Nanotechnology, Nanoscale Science and Art

Guest Editors: Tom Rockwell and Tami I. Spector

Over the last decade, "nano" has become a buzzword signifying everything from imagined atomic-scale robotic utopias to small electronics. For scientists the shift toward nano has also become ubiquitous; what used to be referred to as molecular has been reframed as nano; 27 journals devoted to nanotech/nanoscience are now published; and the National Science Foundation and other granting agencies have devoted a significant amount of funding toward nanotech/nanoscience. Among engineers, scientists and science-studies scholars, discussions of the potential of nanotech/nanoscience abound, including conferences that debate the pros and cons of a nano-hegemony and attempt to debunk some of the hype. Artists, however, have only begun to explore this emergent scientific field, leaving it wide open for creative interpretation. With this special section of Leonardo, we hope to ignite artists' interest in the exploration of nanotech/nanoscience and encourage scientists, scholars and educators to contemplate the implications of an art-nanotech/nanoscience connection.

Leonardo, in collaboration with the Exploratorium under the auspices of the Nanotech Informal Science Education Network, will publish a series of special sections periodically over the next 5 years exploring the intersections of nanotech/science and art. We are especially seeking submissions of artworks (visual, performance, sound, etc.) with artist's statements explaining the relationship of the work to nanotech/science; essays from scientists, engineers and scholars exploring the connection between nanotech/science and art; and essays and visuals aiming at nanotech/science education that use the arts as a pedagogical tool.

Interested artists and authors are invited to send proposals, queries and/or manuscripts to the Leonardo editorial office at leonardomanuscripts@gmail.com.

Resources and Related Projects

The Leonardo Scientists Working Group (Tami Spector, Chair)

Nanotechnology and Art discussion on YASMIN Network (co-sponsored by Leonardo), moderated by piratas.de.la.ciencia

Nanotechnology Takes Off and Future of Nanosolar - two short films on nanotechnology from QUEST: KQED's Bay Area Science, Nature and Environment Series.