Dr. Carin Berkowitz’s talk discussed the interdisciplinary nature of the human body as it pertains in art and the science of anatomy. She thoroughly analyzed Charles Bell’s work in an attempt to argue that the human body is a visual and experienced art form above all else. In doing so, Dr. Berkowitz gave elaborate examples of Bell’s historic artwork being compared to contemporary works to show how the human form has adapted in the ways it is shown through art. The human body presents a platform for, arguably the most authentic form, of what is known to be “Nature”. She discussed the ways in which the body is scientifically and critically manipulated to either support or refute this comparison. Due to its “inherent beauty” and normative symmetry (from the exterior), the body is loved by artists and scientists alike.
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