Space + Art

  As the professor discussed, space exploration and space itself involve a lot of the topics that have already been discussed in previous lectures.  For example, nanotechnology can be seen in the discovery of "buckyballs," balls composed of hydrogen gases.  Nanotechnology is also involved in the creation of telescopes which has proven to be crucial in the process of space exploration and discovery.

The endeavors of space saw a drastic jump when living creatures began to be launched into the treacherous tundra.  Russia was the first to do so when they sent a dog, Laika, into orbit.  Although Laika did not survive the entire endeavor, body sensors proved that it is possible for living creatures to survive in the extraterrestrial ecosystem.  The next step after Laika, was sending a chimpanzee into space.  The chimpanzee, more like humans in physical body structure and brain processes, was responsible for carrying out on board procedure such as pulling levers.  This was performed by flashing lights at the creature and then rewarding it when it did the right thing.  These two creatures paved the way for human space exploration which is now crucial for the understanding of our solar system and the rest of space.
 

 Some may wonder where space and art collide.  One instance of a parallel that can be seen between the two has to do with the lack of gravity.  Groups have utilized this weightlessness to perform special types of dancing. One group, in specific, has built a tank that simulates the lack of gravity experienced in space.  In this tank, performers take to the sky as they show off their truly unique moves only possible in weightlessness conditions.  Another example of how art and science can possibly collide can be seen in the Arctic Perspective Initiative.  This group is trying to connect all of the communities in the arctic polar regions of earth through low cost communication technologies.  If successful, this project could potentially prove to be helpful in space travel and exploration.  Space is a harsh tundra that offers a wide array of question marks, but also a number of opportunities.





Works:

"Arctic Perspective Initiative." N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://arcticperspective.org/>.

Forde, Kathleen. "Dancing on the Ceiling." N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://zerogravity.empac.rpi.edu/>.

Gibney, Elizabeth. "Buckyballs in Space Solve 100-year-old Riddle." Nature. N.p., 15 July 2015. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.nature.com/news/buckyballs-in-space-solve-100-year-old-riddle-1.17987>.

Latson, Jennifer. The Sad Story of Laika, the First Dog Launched Into Orbit. Digital image. Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://time.com/3546215/laika-1957/>.

"Space Dog Laika Finally Gets a Happy Ending." Seeker. N.p., 12 July 2011. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.seeker.com/space-dog-laika-finally-gets-a-happy-ending-1765295559.html#news.discovery.com>.

Top 10 Space Stories of 2015: Readers' Choice. Digital image. Seeker. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.seeker.com/top-10-space-stories-of-2015-readers-choice.com>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Space + Art." Desma 9. Los Angeles. 28 May 2016. Lecture.