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.