On the bottom floor of the busy Calit2 building, a group of artists has developed "Particles of Interest," a new-media interactive art installation to draw attention to the growing use of nanoparticles -- tiny particles on the scale of the nanometer, or billionth of a meter. Nanoparticles are being used to improve a wide and growing range of everyday products, such as beer bottles that are less likely to break, coating in glass that makes it easier to clean, improved water filtration systems, pants that liquid rolls right off of and stronger tennis rackets. Refined versions of the tiny particles are found in several brands of lipstick and sunscreens, and Hugo Boss is a fan of using them in his suits.
Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field at the crux of scientific research and corporate investment, but many in the field believe more research into the possible health implications of nano-products is needed. It's possible that some particles manufactured at such tiny scales could prove harmful to human health if handled improperly. If inhaled, the tiny slivers of particles can move fast and deeply penetrate and clog the lungs, heart and other body parts.
The artists behind the peculiar exhibit aren't huge nano-fans. They're trying to raise awareness of what they consider a lack of regulation of nanoparticles in consumer goods and "particle capitalism" -- a future economy that could be strictly driven by nanotechnology.
"We
want to get people to ask the big questions without bashing them over
the head," said Ricardo Dominguez, a visual arts professor at UCSD and
member of "particle group," a collective of artists, researchers and
computer engineers that created the installation. "We don't want to be
overly didactic and propagandistic."
Dominguez said he wants to
provoke questions about the nature of scientific research.
Patent-driven science, which results in consumer products, could shirk
scientific responsibility in favor of profit, he said.