NanoArt is a new art discipline at the art-science-technology intersections. It features nanolandscapes (molecular and atomic landscapes which are natural structures of matter at molecular and atomic scales) and nanosculptures (structures created by scientists and artists by manipulating matter at molecular and atomic scales using chemical and physical processes). These structures are visualized with powerful research tools like scanning electron microscopes and atomic force microscopes and their scientific images are captured and further processed by using different artistic techniques to convert them into artworks showcased for large audiences. We can see some examples of scientist and nanoartist Cris Orfescu’s work.

To celebrate Obama’s victory in the race for the White House, Scientist John Hart created a remix of Shepard Fairey’s Obama poster from 150 million carbon nanotubes, each of which measured tens of thousands of times smaller than a human hair. The result is an interesting three dimensional image. The depth and three dimensions achieved in NanoArt sets this process of electron imaging apart from Photography where images are created by photons (particles of light) rather than by electrons (electrically charged particles). The electrons penetrate deeper in the structure creating images with more depth, more natural 3D-look than the photographic images

In November of this year the second international festival for nano-art took place in Stuttgart Germany. The organizers NanoArt21 say that “NanoArt is the expression of the New Technological Revolution raising the people awareness of Nanotechnology and its impact on our life”. The NanoArt21 site contains a slideshow of the winners from last year’s competition and offers the possibility to artists and scientists to enter this year’s competition. The site even offers images that artists can modify in order to enter.

The worldwide competition NanoArt 2008 is open to all artists 18 years and older. The online exhibition will open for public on January 20, 2009.