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.