Week 9 -- Space + Art

            Space and Art are both exciting fields that push the bounds of human intelligence and creativity. Both require thinkers who are able to experiment with the unknown to bring to light amazing new creations both in space and art. We can see these crossroads in the Leonardo Space Art Project that aims to bring together artists, engineers, and scientists all interested in space projects for them to exchange ideas and resources (Leonardo).

The Fountains of Paradise

As learned from lecture, some ideas that we are experimenting with in space originated from artistic mediums. For example, the idea of a space elevator originally stemmed from Arthur C. Clarke’s novel, The Fountains of Paradise. This was merely a science fiction work, however has sparked interest in actually creating a space elevator made out of carbon nanotubes to help create easier access to space (Vesna). Art has been able to influence space, however this is not a one-sided relationship.

Apollo 13

From space exploration stemmed new artistic works including the movie, Apollo 13 based on the craft that exploded due to a burst in the oxygen tanks. This work of art brought the public closer to the incident and portrayed the feeling and helplessness of the astronauts in space (Apollo).

Ever since our exploration in space, technological tools to explore this space have been developing at a more rapid pace and have become more easily accessible to the public and artists. New technologies such as time lapse webcams and super pressure balloons are putting more cameras into space and gaining more knowledge as to what is entailed in this vast space (Technology). A field of ‘space art’ has been created with breathtaking scenes of the galaxy and planets that I will embed below. Space Art. These artworks are breathtaking in the sense that we can only see these images through the use of powerful telescopes and artistic renderings. They cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Picture of Space

            In a sense, art is our only eye in space and the two work in conjunction to reveal the mysteries of the world and the galaxy beyond it.

References

"Apollo 13." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.

"Leonardo Space Art Project." Leonardo Space Art Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.

"Space-Art.Co.Uk - The Art of Mark A. Garlick." Space-Art.Co.Uk - The Art of Mark A. Garlick. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.

"Technology Drives Exploration." NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. Space and Art Lecture. Web. 24 May 2016.