Mona Lisa Comprised of Electronic Components - Source
I think we’re on the verge of the next artistic renaissance. This time, instead of magnificent architecture, beautifully painted portraits, and the rise of humanism, I think engineering (specifically electrical engineering) will begin to define exciting new forms of artistic expression. From Jeri Ellsworth’s PIR Art Project (a motion sensing, musical art installation), to Randy Elwin’s le dominoux (a new take on dominos and a 555 contest winner!), to my Sudosynth (a gesture-based music synthesizer), it’s clear that the overlap between electrical engineering and art can be sizeable. With the advent of simple microcontroller platforms like the arduino, it’s become easier than ever for artists to try their hands at electrical engineering (or vice versa). The New York Times recently had a great article about the usage of the arduino platform in museum and art exhibits: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/arts/design/arduinos-provide-interactive-exhibits-for-about-30.html.
Ok, so maybe I’m being a bit hasty to call it a renaissance, but I really do believe that the convergence of technology and art is going to completely transform the way we think about artistic expression. I certainly don’t think every engineer should go around changing the title on their business card from “engineering consultant” to “professional artist”, but I do think the line will blur, and that’s a good thing! I’ve seen first-hand all of the amazing things that can happen when artists, writers, and philosophers work with the geeks and the nerds; sometimes, the two become one-in-the-same. That ability to collaborate is lost on most people unfortunately – engineers tend to assume that they are the problem-solvers, and that working with people who have very different viewpoints will just convolute the end goal. This ability to collaborate with people who are so different from you is extremely important, and has the potential to lead to exciting new research in both the humanities and the sciences. When large groups with different areas of interest come together, the result is often far more exciting than one developed by a single person with expertise in just one area. One of my primary reasons for choosing to attend a large University like Cornell, as opposed to a smaller tech-only school, was that I figured I would get more opportunities to work with people who understood the world in a totally different way. I’ve taken advantage of the wealth of liberal arts courses available to engineers, and they have seriously changed my outlook on life (as this post should demonstrate). I’m hopeful that more schools will encourage engineers to expand their knowledge into areas where they wouldn’t normally feel comfortable.
Until two years ago, I had always assumed engineering was independent from all other disciplines – a lone occupation that focused on one thing: solving problems. And while problem solving is extremely important, it’s not the only thing engineers can do. I’ve had the opportunity to expand my personal definition of engineering as I’ve been able to work with more and more people across campus. In my time at college so far, I’ve collaborated on various engineering projects with Architects, Musicians, Urban Planners, Landscapers, Interior Designers, Business Majors, Economics Majors, Natural Resource Majors, Environmental Scientists, and many more. I can easily say that the artistically- driven engineering projects that I have done have been the most fun, and have taught me a tremendous amount.
What’s more, working with people who are more artistically inclined than I am (it doesn’t take much) has given me a new appreciation for the people who make music, craft sculptures, and design our homes. You don’t just become artistic overnight – It’s a highly honed skilled, just like engineering is. Engineering and art can be very powerful independently, but they can do something truly spectacular when you put them together.
So what’s my point? Form does not always have to follow function; allow yourself to pursue a functionally useless, but unique, project. Try working with somebody who knows nothing about engineering – You will both probably have a lot to teach each other. Who knows, you might be an artist and you never even knew it!
I almost forgot the most important part: when you do create your next masterpiece, put it online so the whole world can revel in the amazing things that art and engineering can do when they team up!
