Chapter nine, Scientific Looking, Looking at Science, was very interesting. Seeing art from a scientific point of view is something I’ve never thought about people. This chapter was about the relationship between culture, science, and media. As new technologies were developed, such as X-rays, CAT scanning, ultrasounds, ad MRIs, there was a shift in the visual aspect as well. Before these technologies, the only way of seeing into a human body, was “through the study of cadavers” (pg 344). The book also talks about the “Body Worlds” exhibition, a “collection of preserved human cadavers” (pg 347) that have been shown in exhibitions worldwide. This exhibition was created to show the inside of the human body to all of society.
The section of the chapter that I found most interesting was the Digital Body. Focusing specifically on digital morphing, I found it incredible how it has changed the outlook on humanity. It allowed for “statements about universal humanity and the blending together of races (pg 367). Michael Jackson used digital morphing in one of his music videos. This allows society to take a step back and recognize that we are all humans and the same on the inside, no matter our physical appearance on the outside.
The picture I chose to represent this chapter was the board game, Operation. As I was reading about the “wound man” (pg 341), it reminded me of this game. They are similar because the “wound man” was a map of the typical battle wound locations, and the operation man also showed a map of a man with multiple wounds. Both men act as scientific and medical symbols. The “wound men” for doctors to quickly identify typical war injuries, and the operation man allows future surgeons to practice their eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.