30 Nov 2011

Chronic Pain: Collaborations among Artists, Scientists & Healthcare Experts, UCLA Art|Sci Gallery

Art|Sci Gallery, UCLA: Artist in Residence: Diane Gromala

Why is a form of media technology -- immersive VR -- known as a 'non-pharmacological analgesic'? Can a robot reduce anxiety? How might novel forms of social media combat the social isolation experienced by seniors who have chronic pain? What do Sufi practices and phosphorescent creatures have to do with pain?

Members of the Transforming Pain Research Group comprise artists, musicians, computer scientists, engineers, designers, psychophysicists and pain physicians. All are exploring the ways that new technologies may help the 1 in 5 people who suffer from chronic pain. Referred to as the silent epidemic, this relatively new disease has no known cause and no cure. While health care researchers explore its etiology, experts from diverse disciplines are working on ways to help with managing chronic pain. See what a group of innovative researchers north of the border are doing.

Works include technologies ranging from robotics, social media, immersive VR, non-traditional immersive projection spaces, biotechnology and theoretical work by new media theorist Andrea Zeffiro, PhD.