Week 9. Space + Art

 This week’s topic is very close to my heart because I do astrophotography, which I find a very good artistic way to show the beauty of the world we live in. Unfortunately, space exploration was never harmless and easy for us. In the name of science we sent animals to space technically to die just to see if we can send humans to space. Later on, after scientists learned how to bring the spacecraft back to Earth, they started sending animals to space to learn the effect of cosmic rays on a living creature and different life supporting equipment. First animals that made 17 revolutions around the Earth and successfully came back home were Russian dogs Belka and Strelka. That was a great triumph for science and humanity.

Belka and Strelka, Russian dogs astronauts 

Space always mesmerized people, and many creative artists chose space to be their inspiration for their art. One of the most accurate representations of modern physics and astronomy is depicted in the movie Interstellar by Christopher Nolan. He worked with scientists to create a movie that would show the real or possible events that do not violate established laws of physics. This is the movie that shows people traveling through a wormhole to be able to overcome the distances that are not possible to overcome using current technology we have. I think this is a great piece that combines all the possible disciplines of study including biology, astronomy, and even sociology. 

Interstellar movie Black Hole

Right now, we are slowly moving to the direction of improving the technology we can use to travel through space. Although it is still far from the Star Trek universe, Elon Musk’s ambitions to “conquer” Mars and create reusable spaceships can improve and speed up the exploration of the universe.

Photo of the Milky Way. Captured in Joshua Tree National Park

Sources:

Vesna, V. (n.d.). Space Exploration + Art part 3 DESMA 9: Art, Science and Technology. Course Modules: 22S-DIS STD-187-LEC-1 Special Topics in Disability Studies. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129921/modules 

Vesna, V. (n.d.). Space Exploration + Art part 5 DESMA 9: Art, Science and Technology. Course Modules: 22S-DIS STD-187-LEC-1 Special Topics in Disability Studies. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/129921/modules 

IMDb.com. (2014, November 7). Interstellar. IMDb. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/ 

Torchinsky, R. (2022, March 17). Elon Musk hints at a crewed mission to Mars in 2029. NPR. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2022/03/17/1087167893/elon-musk-mars-2029 

Seitz, M. Z. (n.d.). Interstellar Movie Review & Film Summary (2014): Roger Ebert. movie review & film summary (2014) | Roger Ebert. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/interstellar-2014 

Белка и Стрелка: первые животные в космосе. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://depts.washington.edu/startalk/lessons/documents/Space_Race_texts.pdf 

Москвы, Официальный сайт Мэра (2020, September 8). Training, Puppies and care. how Belka and Strelka lived before and after the flight / news / moscow city web site. / News / Moscow City Web Site. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.mos.ru/amp/en/news/item/94754073/ 

BlackRainbow. (2014, December 4). Interstellar Black Hole (gargantua). Blender Artists Community. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://blenderartists.org/t/interstellar-black-hole-gargantua/627437/19?page=2 

Voit, A. (n.d.). life.efflorescence. instagram. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/p/BkTLC3bn2RS/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y