Final Thoughts

            This semester having the opportunity to go to the Jet Propulsion Lab, the Integratron, and Mt. Wilson Observatory to experience how art and science intersect with each other, developing and diving into the other, was amazing in the respect of broadening my state of mind. As an artist I look at the world in a spectrum of emotion, movement, color, texture, and social context. I had never thought of incorporating science into my art before, even though in high school one of my favorite subjects was science, specifically anatomy and microbiology. In a sense of medium and/or a place to pull from science in relation had not been an inspiration. Looking back on this I realize how narrow minded my artwork has been. I began brainstorming how objects can take form and grow from a surface level interpretation to a connection of deeper levels. Analyzing science in reference to art and how creation/the universe works is so fascinating and inspirational it blows my mind and continually gives me ideas to work off of.

Taking this course not only helped me to rework my problem solving and conceptualizing of projects, it helped me open my eyes to the possibilities in other mediums. Growing life forms in petri dishes, using the illusion to trick the mind, developing artistic interpretation of Mars in relation to water and life, and the way sound effects the body/earth is tantalizing. This course pushed me to work with subjects and materials I had never used before - for example, I worked with resin on my first project to create a giant petri dish.

A few of the most awe-inspiring moments: * traveling to JPL for the first time and seeing the Mars rover in action, * visiting the Integratron and experiencing a sound bath that shook our bodies and minds, and * going to Mt. Wilson and taking magical astrophotography as well as bonding as a class. All of the information gathered from our trips to JPL is insane; I have to say my favorite speaker was one of our final speakers on our last visits. I unfortunately forget his name but what he discussed ranged from meteorites to how color changes depending on the rays of light on varying planets. Another favorite discussion of mine was with Janna Levin and hearing how fluidly she talks about the universe and how intellectually sound she is when it comes to space like black holes. It is incredible to realize that we are a speck on an ever-expanding plane and that we are finite when it comes to the big picture of the universe and it’s problems.

Science in relation to art can work together, oppose each other, or be used separately to compliment the other. The beauty of art and science is that they are so very similar yet so very different. Art can use science to enhance a piece, like creating a sculpture of different colored chords according to light rays. Science can use art to enhance a project, like modeling an aircraft for interstellar travel. They can move in and out of each other and work together quite well when used correctly. It has been a wicked experience traveling to these places, creating these projects, and working with this group of people. It shall be missed.