分子美學空間中的分子結構

Abstract

分子是化學中具物質意義的最小單位，自古至今，科學家們持續在尋找分子結構的更貼切表達方式，從平面結構式、實體的分子模型到3D立體影像。2013年諾貝爾化學獎頒給對分子結構模擬有貢獻的科學家，說明分子科學在人類歷史及生活上的重要性。目前科學家不僅能利用理論參數建立逼真的分子結構，並能夠模擬分子的運動狀態進行研究，將原本看不見的分子運作以更生動的方式展現在世人眼前，進而讓人類看見更多原本看不到的可能。

1951年英國舉行以科學為主要主題、創作內容涵蓋平面圖像設計及公共藝術等個種藝術形式的「英國國家藝術節」，「分子結構」就是藝術家創作的重要主題；一甲子之後於2011年，德國舉辦「分子美學論壇」，廣邀當代對分子及其美學發展有深入研究或創作的重量級學者、科學家、藝術家，發表論文與創作。分子結構不僅是科學家研究的對象，也逐漸成為藝術家的創作靈感，媒介從平面、立體、電腦動畫、乃至3D列印，範圍則包含美術、設計、雕塑、公共藝術、多媒體、行動藝術、音樂、舞蹈、動畫、電影等。這些跨界交流所產生的效應，對藝術與科學均帶來絕佳的新意義，而以分子結構為靈感所產出的藝術創作也讓「分子美學」的研究因應而生。面對這個新興的藝術科學研究領域，許多研究者從科學、哲學、美學的角度來探討與分子科學、分子結構、分子數學等相關的美學問題。本論文則從設計與藝術創作的角度出發進行研究，並提出一個「分子結構 + 美學思維 ＝ 分子美學空間」的雙向創作觀念：

一、從分子結構到美學思維所形成的分子美學空間，是屬於美學的思維空間。 二、從美學思維到分子結構所形成的分子美學空間，則是藝術創作的實驗空間。

本研究一方面根據以科學知識為基礎的分子結構，進行各種不同的創作實驗來探索分子結構在藝術與設計創作上新的可能性，另一方面以美學思維為基礎，創作非科學性的藝術分子結構，作為藝術設計表現的新媒介，分子結構、美學思維、分子美學空間三者最後構成一個嶄新的創作符號三角形。Molecules are the smallest units of matter that retain the characteristic properties of a substance. Scientists of all time have been seeking the most explicit way to depict the molecular structures, using the methods such as graphic formula, real models, three-dimensional images, etc. Recently, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 was awarded jointly to the scientists for their contribution to the development of molecular models. This indicates the importance of the molecular science in human life and history. Nowadays, scientists not only can use variables to build lifelike molecular structures, but also can mimic the motion of molecules. All these developments bring to life the invisible motion inside molecules and thus lead to more visual possibilities that were unseen to human beings.

In 1951, the“Festival of Britain”was held throughout the United Kingdom, with a major theme on science which brought molecular structures to artists’ attention. The Festival displayed works that covered the genres from graphic design to public arts. Sixty years later in 2011, “Molecular Aesthetics Symposium”took place in Germany where prominent scholars, scientists, and artists around the world assembled for paper presentation and art works exhibition. Molecular structures became not only a subject for scientists but also the inspiration for artists. Employing techniques such as graphics, three-dimension, computer animation, and 3D printing, artists created works of fine arts, design, sculpture, public arts, multi-media, action arts, music, dance, animation, and film. To both arts and science, this cross-border communication fostered a new definition for aesthetics. Consequently the term“molecular aesthetics”emerged. Upon encountering this emerging new subject, numerous researchers have started to study molecular science, molecular structures, and molecular mathematics, from different angles in science, philosophy and aesthetics. This dissertation aims to contribute to this field of study from the perspectives of design and art works. Meanwhile, it proposes a two-way art creation concept -“Molecular Structures + Aesthetic Thinking = the Space of Molecular Aesthetics.”

1. From molecular structures to aesthetic thinking to form the space for aesthetic thinking. 2. From aesthetic thinking to molecular structures to form the space for art creation.

This study, on one hand, explores the new possibilities of creating art works based on the scientific molecular structures. On the other hand, it makes use of non-scientific artistic molecular structures as a new media to create art works and designs, based on aesthetic thinking. Thus an intergral triangle linking molecular structures, aesthetic thinking, and space of molecular aesthetics is formed as a new interaction for art creation.