BRING HIM HOME!

If you haven't started reading the book yet this should help!!!

http://www.bringhimhome.com

Curious about Curiosity

Throwback Thursday to last Friday and picture a wide-eyed little girl jumping off a bus into the Mars yard yelling, "I'm going to walk on Mars!"Yeah. That was me. Despite the fact that we were not actually walking on Mars, the first thing that I was intrigued about was the make of the wheels on the rover Curiosity. These wheels are made of aluminum and have to withstand the geological forces of the surface of Mars which is actually proving to be difficult. Looking into the make of the wheels of Curiosity I stumbled upon an article from August that wrote about the origins of the puncture holes in the rover's wheels. At first scientists were confused--they knew to expect some sort of damage over time, but not to the extent that there were puncture holes within the inner parts of the wheels themselves. It turns out that the surface of Mars that they have been sending Curiosity on is mostly bedrock, solid rock inevitably with protrusions, that could puncture the wheels over time--something that the scientists did not see on Mars before. How are they planning on prolonging the wheel lives of Curiosity? The scientists believe that Curiosity has about 8 kilometers left to go on Bedrock with lots of rocks, 13-14 kilometers on rocks without bedrock, and 30-40 kilometers on flagstone with an indeterminate quantity for smooth and sandy surfaces. With these numbers, scientists have come up with various solutions to the damage from changing the driving software to experience less force on the wheels from pointy rocks to simply driving backwards. Where the rover will end up next is in the hands of the scientists, given the wheels don't give out first. Check out the article here.

Beneath The Surface

I was SO inspired by Dan Goods and all of his work. As someone who isn’t confident in my knowledge or understanding of science, I was so surprised and how interested I was in all of his work.

His Project, Beneath The Surface, was unbelievably amazing. Set up in a dark room, the piece mimics Jupiter’s surface and the tactics that Juno uses in order to see the storms that exist deep below the clouds on the planet’s shell. The most amazing thing about this project is its minor invisibility to the naked eye. The only way the storm can be seen under the clouds is through a cell phone camera.  This piece is just so unbelievably brilliant. It takes something that is so complex that is the science of the surface of Jupiter and dumbs it down and allows us to actually see it through something so normal to us – our cell phone.

For our first project, Katie and I are doing a collaboration involving cymatics, how sound waves create visual vibrations in a surface. Beneath The Surface touches on that completely by using vibrating pads that move so rapidly they actual vaporize the water, creating the smoke that is seen in the storm. It was absolutely the perfect piece to see and research as inspiration for our project.

Lucky Legumes- Katie Peck

Right off the bat I was so confused when I walked into the Center of the Universe and I kept seeing jars of peanuts. Never in my lifetime did I think I would ever write a sentence that sounds so strange as that. But really I was expecting to see such a casual food in a place that is so critical and high tech as the mission control room at JPL. I even asked the man, I forget his name sorry, who was giving us the tour what it was all about. Due to being so pressed for time he just said it was a long story and just kept going on his what seemed millionth time giving the tour. So I did a little reasearch and found that this crazy story about superstitions and the power of the peanuts at JPL.

So back during the space race back in the 1960s. JPL had failed seven robotic attempts at going to the moon and were getting close to some major personnel and program  changes from the big head honchos of NASA. So during what could have been the last attempt to get to space by the group of engineers and scientist the current flight director David Oh passed around a jar of peanuts. His thought process behind it was to have his crew playing with and eating the peanuts instead of them thinking about the mission and the possibility of them losing their jobs. The mission ended up being a great success with Ranger 7 landing on the moon and took photographs of the lunar surface.  So still to this during any pivotal moment during a mission there is always a jar of shelled roasted  peanuts labeled "dare mighty things," being passed around the room.  As for the quote on the jar the engineers went through several ideas before the all agreed on the iteration together. The peanuts aren’t the only lucky charms engineers also have  worry beads, sideburns, "playoff beards," and other traditions.

I think this is an interesting aspect of NASA that I would have thought was a joke if I hadn't seen these lucky legumes in person. But it makes sense now stepping back. I think we all have our rituals artists and scientists. That paint brush that just always make the best finishing touches to a painting, lucky socks or underwear. A lot of people share these strange superstitions that affect us on the same level of getting to that discovery or fulfillment of our final product.

Prism of Light -- Natalie & Lillian

In undertaking the task of exploring patterns of nature and mathematics, we were immediately drawn to Janna Levin's emotive discussion on the discourse between the finite and the infinite. 

The mathematical system of pattern reproduction that we will be employing is that of capturing the effects of the dispersion of light through a prism and further digitizing and pixeling the result to create a pattern of abstract color that is suggestive of this originally created light spectrum. We will then be projecting the pixeled video back onto the prism itself (the source for which the video was created) as it sits on a spinning surface in a space entirely covered in Mylar. Heavily influenced by Yayoi Kusama’s masterful creation of infinite fields of space using mirrors (which evoke the duality between infinite and finite space seeing as the viewer is aware that he/she is standing in a confined space), our piece will attempt to evoke nature in an extremely limbic and psychological way (thus referring to human nature itself), addressing the ways in which reality can be a product of the individual self. Further the piece will attempt to evoke the idea of agency over one’s perception in multiple ways. First, the viewer may engage in suspension of disbelief, allowing their senses to be engorged with the experience that surrounds them. Second, the viewer will be allowed to spin the rotary device upon which sits the prism that casts light in the space, creating a commentary on the subjectivity of experience and internalization of fixed reality. Finally, the crux of the piece remains in the nature of the projection (video captured of the prism emitting light and then projecting this onto itself again). Its cyclical suggestion evokes questions both infinity and finite patterns. For the former, the projection suggests and endless cycle where light feeds into itself. For the latter, the piece evokes Levin’s argument on the Mobius strip- something that ends up where it began (though slightly altered).  

Video Experiments:

Smoke

Fire

Supply List:

• Silver Mylar Sheets (4 x 100 ft.)
• Glass Prism
• White Pedestal
• Ceramic Trimming Dolly
• Projector
• Projector ceiling suspension & holder
• Tape / Stapler

NASA's Eyes

During my first visit to JPL, I came across multiple ideas and inventions that struck my curiosity. One that most interested me was NASA's Eyes. This includes Eyes On The Solar System, Eyes On Pluto, Eyes On Earth, and Eyes on the Exoplanets. Eyes On The Solar System is an amazing program that lets viewers explore our planets, stars, comets, moons, via the space crafts in use since the 1950's through 2050. The space crafts include, but aren't limited to Dawn, Cassini, and Juno. This is important for those who want to educate themselves about space in an interactive environment. The visualizations of space are helpful in understanding what cannot be communicated through a textbook or lecture. It is available on Mac or PC after downloading the app on this website: 
http://eyes.nasa.gov/
It is also available via mobile device, so you can learn on the go. You can click on different planets and moons for more information, statistics, photos, and you can even compare the size to other planets including Earth. For example, I learned that Mars is 6.146x10^23 kg and Earth is 5.972x10^24 kg. However, the Sun is 1.989x10^30. If you aren't good at math like I am and can't picture the size, NASA's eyes shows you a visual comparison to get the idea. I also learned that Mars has seasons, like Earth, when the polar ice caps grow or recede. Mars also has the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons. The controls in the program can let you customize your experience, including time, destination, and speed, but if you're unsure how to work the program, you can refer to this video I found that explains how to navigate it: 
https://youtu.be/GLN-T3-nsiU
But who created this program that combines 3D digital art with science? I wanted to look more into the artistic skill behind the program. The 3D art director is Brian Kumanchik, a freelance artist/animator specializing in low polygon modeling for game engines. The 3D artists include Christian Lopez, Matthew Garcia, Christopher Garcia, and Yina Chang. "By basing our visualization primarily on mission data, this tool will help both NASA and the public better understand complex space science missions," says Kevin Hussey, manager of Visualization Technology Applications and Development at JPL. This is important for the development of young minds as well as students like me who want to explore the connections between art and science.

The Advertisement of Space Travel

 During our visit to JPL one of the most interesting aspects of a fully funded science program was the fact that they had a whole team dedicated to the visualization and artistic development of space. This really impressed me mainly because art seems to typically be in a lesser category when it comes from a scientific mindset. Out of all the projects that Dan Good's team showed us, I was immediately drawn to the the Exoplanet travel posters. Coming from a heavy film background, I really love the cinematic taste of the planets as well as the vintage take on space travel that helps get the public really interested in space from a visual point of view.
I started looking into Exoplanets and what particularly makes they inhabitable and found this great video that explains what exactly makes an Exoplanet safe for humans and goes more into the terminology surrounding the topic. It is also great because it mentions the visualization of these plants are an artists interpretation and might be the exact opposite of the planets actual characteristics. 

However, scientist have learned certain criteria that the Exoplanets do meet, and then work with artists to help create an estimated visualization of the surface, environment, and overall planet as well as the star that it orbits. In the next video, it further explains the relationship between science and artists when it comes to Exoplanets and beyond. 

On the other hand, what JPL is doing takes the creative interpretation of the Exoplanets and advertises the futuristic human consumer point of view. They are combining the natural appeal of travel and culture with actual facts of “far off lands” of foreign planets. It works not only because it is a really fascinating scientific topic but also because it is not overly or exclusively about space. It is more involving the human need to have fun and go on adventures that just happen to be in space.

When we were talking to the team that developed the posters, they mentioned that Time Magazine published an article about them concerning the project.

http://time.com/3659519/nasa-vintage-exoplanet-travel-posters/

In the article, they mention that this project is “capturing the excitement of space exploration” and that excitement is almost entirely directed at the common man, rather than a trained astronaut. They also mention that the actual travel to these planets are “impossible to visit in person with any current technology, so until we build a Star Trek-style warp drive or discover an Interstellar-esque worm hole, a trip to an Exoplanet will have to remain a dream” just that comment invertible directs the reader into the mind set of magical exploration and hyper realistic space travel as seen produced by Hollywood and enjoyed by people of all ages. Most people will look at these travel posters will think of Star Trek, Interstellar, or some other space cult-classic and will be absolutely thrilled that the technology is not impossible but can be imagined as such a normal way thinking. This will spark the interest of all ages and future generations to come in such an unconventional way.

Low-Density Supersonic Decelerators

            Visiting the Jet Propulsion Lab in Los Angeles this past Friday was probably one of the most rad field trips I have been on to date, and there are more coming which not only excites but stimulates the Art & Science juices to flow for this semester. After seeing all there was to see one of the things that caught my attention the most was the future possibility of landing humans on Mars. I went out and bought The Martian this past weekend and have begun reading it, and the idea of traveling to Mars and having research taking place there with hands-on scientists is ridiculously cool. The LDSD (Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator), a technology for landing loads on Mars, is being tested currently for the future of human missions to Mars. At the Mars yard this was skimmed over and not developed too much in the short lecture, so I took it upon myself to do some more research into the journey of the LDSD.

             https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasas-ldsd-project-completes-second-experimental-test-flight

            Above is the link to the article on NASA’s website documenting the testing of the new LDSDs. As NASA continues research on these supersonic decelerators they are testing the amount of mass it is capable of carrying, the type of landing they can get with new design of the technology’s structure and the type of balloons used in the landing process, as well as the building of a supersonic decelerator that can carry humans.

            In relation to art, the people working on the LDSDs are designers, figuring out how to make the parachute that is now being tested in the landing of these objects inflate and not be destroyed upon atmospheric entry. There was a recent test where the parachute failed and tore during testing.

           

           This video is from about a year ago but it shows the process that is taking place in testing the LDSDs.                                          

 They are turning out varying designs, just like artists do when brainstorming a new project, and working on making their work sound, similar to a sculptor, painter, or installation artist. These supersonic decelerators can be classified as pieces of art simply due to the fact that each piece put together has been designed by a scientist to make sure that the finished product is viable for flight and landing, creating a working sculpture of interstellar travel.

            https://blogs.nasa.gov/ldsd/

            LDSD NASA has it’s own blog on the progress they are making in the creation of a suitable for a human trip to the Red Planet.

What Will We Miss? (and other awesome science videos)

For those of you who have never heard of VSauce, host Michael Stevens answers scientific and philosophical questions in the most interesting way imaginable. I have watched every single one of his videos and I have learned so much. If you are ever in need of some brain food, you know where to go. 

In this video, he talks about events that will happen billions of years from now, both on earth and in deep space. His videos take on a variety of topics such as linguistics, technology, perception, and so much more. You can check out more of them here.

Carleigh Koger- 'Elizabeth Jameson, neuroscientific artist '

I found Elizabeth James through this link, there are a few other cool artists on there too. (http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/start/the-big-question)
She is a neuroscientific artist who uses MRI's to create visual art.
Here is the link to her website, super interesting!
http://www.jamesonfineart.com

Katie Peck: Cymatics

     Super stoked about the progress Olivia and I made on our collaboration for the first project.   We are working with cymatics which is, "allowing us to see into the otherwise hidden geometry in sound and frequencies which form matter".   Here is a video of when we figured out we could use music rather then just changing the hertz of the speaker to create the geometric patterns in the water. We did this by setting a lid of a paint can on a speaker and filling it with enough to cover the bottom completely.  Don't mind my horrible filming and commentary! Also let us know if you have any ideas or would like to collaborate!

     If you want to read a little more about cymatics check out this link! http://themindunleashed.org/2013/11/cymatics-sound-consciousness.

Khaing Shwe - Tomorrowland

I am not sure if you guys have watched this movie. It's a story about "Tomorrowland" - a place that exist somewhere in "time and space" - created by scientists and artists. I think it is a good example of how our world can be creative with scientists and artists' minds combined together. The following link gives us a plot summary movie and trailer for it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1964418/

Dani Planto: The Future of Science... Is Art?

http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_future_of_science_is_art/

Francesca Artalejo: Projection Mapped Makeup

Found this really cool light mapping on a model's face and naturally thought it was amazing.

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/watch-a-models-face-transform-with-projection-mapped-makeup?utm_source=tcpfbus

Natalie Frisinger- Mark Dion

Found this great Art 21 Talk with Mark Dion discussing the application of scientific methods to artistic inquiry as well as mediating the line between scientific objectivity and externally influenced subjectivity:

http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/mark-dion

Katie Scott

Found this article on Juxtapoz and I think her work is amazing. Feeling like I absolutely need a poster of her work in my bedroom.

http://www.juxtapoz.com/current/the-scientific-and-anatomical-illustrations-of-katie-scott

http://katie-scott.com/personal-work/#work

Interpretation through Art: Ulrike Kuchner

For me, the relationship of art and science through various retinal interpretations artists display is the most exciting new developments in the art world. Artists typically illustrate an emotion, memory or idea; science thought to be so structured and pragmatic is now seen in diverse artistic versions creating an almost ironic twist to the basics of science itself.

The Austrian astronomer and visual artist Ulrike Kuchner collects data of the nuclei of interacting and colliding galaxies, and then reinterprets it through color with printing and painting techniques. This new art and science collaboration Kuchner hopes, will pique the audience’s interest and encourage a creative process in an audience not usually connected to science.

Ulrike Kuchner website: http://www.ulrikekuchner.com/Ulrike_Kuchner/Welcome_News.html

Astronomy & Influence

“To me, there is no past or future in art. If a work cannot live always in the present, it must not be considered at all” (A Dynamic History).

When studying abroad 2 summers ago I was in Prague, exploring the city and researching the history and culture that remains and continues to draw travellers in. Prague has been named one of the most beautiful places in the world, and living there for a week I could see why. The city is built along a great river, the cathedral and palace sitting a top a hill with the city unfolding around it. Crossing the Charles Bridge there were artists everywhere; this is obviously a very inspirational place to create due to the atmosphere, the landscape, and the movement of the city. Though there were many amazing sights I was particularly drawn to town hall and the towering astronomical clock that looks out across the square. When envisioning the trip to NASA this clock immediately popped into my mind and how much of an effect it had on me; I realized that this is an example of the convergence of art and science. The clock was built in 1410 and is the oldest working astronomical clock still around today. The clock has two faces: one that shows the movement of the sun and the moon in correlation with time as well as the lunar phase, and one that shows the calendar and zodiac signs. Every hour two doors open at the top of the clock and the twelve apostles pass across the open doorways as a bell rings.

This clock works simultaneously as a display for the passing of time and the changing of the stars, as well as an artistic piece that architecturally and pictorially shows the culture of the period it was built in. The structure of the building, the style of painting and sculpt, the intimidation of the clock standing over you all give a peek into history. The height and width f the building makes it tall and overpowering, nodding toward the importance and awe it inspired in the past. Not only was it a symbol of time and space, but it was a religious show for the passing apostles, watching over every hour and the skeleton of death shaking it's arm. There is an eeriness about this, as if this clock is watching all it's admirers slowly perish from time and old age.
Picasso’s quote (above) is notable in comparison; it not only has withheld the test of time, it has survived the evolution of society and has been kept around not simply because it can tell time but because it is a work of art. It shows technique in the painted medallions on the clock face, in the apostles’ sculptures sliding past the windows, in the animated figurines. Gothic sculptures adorn it and it is a religious symbol.
Art and science go hand in hand; they both work to solve a dilemma, either it is an internal, personal or external, removed one. Both can be structured and both can be fluid: some styles of artwork are very structured, just like lab work, while other artists like to throw themselves into a piece with no previous planning similar to scientists going out in the field without a notion of what they are specifically looking for.