Artistic Research on Freedom in Space and Science
Abstract
ArtScience ESTEC: Space science in the arts. Since the earliest scientific preparations for extra-terrestrial travel at the beginning of the 20th century, the exploration of outer space has become a quintessential framework of the human condition and its creative manifestations. Although the artistic pursuit of space science is still in its infancy, an accelerated evolution is currently underway. Perspective: With the current state of the planet and the development of technology, humankind has the ability to look from a greater distance to the damage that has been done. This offers potential in the form of early detection and prevention of disasters. Meanwhile our aim seems to be directed away from the earth into the universe. In the Space science in the arts project I tried to encapsulate these two viewpoints that tend to avoid each other. We are still earthbound and that is our basis. A tree cannot grow tall without strong roots. Space, a promise of freedom. Line of thought: Space sounds like freedom but to actually send people out there they have to be strapped tightly on top of a giant missile to reach a habitat of interconnecting tubes with very little space. It is impossible to escape protocol with- out risking your life and the lives of astronauts have been fixed years in advance. This is the human predicament which does not apply to the telescopes and other devices used to reach far into the universe. Providing information instantly the various forms of light allow us to travel without moving. Description of the installation: The research on freedom in space and science led to the development of an installation that reflects the dualistic aspect which clings to the exploration of the universe. The installation is a model on multiple scales. You can look at the material or the feeling it evokes as well as at the constantly changing projections. The image is light. Inside this glass circle there is a broken dome placed over a dark and reflective surface on which light manipulating machines continuously alter the projected image. Development: In order to delve deeper into the subject of freedom in space and science this setup can serve as a vantage point. And it can offer an interactive environment to explore notions of freedom in space and science. The addition of a specific environment around and above the installation, referring to the fabric of space would highly increase the impact it has on an audience. You would then be able to immerse yourself in the world of this settlement, somewhere in outer space. Sound, light and projection screens will orbit the table changing the projections even more. Triggering the imagination with every movement. Results: Freedome has been exhibited at TecArt in Rotterdam, at ILEWG/Artscience day and the Lunar conference at ESTEC in February 2014. The images underneath (courtesy J. Preusterink BH Foing) depict the installation in some ways it can be experienced http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn8DHARrlU (images: Jolanda Preusterink and Bernard Foing, from ILEWG/ESTEC/ArtScience-The Hague workshop Space Science in the Arts) Authors: Ronald Schelfhout, Bernard Foing, Evelina Domnitch, Dmitry Gelfand, Edwin van der Heide, Jolanda Preusterink
- Publication:
-
40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014cosp...40E.886F