Week 9: Space + Art

 The exploration of space had its initial breakthroughs in 1512 with Copernicus' publication of his heliocentric model of the universe, providing a mathematically detailed system that explained the rotation of celestial bodies (Vesna). Prior to the 1600s, the sky remained a mysterious realm, leaving many bewildered and curious. However, the invention of the telescope in 1611 opened up new avenues of exploration and ignited people’s fascination with space (Vesna).

 The Galileo Project. Retrieved from http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/instruments/telescope.html.

Throughout history, artists, writers as well as scientists have contemplated the vastness of space and its potential for discovering the unknown. In 1865, Jules Verne gave a detailed explanation on what he imagined the sensation of weightlessness on the moon would be like, a concept that would be experienced almost a century later by Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space (Vesna). From the tiniest building blocks of atoms to the vast expanse of space, the arrangement of life showcases a distinctive intermingling of motion and tranquility, embodying an innate artistic essence (Eames).


 MAGNETIC MINDS. Retrieved from https://www.magneticmag.com/2021/03/magnetic-minds-interview-art-astronaut-richelle-gribble/.

Richelle Gribble's work captured my attention as she is an expeditionary artist who explores the interconnectedness between Earth and the rest of space. Through her exploration of remote and vast areas of space, Gribble highlights the intersection of humans, technology, and the environment. Her artwork allows me to visualize the global connections and encourages reflection on how different systems intertwine.


The 'Cosmic Dancer' sculpture, which was launched to the Russian Mir space station, was also very interesting to me. In the absence of gravity, this three-dimensional angular aluminum sculpture could be observed from any angle as it rotates. Unlike traditional static sculptures typically seen in museums, the behavior of sculptures and objects in space without the constraints of gravity opens up new possibilities in the realm of art. Observing artwork in space creates a renewed outlook on the pieces themselves, presenting unparalleled avenues for artistic expression. Considering that the majority of individuals lack the opportunity for personal space exploration, I firmly believe that space art harbors immense untapped potential for advancement.

Wood, A. (n.d.). cosmic dancer - a space art intervention by arthur woods. Retrieved from https://www.cosmicdancer.com/cosmic_dancer_photos.php.




Citation

“About.” RICHELLE GRIBBLE, https://www.richellegribble.com/about. 


Vesna, Victoria. "Space pt4." Desma9, 2 June 2023, UCLA.Lecture


Vesna, Victoria. "Space pt1." Desma9,   2 June 2023, UCLA.Lecture


Vesna, Victoria. "Space pt2." Desma9,  2 June  2023, UCLA.Lecture



Eames Office. "Powers of Ten." YouTube. YouTube, 1977. Web.  2 June 2023

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