Week 1 : Where Art and Science Meet

'Art' and 'science' have been seen as two terms often separated with ideas that fall categorically. However, I believe the idea's behind 'art' and 'science' extend much further than a paint brush and easel or a scientist with test tubes in a lab. They are umbrella terms that cover massive idea's in our world. 

Victoria Vesna's (Vesna) paper “Toward a Third Culture,” introduces the idea of a third culture that encourages the idea of collaboration in the fields of science and art. I am on board with the idea's expressed by Vesna and see how 'Art' and 'Science' don't need to be separate  but a bridge should connect these previously seen separated ideas. C. P. Snow introduces the idea that 'art' and 'science' began to be separated in school curricula which supports the idea of what university are incorporating now. 

Being a freshman at UCLA under a pre psychology degree this covers fields in both science and the arts. I am passionate about both area's and don't feel people are or should be set on just one of these fields. Under my degree requirements related to science are specific to how the brain works but along with this is a more art side that relates to human connection and ways to help others. UCLA offers these classes well however a divide between north campus (humanities) and south campus (sciences) which naturally is creating this divide between these two subject areas. 

In modern day there is a growing need for both analytical thinking and having emotional intelligence - being able to connect with others. Having both skills from both areas is more important than being strong in just one area - increasing similar to art and science. 

This clear distinction in two categories I see is unnecessary - in life these platforms overlap without hesitation and I think it should be practiced the same. The picture shown below explains how the degree I am studying (psychology) is a mix of science - physically how the brain works as well as the art side - people communication. 

Olivia Hay

Sources: 

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121-125.

Snow, C P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. Cambridge University Press, 1959.

“UCLA Campus Colored Map.” Maps.ucla.edu, UCLA, maps.ucla.edu/downloads/pdf/UCLA_Campus_Colored_Map.pdf. 

"left brain vs right brain" https://www.verywellmind.com/left-brain-vs-right-brain-2795005 

"Weaving Together the Art and Science of Therapy" https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-well/201908/weaving-together-the-art-and-science-therapy