Space is a prevalent part of history and a contributing factor on how our lives have changed over time. Ever since the beginning of the space race between the USSR and United States in 1957, the world’s imagination for space and the unknown exploded (“8 space”). Specifically, the space race sparked interest in the television industry, music, and the arts.
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| The cast of Star Trek: The Original Series Source: http://www.indiewire.com/ |
To this day, there are television shows and movies about space and extraterrestrial life. Shows such as The Jetsons, Lost in Space, and Star Trek were the very beginnings of space in the television industry (“Space pt6”). Incorporating space into television indicates that science is influencing the media, stirring the audience’s imagination for the unknown.
In regards to music, Marc Battier, a French composer, shows that music can be used within the topic of space. Through the composition of exciting music for orbital debris data simulations for the US Collision II Project (where the goal is to document debris in space), he expresses the language of science into an artistic audible interpretation, invoking emotions from the audience (Clar).
Additionally, space has created a new realm of art as artists are basing their work from related scientific discoveries. Inspired by zero gravity in space, German artist Thom Kubli created “Float” (Forde). This exhibit allows viewers to experience floating as they are submersed in salt water at room temperature, replicating the buoyancy effects in zero gravity (Forde). This allows participants to ponder their thoughts whilst floating in the tank, bringing the concept of zero gravity to deeper level of self-reflection. Another example of an artist influenced by space is B.E. Johnson, an astronomical and space artist (Johnson). Ranging from paintings, animations, photographs, and glass-work, Johnson focuses his artwork on space and its implications (Johnson). This combination of space and art indicates that the gap between science and art isn’t as far as we imagined. Space art is a perfect example of art and science working together, each encouraging imagination beyond human understanding, allowing us to learn more about our universe.
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| "A New Horizon" by B.E. Johnson Courtesy of: http://imperialearth.com/ |
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| Kubli's exhibit, "Float," showing the tank filled with salt water at room temperature. Courtesy of: http://fresh.thomkubli.de/ |
Overall, I believe that space is indeed the largest connection between a science and art. By modeling the relationship space has with art, the gap between science and art will soon be nonexistent and the two will coexist together with a dependent relationships.
References
- uconlineprogram. “8 space pt2 1280x720” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2013. Web. 30 May 2017.
- uconlineprogram. “Space pt6” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 30 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2017.
- Clar, Richard. "Art Technologies." COLLISION II: An Orbital Debris Constellation Sculpture. Art Technologies, 2003. Web. 30 May 2017. <http://www.arttechnologies.com/site-2005/projects/collisonII.html>.
- Forde, Kathleen. "Art & Zero Gravity." Dancing on the Ceiling. Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, 2010. Web. 30 May 2017. <http://zerogravity.empac.rpi.edu/>.
- Johnson, B.E. "The Space Art of B.E.Johnson." N.p., 2017. Web. 30 May 2017. <http://imperialearth.com/>.
Hi Katherine, I liked how you pointed out that music can be used within the topic of space. I think that music has shaped and influenced our view of space, and there are certain types of music I tend to associate with space, which can inspire a sense of wonder and mystery about space, or create an ominous atmosphere. With this, B.E. Johnson's work also inspires similar feelings towards space. Clearly, the intersection between art and space is very strong, and I do agree that this increasing interdependence between the two fields will lead to a coexistence of science and art.
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ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the connection you made how the media’s attention to space reflects the world’s imagination about the unknown, beginning with the space race. Specially, I love the examples of music and the zero gravity model that you draw from as a representation of the intersection between science and art. It was very interesting to learn about space data and zero gravity simulations being used as an artistic audible piece and a place of self-reflection, applications I never thought possible!
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Space Race was a big and influential part of our country's culture. I find it so interesting how Space became such a central topic in most people's lives in the 60's and even heavily influenced the entertainment industry. Space today still has an impact on our lives with new innovations that are based off of the infatuation with space. This provides us a more accessible way to experience and associate ourselves with space.