Art + Human Body & Medicine

This week we focused on how art can impact modern medicine. The Flemish anatomist Andreas Vesalius is credited as the first person to accurately describe the internal structures of the human body. His book De humani corporis fabrica (On the Fabric of the Human Body) greatly influenced modern medicine, including many current occupations. For example, a job that requires a combination of art, medicine, and technology is a medical illustrator. These highly skilled artists work closely with medical professionals to create 3-D models, drawings and animations of human body parts. These illustrations are used in medical textbooks, training videos, films, and pamphlets for patients. These graphics have helped expand the medical information available to the public and helps educate medical students.

A medical illustrator sketches during a surgery.

Another popular practice in today's society is plastic surgery, which began 4,000 years ago in India. It became popular in America during WWI, when it was used to fix facial injuries of the soldiers. When doing some research on plastic surgery, I was intrigued when I learned that shatterproof windshields exist due to the efforts of plastic surgeons, who were concerned about the high rates of facial abnormalities after car accidents. By meeting with representatives from the automobile industry, physicians helped improve the design and safety of cars. 

Today, many people without medical problems choose to get plastic surgery to help them enhance their features or change a part of their body that they do not like. Some people may have unrealistic expectations and have surgery in order to look like celebrities.

Kim Kardashian is an example of a celebrity who has had some work done to her face.

The French performance artist Orlan uses plastic surgery to challenge society's beauty standards. During her filmed surgeries, poetry and philosophical texts are read. She strives to get people to engage in a debate about the ethical dilemmas posed by modifying the body using modern technology and medicine.

Here is Orlan during one of her performances.

Some people may have a negative view of plastic surgery because they tend to associate it with those who are trying to conform to society's beauty standards. However, I think it is important to remember that it is also used to help those with conditions such as cleft palates, burns, and for reconstruction of the breasts after a mastectomy.

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"Richmond Man’s Contribution to Medical Research Could Change Lives." WRIC. ABC, 16 July 2014. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://wric.com/2014/07/16/richmond-mans-contribution-to-medical-research-could-change-lives/#.U8cx-5J6yOw.facebook>.

"TheCount.com." TheCount. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://thecount.com/2013/03/11/kim-kardashians-bloody-facial/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine+Technology+Art Lectures." Desma 9. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=6472150>.