Space and Art

 This final week of DESMA 9 covered the basis behind the relationship between art and space. This chapter is one I was really looking forward to as I feel like I have a bit of prior knowledge going into the discussion about space. We first looked at one of the first scholars to study space, Copernicus. Copernicus was the first to ever suggest that the sun was at the center of the solar system in terms of mathematical logistics. He observed and studied astronomy and the sky, and began to understand specifically Earth's tilt and rotation, allowing him an explanation for "the heavens" (Vesna pt.1 1:20), however didn't want to cause issues with the church, so delayed publishing it. 

Nikolaus Kopernikus.jpg  Why did many people not believe Copernicus? - Quora

We began to see more current outer space research come about after WWII, through the creation of the first atomic bomb. This began the rivalry between the US and Soviet Union, in terms of atomic technology and weaponry. As the Cold War began through this tension, and another race between the "enemies" began; the race to space. Russia lunched Sputnik, and it changed the way people thought and felt about space and space technology forever. I caused panic and fear that those who could use space to their advantage, would use it with ill intention. 

August Marks Atomic Bomb Anniversary - Nevada Department of Veterans Services

Part of why Sputnik and Sputnik 2 (which carried Laika, the god that became the first living creature in space) were so important and scary to the US as an enemy of Russia, was that research was done and it was determined that either rocket could easily carry "a ton and a half hydrogen bomb warhead over 5000 miles to a target "Vesna pt.3 3:35). This meant that in the midst of the intense Cold War between the Soviet Union and the US, the Soviet Union acquired technology to be able to target America from 5000 miles away, completely destroying the US with the push of a button. 

Laika | Background, Spaceflight, & Facts | Britannica

But how does this relate to art? Well through all of this outer space scientific discovery, we have advanced, allowing us to create new technology and robotics (which we learned before, are forms of art) meant for outer space use. Ideas within the present day field of space tech have to do with an outer space mining industry, in which we could acquire precious metals and other resources from space, and bring them back to Earth for our own use and value. 

No Digging Required: Space Mining on the Moon and Beyond May Be Solar Powered | Space

With this being said, there is still a lot to learn about space, and so many mysteries. However, learning the basics can show us how cool technology that would thought would only ever be imagined, could turn into reality, opening up a whole new world of opportunity and scientific research. 


Photo Citations

“August Marks Atomic Bomb Anniversary.” Nevada Department of Veterans Services, 1 Aug. 2019, veterans.nv.gov/august-marks-atomic-bomb-anniversary/. 

“Laika.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Laika. 

“Nicolaus Copernicus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus. 

Wall, Mike. “No Digging Required: Space Mining on the Moon and beyond May Be Solar Powered.” Space.Com, Space, 4 Sept. 2019, www.space.com/moon-asteroid-space-mining-with-concentrated-sunlight.html. 

“Why Did Many People Not Believe Copernicus?” Quora, www.quora.com/Why-did-many-people-not-believe-Copernicus. 


Citations

Magazine, Smithsonian. “The Sad, Sad Story of Laika, the Space Dog, and Her One-Way Trip into Orbit.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 11 Apr. 2018, www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/sad-story-laika-space-dog-and-her-one-way-trip-orbit-1-180968728/. 

“Space.” Northrop Grumman, 24 May 2023, www.northropgrumman.com/space/?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=space&utm_medium=kw&utm_audience=list_g&utm_content=null_null&utm_format=copy&utm_code=OTH-13321&source=OTH-13321.

Vesna, Victoria. 8 Space pt.1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZIqTR332l8

Vesna, Victoria. 8 Space pt.2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLZMDpoP-u0&t=359s

Vesna, Victoria. 8 Space pt.3, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WOqt_C55Mk&t=374s

Vesna, Victoria. 8 Space pt.5, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=180&v=WnSUHMXBmdg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fbruinlearn.ucla.edu%2F&source_ve_path=MzY4NDIsMzY4NDIsMzY4NDIsMjM4NTE&feature=emb_title



Comments

Josh Anderson said…
Hi Tessia, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Interestingly, we both touched upon very similar topics, so it was insightful to read a comparative analysis in different words. I especially enjoyed reading the 2nd to last paragraph, where you discuss how all of this space discovery relates to art.
June 1, 2023 at 3:55 PM
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