week 9

Space art combines nearly all of what we have covered this quarter – nanotechnology, biotechnology, math, science and art. I think the history of how space exploration evolved is fascinating with all the controversy. The discoveries that were made were also earth-shattering and completely changed the way humans viewed our planet, our solar system and our universe. For example, Copernicus’ heliocentric model and the telescope led to millions of new discoveries.

I also thought that the role of science fiction novelists was interesting in the development of space exploration. It was fascinating to learn how some of the ideas the authors had in their books were taken by scientists and engineers and made a reality, like people on the moon. The way art, science and math worked together to create something we take for granted in our everyday life now and how it has changed our reality is pretty amazing.

I also thought the discussion of how Sputnik is like art was interesting because it was purposely made so shiny and bright that people from Earth could see it in the sky with their naked eye.

I also thought that the zero gravity performances in space were fascinating. The theater performance as well as the Cosmic Dancer, a geometric sculpture that floated around the Mir space station.

Cosmic Dancer

I also enjoyed the zero gravity art that didn’t take place in space, like Denis Darzacq’s floating people and Edith Dekyndt’s Ground Control which is a massive black helium balloon.

Floating People 

Ground Control 

Works Cited

Art of Citizen Space Exploration. "Cultural Center of European Space Technologies / KSEVT." Free Enterprise. Art of Citizen Space Exploration, 2015. Web. 28 May 2015.

Ford, Kathleen. "Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity Curated by Kathleen Forde : EMPAC Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center : Troy, NY USA." Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity Curated by Kathleen Forde : EMPAC Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center : Troy, NY USA. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2010. Web. 28 May 2015.

KSEVT. "Cultural Space Programme." KSEVT. KSEVT, n.d. Web. 28 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. "Space and Art." Space and Art. UCLA, Los Angeles. 28 May 2015. Lecture.

Woods, Arthur. "Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods." The Cosmic Dancer Project : Cosmic Dancer Photos : Arthur Woods. Arthur Woods, n.d. Web. 28 May 2015.