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Meredith Brice, Copland, "[in]visible art: conspicuous making in an age of nano textiles." Masters Research - Master of Philosophy [MPhil] Fine Art
, University of Newcastle, 2017
Keywords/Fields of Study : art and science; nano textiles
Abstract: This exegesis and studio praxis explores artistic responses to changes taking place in science and society due to the nanotech revolution. More specifically, it explores these revolutionary changes artistically and philosophically through the perspective of nanotech/technical textiles. The author's research asserts that nano textiles and wearable apparel are intelligent 'second skins' that transform our understanding of how 'smart' technologies merge with nature and environment to produce particular affects.
The catalyst for this research was an interest in creating speculative material approaches to exploring spaces in-between, across and beyond established art science divides with a view to producing art based upon re-tooling nanotech textiles. To this end, this thesis analyses the role of artists as agents of transformation, sustainability and innovation beyond the utilitarian expectations of design practice.
Underpinning this research is the premise that exemplary artistic projects can speculatively reflect upon the world of nano science in a manner that is discursive, collaborative, transdisciplinary, imaginative, and serendipitous. Significantly, this imaginative realm is free from valuation based upon scientific measurement. By extension, this project proposes that artists are meaningfully responding to substantial shifts in perspective availed by invisible structures of materiality at molecular, atomic and subatomic scales. Accordingly, the studio-based component of this thesis reflects both materially and speculatively upon new 'active' and highly-functional fibres and textiles manifest in a space in-between, across and beyond art and emerging science and new textile technologies.
Department: School of Creative Arts, Faculty of Education and Arts
, University of Newcastle
Advisor(s): Andre Brodyk, Sean Lowry
