Space + Art

I have always seen the topic of space to be viewed most evidently through the use of art, but after learning of the different aspects of space science and art, I have learned that there is much more to how art represents space and how space inspires art. The most obvious way in which space and art relate to one another is said within the article, “Coded Utopia: Makrolab”.  The article states, “maps, images, films, diaries, programs, soundscapes, texts and streaming signals are artistic and scientific gifts - offered to other sites, other devices, other receivers, other possible futures” (Coded Utopia: Makrolab).  The article is based upon the creation of a project called Makrolab that was created by Marko Peljhan. The project was a “living laboratory” that would expand the way in which space scientists could discover more research about the universe. Another project that was founded by Marko Peljhan was the Arctic Perspective Initiative, which has a goal of spreading knowledge about the circumpolar region to the North and Arctic peoples through different technologies. I find this to be incredibly useful because it aims towards spreading more knowledge and understanding about the universe through the perspective of people who may not have all the resources as people in urban environments. 

(Photo: Makrolab in Australia)

Along with spreading more awareness and enlightenmentabout the universe to society, a group called The Leonardo Space Art Project Working Group aims towards promoting the wide variety of cultural dimensions for any sort of space activity. An artist from the group who I foundto be especially interesting was Arthur Woods because of his famous sculpture "Cosmic Dancer Sculpture". The sculpture promotes how the universe is seen from the perepespective of different cultures in that it teaches humanity about our existence and our environments creation. I findthe sculpture to be the best example for how artists are influencing the research about space exploration and its relation to cultures around the world.

(Photo: Arthur Woods' "Cosmic Dancer Sculpture")

A great collection of art pieces that I felt depicted the research of the universe and space in general is Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity. The art aims to depict the condition of weightlessness on earth with photos, sculptures, films, videos, etc. The artworks are very unique because they try to explain the power of gravity with the actual use of zero gravity. I find it very interesting to use the actual object or concept to explain itself, but since gravity is such a complicated concept to show visually to humanity, it can only be seen through how it affects the things we can actually see or know about.


(Photo: Zero Gravity is affecting the things in which we actually can see)

Works Cited
"ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE." ARCTIC PERSPECTIVE INITIATIVE. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 June 2017. <http://arcticperspective.org/>. 
"CODED UTOPIA." Continental Drift. N.p., 18 May 2009. Web. 4 June 2017. <https://brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/coded-utopia/>. 
"Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods." The Cosmic Dancer Sculpture - a Spaceart Intervention on the Mir Space Station by Arthur Woods. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 June 2017. <http://www.cosmicdancer.com/>. 
"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. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 June 2017. <http://zerogravity.empac.rpi.edu/>. 
Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 June 2017. <http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html>.

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