Week 4: MedTech + Art

Think about medicine for a second. What comes to mind? Hospital? Ambulance? Doctor, perhaps? Whatever you thought of first was undoubtedly not related to art. Thus, it was shocking to learn that thousands of years ago, art and medicine were nearly indistinguishable disciplines.

Since ancient times, humans have been dissecting bodies as part of a larger artistic performance (Vesna). The ancient Egyptians, for example, were pioneers in art and medicine and integrated their anatomical knowledge and mythological stories into art. Among these works includes the infamous eye of Horus, otherwise known as “The Third Eye”. While it remains one of the most baffling secrets of ancient human history, one established interpretation of the symbol is anatomical. The eye itself comes in parts and when superimposed over a mid-sagittal image of the human brain, each component corresponds to human neuroanatomical features (ReFaey).

Figure 1. The Eye of Horus Fitted in the Mid-Sagittal Section of the Human Brain, 2019.

The Egyptians didn’t stop there. They also had a ritual to ensure that mummified individuals would make it to the afterlife. In particular, the bodies would undergo a meticulous process of drying and embalming for preservation purposes. This process was later perfected into an art somewhat reminiscent of today’s plastic surgery, which is evident in the Getty Museum’s Egyptian Exhibit. In fact, the present-day French artist, Orlan, has more directly incorporated this relationship between art and medicine via plastic surgery. Since 1990, she underwent several surgical procedures to transform herself into a new entity that builds upon historical figures of art such as the Mona Lisa (Abbott).


Figure 2. Saint Orlan's Reincarnation

As technology has advanced, so has its part in the intertwine between art and medicine. To illustrate this, look no further than your own television! Indeed, television shows such as House, The Good Doctor and even your usual medical documentaries have been crucial in showcasing the mysteries of medicine in quite the dramatic fashion. In essence, the art of filmmaking through modern editing technology has allowed us to better understand medical procedures. As an example, consider my parents; with my parents being doctors, I have witnessed firsthand their use of animated videos for CPR training, data visualization, as well as the hundreds of images showcasing anatomy in various eBooks.

Figure 3. CPR in Action, 2021.

As an end to this week’s content, I would like to recognize the subtle yet very important relationship between art, medicine, and technology. For I have realized that without one, the others cannot progress, and neither can we.

Works Cited

Action First Aid. "CPR in Action | A 3D Look inside the Body". Youtube, uploaded by Action First Aid, 3 Sept. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUaxt8OlT3o.

Abbott, Wynn. “Feature: Medical Interventions—Visual Art Meets Medical Technology.” The Lancet, vol. 368, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69910-8.

Hajar, Rachel. “What Has Art to Do with Medicine?” Heart Views, vol. 19, no. 1, 2018, p. 34., https://doi.org/10.4103/heartviews.heartviews_6_18.

Hubard, Olga M. “Complete Engagement: Embodied Response in Art Museum Education.” Art Education, vol. 60, no. 6, 2007, pp. 46–56., https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2007.11651133.

Minissale, Gregory. The Psychology of Contemporary Art. Cambridge University Press, 2013.

ReFaey, Karim, et al. “The Eye of Horus: The Connection between Art, Medicine, and Mythology in Ancient Egypt.” Cureus, 2019, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4731.

Sawe, Benjamin Elisha. “The Science And Art Of Mummification: How Did Ancient Egyptians Preserve Their Dead?” WorldAtlas, 25 Apr. 2017, https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-science-and-art-of-mummification-how-did-ancient-egyptians-preserve-their-dead.html#:~:text=After%20a%20period%20of%20experimental,became%20affordable%20to%20the%20masses.

Vesna, Victoria. "Medicine pt1." Lecture. Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk.

Willson, Suzy. “What Can the Arts Bring to Medical Training?” The Lancet, vol. 368, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69909-1.

Zucker, Adam. "Saint Orlan's Reincarnation". 27 Apr. 2018, chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/http://lionelcruet.com/doc/embodied_learning_makes.pdf. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.


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