Week 9: Space + Art

Collision II by Richard Clar

It is amazing how space can actually be a vehicle for merging Nanotechnology, mathematics, biotechnology and robotics together (Vesna). The artist Richard Clar is well known for his art in space projects, which include "environmental issues, such as orbital debris, war and peace, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and water management on earth" (Clar). I found his piece from 2003 titled 'COLLISION II', fascinating as it focuses "on the serious problem of orbital debris" (Clar). It is a video simulation that "views the orbiting constellation sculpture from the vantage points of low-earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit during a twelve hour period that is reduced to twelve minutes" (Clar).

Space Flight Dolphin by Richard Clar

Cosmic Sculpture by Arthur Woods

Another interesting collaboration of art and space is the Cosmic Sculpture by Arthur Woods from 1993. The purpose of the project "was to investigate the properties of sculpture in weightlessness and to evaluate the integration of art into the human space program" (Woods).  The painted geometric sculpture made out of aluminum tubes "was the first three-dimensional artwork to be specifically conceived for and officially realized in a space habitat" (Woods). When the sculpture was freed from gravity it moved around in a similar fashion to dancing, as it was floating freely to the music being played.

Overall, it was intriguing to learn about artists who are stepping outside of the box (into space) and are making scientific discoveries. These artists are using many mediums and are using new techniques to conquer space. It is evident that space is the perfect canvas for art and technology.

Image sources: 

COLLISION II, www.arttechnologies.com/collision2.html.

“Richard Clar.” Free Enterprise, sites.artsblock.ucr.edu/free-enterprise/richard-clar-3/.

“Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods.” Introduction: News : Arthur Woods : Cosmic Dancer, www.cosmicdancer.com/introduction.php.

Works Cited: 

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2O5C0Iv6ROo>.

COLLISION II, www.arttechnologies.com/collision2.html.

“Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods.” Introduction: News : Arthur Woods : Cosmic Dancer, www.cosmicdancer.com/introduction.php.

NASA, NASA, history.nasa.gov/alsj/RichardClar.html.

Earth, Greater. “Cosmic Dancer on the Mir Space Station - Space Art in Earth Orbit.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Jan. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RsBoftdVLc.