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Week 9 - Space + Art

The idea of space is overwhelming to me, because of the literal amount of space is unfathomable. For this class, the subject of space and art is a good way to wrap up other concepts as well (Vesna). Despite the freshness of space exploration, the advancement of technology in the past 70 years is also overwhelming, but super aesthetically pleasing to me "space exploration is typically done for current and future technologies" (Kahng 423). This week's lecture focused on the historical context of space exploration, the conditions to support living organisms, and other byproducts of the entire movement.

Interests in space peaked after World War II, and the creation of Sputnik by Russians was a creation that peaked many people's interest. In ways, Sputnik could be perceived as an artistic idea designed due to our human interest for the unknown, or outer space. Not only did Sputnik stir up interests in the general population but "Sputnik's launch resulted in a change in the culture of schooling" (Steeves 71), this idea is similar to what Dr. Vesna described in lecture.



Although constellations were briefly mentioned in lecture, the idea of horoscopes are is generated from different constellations in space (Neugebauer 14). I believe our curiosity for space is inevitable and the whole idea of horoscopes is an artistic way to feed our hunger for knowledge of the unknown.

The media industry like many of the other art and science topics was also inspired by space travel. As a result, there are shows like Star Trek and The Jetsons, which although is a reaction to the idea of space travel, had to influence on the designs of modern technology (Hartt 235). Again we see art and science working together and be productive!

Sources:




Abramson, Larry. “Sputnik Left Legacy for U.S. Science Education.” NPR, NPR, 30 Sept. 2007, www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14829195.

Hartt, Christopher M., et al. "Guiding the Space Age from the ground up: Pan Am, Cold War and guided missiles." Management & Organizational History 4.3 (2009): 229-245.

Kahng, Andrew B., et al. "ORION 2.0: A fast and accurate NoC power and area model for early-stage design space exploration." Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition, 2009. DATE'09.. IEEE, 2009.

Nasa. “Constellations and the Calendar.” NASA, 20 Sept. 2016, nasa.tumblr.com/post/150688852794/zodiac.

Neugebauer, Otto, and Henry Bartlett Van Hoesen. Greek horoscopes. Vol. 48. American Philosophical Society, 1987.

Silva, Jason. "At TED Active 2011 SCIENCE, ART = WONDER." Huffington Post. 8 Mar. 2011. Web. 31 May 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fjason-silva%2Fat-ted-active-2011-scienc_b_832677.html>.

Steeves, Kathleen Anderson, et al. "Transforming American educational identity after Sputnik." American Educational History Journal 36.1/2 (2009): 71.

Vesna, Victoria. "8 Space Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2013. Web. 30 May 2018. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZIqTR332l8>.  

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