The split into two cultures of art and science has been seen
physically as the campus of UCLA. While
walking through the campus you must make a decision on where your future lies
as a student. Either you choose to go
south, and become a part of the science culture, or you go north and become
part of the arts culture. C.P. Snow
speaks of this separation of society and it is physically shown within the
geographic distribution upon the UCLA campus.
 |
| North Campus,
http://guesthouse.ucla.edu/location.php
|
The northern campus is seen as the artistic, idealist, and free part of
the campus and the landscape suggests the same claims. There are many sculptures that have
open-ended meanings and views along with plenty of trees and swirling
paths. On the other hand, the south
campus has much more geometric patterns to its structure. There are more straight paths and symmetry
that relates to the factual, methodical views of science. The separation leads to misunderstanding of
the other culture, and assumptions are made out of lack of knowledge, as also
stated by C.P. Snow.
 |
| South Campus,
http://www.ust.ucla.edu/ustweb/Projects/PROJECTS/ucla/SCSC_01_big.jpg
|
The future of the two cultures is in the motion of mixing
though for a third class. There is
gaining motive for artists to want to venture into the world of science to get
ideas and expand their works into a more modern world. (Wilson) With
technological advances and science development increasing, the 21st
century is going to need artists who can depict the science innovation within
the scheme of arts.
 |
| Window, http://dartmed.dartmouth.edu/spring11/html/art_of_medicine.php |
Coming from
a farming family, my parents grew up in a simpler culture and Now with my experiences at
UCLA, it is easy to see the difference between the cultures of cities and
countryside, or rural and urban. It is
interesting to see how the quick moving atmosphere of the 21st
century can be captured by the Western pastime of arts and literature.
raised me with
the same family values and characteristics that are a part of the country
culture.
References
Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.
"UCLA South Campus." Photograph. 2011. <http://www.ust.ucla.edu/ustweb/Projects/PROJECTS/ucla/SCSC_01_big.jpg>.
"Murphy Sculpture Garden at UCLA." Photograph. 2013. <http://guesthouse.ucla.edu/location.php>.
"Window." Photograph. Dartmouth Medicine. 2011. <http://dartmed.dartmouth.edu/spring11/html/art_of_medicine.php>.
Wilson, Stephen. "Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology." Reading. 2000. NYC. Print.
I never noticed how different north and south campus were in relation to the geometry of the foot paths. Both campuses really are designed to fit their corresponding fields. However, I believe UCLA has done very well in making both campuses feel connected. Walking from an economics class in north campus to a biology class in south campus, I have never felt like I was changing territory. Maybe UCLA as a whole can be seen as a "third culture" in that it embodies both art and science. How do you think artists will incorporate scientific innovation into art and utilize modern technology?
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that the separation of the two campuses in a way alienates those majors that can be considered both north and south campus majors (i.e. psychology, anthropology)? I have seen that people with a mixed background of science and art can sometimes feel that they do not truly belong in either category completely. How can we better create this mindset to where people do not feel the need to classify themselves as a north or south campus major?
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I find it interesting how even the people who live in south campus say that north campus is more pretty. Even if there is this disconnect between the two cultures, its fairly clear that both still seem think that the one is more 'beautiful' than the other. It might be engineers acknowledging the 'normal' ideas of beauty, (rolling hills, etc), but it might say something more central about the cultural ideas that are common to all humans, rather than any one culture.
ReplyDelete