Event 3: LASER Pigeon art talk by Aaron Blaisdell and Andrew

 Event 3: LASER Pigeon art talk by Aaron Blaisdell and Andrew 


A few weeks ago I attended a very interesting and odd-centered talk. 

The art presentation began with Blaisdell talking of the significance of pigeons in human culture. He explained they genetically were very similar to doves and one of the most represented birds in art and history. Pigeons were famously news and messenger birds, some important achievements include breaking the news of the defeat of Napoleon and the first Olympics results.  Aaron had learned Darwin had pigeons and found them interesting as well, Blaisdell began to do behavioral tests and train the birds to be able to create. He would feed them and give them free time in which they could express themselves and create.  To many their art may seem random but Blaisdell introduced data as to why pigeons are being intentional with their movements and how they can demonstrate animal consciousness. Their art resembled windows and incorporated various colors and shapes to catch the attention of the viewer. Although no art that astounded me it was a very impressive feat nonetheless.

In all the event was quite fun and interesting although the questions were all aimed at questioning his techniques and the correlation between the feeder screen tests and the free allowance of the screen for art which I didn't appreciate. But I think he enjoyed the crowd nonetheless. There was an additional presenter Andrew, who was quite interesting as well giving a practical insight into pigeons and african pouch mice or animals of some sort. He was using them along with technology to detect mines and tuberculosis. It is one of my favorite academic events I have been to at my time here at UCLA.



References:


Image 2: Blaisdell, A. (2023a, June 2). Pigeons make stained glass art. Medium. https://medium.com/@aaronblaisdell/pigeons-make-stained-glass-art-3b7db588dfd9 


Pigeons. Darwin. (n.d.). https://darwin200.christs.cam.ac.uk/pigeons 

Nwozor, A., Okolie, C., Okidu, O., & Oshewolo, S. (2020, August 6). The looming dangers of explosion in community transmissions of covid-19 in Nigeria. Annals of global health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7413142/ 

Allen, C., & Trestman, M. (2016, October 24). Animal consciousness. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consciousness-animal/ 

“‘pigeon Art Studio’ - Professor Aaron Blaisdell’s Exhibition at UCLA CNSI ARTSCI Gallery.” “Pigeon Art Studio” - Professor Aaron Blaisdell’s Exhibition at UCLA CNSI ARTSCI Gallery | UCLA Art | Sci Center + Lab, artsci.ucla.edu/node/1733. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

Blaisdell, Aaron. “Pigeon Art at the Hive Gallery.” Medium, Medium, 18 Dec. 2023, medium.com/@aaronblaisdell/pigeon-art-at-the-hive-gallery-e10fc919794e. 



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