The topic of neuroscience is complex, and its connections to the world of art are fascinating.  When beginning the lecture for this week's topic I was unsure how neuroscience would connect to art, when I think of neuroscience I think of a strictly scientific subject.  This week's lectures and resources opened my eyes to the connection between neuroscience and art.  One specific topic that stuck out to me is the Brainbow system.  This was described in Professor Vesna's lecture as the process by which individual neurons can be distinguished from one another using a fluorescent protein (Vesna).  Some images associated with this Brainbow technique are displayed below, they are quite beautiful.

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This system is discussed in the article "Neuroculture" by Frazzetto and Anker.  The Brainbow system is described in this article very well, stating it is, "a sophisticated transgenic technique, provided extraordinary picture of neuronal circuitry, rivalling artistic representations" (Frazzetto and Anker 817).  This goes to show the fascination that people have with the brain and its unique structures.  However, while the Brainbow system may appear as a piece of artwork, it is extremely useful in science and the medical field as well.  The Brainbow system is utilized to figure out how the brain works.  It is thought that this new technology will be useful in diagnosing and treating brain disorders (Waugh).  This has completely changed the way in which we think about the brain, and given us a much better understanding of its mechanics.  It used to be thought that the brain was just a bundle of tangled wires, but it is now known that it is more of an interwoven system of fibers that cross at right-angles (Wough). 

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Along with providing very valuable medical information, Brainbow is enjoyed by many as aesthetically pleasing pieces of artwork.  Through my research on this topic I discovered many different places in which Brainbow was utilized for art.  This photography work below is being sold online for $400.

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Here is another description of the Brainbow method combined with some beautiful photographs, in my opinion this video is a perfect example of the conjunction of these two disciplines.  

Image Links:

[1]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/04/article-2154368-13710595000005DC-283_634x455.jpg 

[2]http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IZCZV5-v3S4/maxresdefault.jpg

[3]http://25.media.tumblr.com/6b968eefe73542a8fb86c857394c7259/tumblr_mkhbcuL0Fy1r2m36ko1_1280.jpg

[4]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2154368/Somewhere-brainbow-New-3D-maps-brain-will.html

[5]http://www.gregadunn.com/product/brainbow-hippocampus-white-print/

Works Cited:
-"Brainbow." Center for Brain Science. Center for Brain Science. Web. 17 May 2015. 

-Drinker, Will. "Brainbow Hippocampus." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 21 March 2014. Web. 17 May 2015. 

-Frazzetto, Giovanni and and Suzanne Anker. "Neuroculture." Science and Society 10 (2009): 815-21. Print. 

-Vesna, Victoria. "Lecture 1." UCLA. Web. 17 May 2015. 

-Waugh, Rob. "Land of Dreams: Harvard scientists map most complicated terrain in the universe - the inside of the brain." DailyMail.com: Science and Tech. DailyMail.com, 5 June 2012. Web. 17 May 2105.