graphic design and personal projects. That commitment to the arts is definitely a good way to bridge the strong divide that UCLA has between the arts and sciences. I am curious as to what kind of personal artistic projects you work on!
ReplyDeleteBruin Space Initiative sounds like a really unique opportunity. I feel like engineering, especially, does not allow for a wide range of cross-disciplinary experiences. Having a organization that allows you to incorporate art into engineering is incredibly important. Also, it is really amazing that not only did students see the need for collaboration between the humanities and sciences, but also addressed that need by starting an organization.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of art and science being separated was clearly visualized for me when you mentioned the divide of the two by Bruin Walk. The way that you mentioned the geographical aspects of UCLA and how UCLA further reiterates the separation of the two was very relatable.
ReplyDeleteRyan,
ReplyDeleteWhen reading through the Week 1 resources I didn't think to compare them to the distinct divergence within the UCLA campus. By applying Snow's argument to something more relatable I was able to further understand and implement this idea of "two cultures." I personally am intrigued by graphic design and think that is a perfect way to converge not only your own creative and scientific mindsets, but also of all other UCLA students including myself. Very interesting.