Week 9: Space + Art
Space has long since
been a source of fascination and wonder for humans. Each new development of
technology has led to even more space exploration and a greater desire and
fascination to know more about this seemingly endless stretch of the unknown.
Historically, each new technology designed for space exploration has led to a
surge of interest in the field, and I expect this trend to continue as we
develop more technologies for space exploration and travel. The development of
the telescope in the 17th century fueled a new era of discoveries about the
universe, as did the development of space crafts, which allowed first animals,
then humans to travel into space.
The development of the telescope fueled a new era of discoveries about the universe.
In addition to these
real life discoveries and events, space and the universe has been a hugely
popular topic in pop culture as well. It has been the subject and setting of
many novels and television shows, most notably Star
Trek. Star Trek and other popular
television shows spurred on the public's interest in and has influenced our
thinking and attitudes towards space.
In addition to
novels and television shows, artists are also utilizing new technologies for
space travel and exploration as new mediums through which to display and create
their work. While some artists are using these technologies simply because they
can, others are using zero gravity and space discoveries as research and
content for their artwork.
Chelsey Bonestell's piece "Colony on Mars under plastic domes".
Chelsey Bonestell is
an artists that creates imaginings of space travel and explorations. One such
artwork, "Colony on Mars under plastic domes", explores and
visualizes the idea of humans living on Mars. Art pieces like this has helped
fuel this popular idea that humans could live on other planets in the future.
Other artwork, like "Collision II" by Richard Clar, visualize a
darker side to space exploration. In "Collision II", Clar tracked
over 10,000 orbit debris objects that are being tracked by the U.S. Space
Command. The multitude of colored dots surrounding the Earth paint a bleaker
picture of how space exploration has its dangers and has created this sphere of
debris covering our planet.
Richard Clar's piece "Collision II".
Clearly, as space
exploration continues to progress, the public's view and attitudes towards it
will become ever more important, and it will be important to examine both the
positive and negative consequences of space exploration. Artists, then, will
inevitably play a huge role in shaping the public's view of space exploration
in the future.
Sources
- 8 space pt1. Dir. Vesna, Victoria. YouTube. UC Online Program, 29 Jul. 2013. Web. 30 May. 2017.
- Space pt6. Dir. Vesna, Victoria. YouTube. UC Online Program, 20 May. 2012. Web. 30 May. 2017.
- Clar, Richard. "Collision II." Art Technologies. Space Art Technologies at Art Technologies, n.d. Web. 30 May 2017.
- Bonestell, Chelsey. "Colony on Mars under plastic domes, 1963." Chelsey Bonestell. Bonestell LLC, n.d. Web. 30 May 2017.
- Forde, Kathleen. "Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity." Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity. Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, n.d. Web. 30 May 2017.
Hello Sarah, I find that both Bonestell's and Clar's pieces are the epitome of bridging the gap between science and art. It's amazing how artists can be inspired by science and scientists can be inspired by art. As scientific discoveries continue, artists use that as fuel for their artwork. Additionally, as the variety of artwork relating to science expands, scientists may use that as a basis for their designs. In fact, Bonestell's piece about a colony on Mars could be implemented as scientists are currently working on preliminary plans on inhabiting Mars. This interdependent relationship between these two subjects is surprising yet amazing, as it displays the subjects of science and art slowly coming together in unity.
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog. I never thought to see the topic of Space and Art as negative way. Until I read your piece. Like you I find fascinating to see how space and art interact. How space can be a form of art and how art can influence the creation of new technology.
Hi Sarah, I also agree that since the beginning of time, space has always been a mystery to us. Even in today's society with all the advancements in technology, there are still lots of mystery about the world beyond Earth's forces. I also discussed how space has been used in today's entertainment industries to produce movies. Star Wars is a great example of this. Furthermore, it also combines all the topics we have learned to art and space. I feel as if the curiosity of being unsure about space is what drives us to pursue and keep going.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your blog. I appreciate your uncommon idea art in space in a more negative way, something different and outside of the box. I also agree entirely on the idea of how unknown space really is, makes me wonder what is truly out there.
ReplyDelete