Space, Science & Art

SPACE, SCIENCE & ART

This week’s lecture and reading focused on space, the final frontier, which Vesna refers as the “place where it all comes together” which is fitting since it is our last unit.

Professor Vesna begins with the history of space and space travel beginning with Copernicus and his heliocentric concept of the solar system. His impact on the history of the understanding of space was very significant. The next major phase of discovery was Galileo’s Telescope. Although it was not until after World War II, that contemporary space exploration actually began and was achieved. With the focus of the cold war being the arms race, competition in space exploration became imminent among countries. The Soviet Unions’ launch of Sputnick had a huge impact on the idea of space travel and created a great amount of paranoia around
around the world. The space race greatly impacted the education system and increased math and science programing.

The Russians were the first to send a living being into space to test the physical or physiological impacts that might occur - a dog, Leica. She died after 6 day in the trip because of the batteries controlling her life support system that failed. The first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, landed July 20th 1969. A number of people were in space and circled the earth prior to this. Numerous space shuttle disasters occurred following this.

While traditionally space research and travel is seen as science, we can change our perspective view it through the lens of art and design. Because much of space is still a mystery and unknown to us to this day, it is up to the artists to use their imagination and take free reign to dream up plans of what civilization might look like on the moon, or what extraterrestrial life may resemble. Space has no restrictions or rules. Any dream or fantasy is off limits. Rules of physics, scale, or time do not exist.

Wall-E , one of the many movies inspired by space exploration

The mystery and availability for creativity of space has inspired numerous films, shows, art works, media and more over the years. Including, Men In Black, Pixar’s Wall-E, Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, paintings by Chesley Bonestell, Tomorrowland in Disneyland , Spielberg’s E.T., etc.

Chris Hadfield - photo from a YouTube video he filmed from space

Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut who now serves as the Commander of the International Space Station, shares photographs of his travels throughout space. He published a photography book of these images called “You Are Here – Around the World in 92 Minutes”. He also post on various social media channels including his YouTube channel where he posts videos.

One of Thomas Ruff's photograph of space from the NASA website

Thomas Ruff, a photographer, took photographs from the NASA website of satellite imagery and created works of art and even 3D printed some of them. They are perfect examples of the blend and crossover between science and art when it comes to space.

Overall, space is probably the best example of the opportunity for the blending of art and science simply because there is so much mystery and unknown that is assciated with space. Therefore there are no rule to be followed which allows for countless possibilities and imagination.

CITATIONS

"Where Art And Space Travel Meet: Why Is The Art World Suddenly So Captivated By The Cosmos?" Creators. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 2017.

Thomas Ruff - March 8 - April 21, 2012 - Images - Gagosian. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 2017.

Vesna, Victoria. "Week 9: Space and Art." UCLA. Lecture. Web.

Staff, SPACE.com. "Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Amazing Photos of Earth From Space." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 2017.

Kennedy, Randy. "When the Space Age Blasted Off, Pop Culture Followed." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Sept. 2007. Web. 03 June 2017.