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| Image of space as depicted in Star Wars |
Over this course we have seen the collision of art,
technology and science and the ways in which they enhance and compliment each
other. We have explored the smallest of things, which was nanotechnology and
now the very largest of things that we will talk about today, space. The video,
“Powers of Ten” really put into perspective how small the earth we live on
actually is compared to the bigger scale of things. We as humans and even the
Earth are only a very tiny speck equated to the universe. Space is such a
fascinating and intriguing topic of study and discussion. It is something way beyond us, millions and
millions of miles away. Before the technology that we have today, one could
only look out at the universe and imagine what this mysterious outside world
was like. Popular movies such as Star Wars were based on space and the
director’s depiction of what this unknown phenomenon could contain.
Beginning with Copernicus and his influential model of the
universe in 1512, the advancements with the study of the universe really began
to spark. In the 17th century, progresses in technology finally gave
us insight into what the universe is like through the invention and lens of the
telescope. Since the times of Copernicus, astronomers have come so far giving
us a great perception of space by launching rockets and satellites to discover
what this mysterious outside world was like. All of these discoveries took what
was once left to our imagination and evolved it into reality.
Nanotechnology also plays a role in space exploration in
numerous ways but one in particular that Professor Vesna covered is Bucky
Balls, which were one of the first nanoparticles discovered. It is said that
billions of years ago comets and meteorites carried these with them when they bombarded
earth. If they were delivered in tact, the molecules would arrive on earth’s
surface. Following these findings, theories surfaced that comets and meteorites
contributed to producing life by supplying organic compounds when they crashed
into earth.
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| Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Room |
Our attraction with outer space displays itself in many
forms of art. According to an article by Alison Nastasi, our fascination with
space has grown rapidly and artists are “exploring concepts of space that are
bringing us closer to the solar system more than ever” (Nastasi). Artist, Yayoi
Kussama composed an art piece that is suppose to “hypnotize” its viewers with
his infinity mirror room. He filled a darkened mirrored room with hundreds of
LED lights and a floor that contained a shallow pool of water portraying its as
the Milky Way. Comparable to the human brain, there are so many unanswered
questions about space despite the many advances we have made and Kusama portrays
this well in his artwork representing the “dizzying sense of endless space.”
Works Cited:
Klotz, Irene.
"Bushels of Buckyballs Found in Space : DNews." DNews. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 06 June 2015.
Nastasi, Alison.
"Cosmic Art Installations Inspired By Space." N.p., n.d. Web. 06
June 2015.
Vesna, Victoria. “Space Exploration + Art lectures.” Youtube. Web. 29 July 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLZMDpoP-u0>
"What Is a
Buckyball (C60)." Understanding Nano. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 June 2015.
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