Week 9: Space + Art

Astronomical elements and planets have been the source for works of art for a long time. It gives us the ability to look off into the world and imagine what we would see out there. Space exploration is used by artists through photography, illustration, and paintings, but it also expands to the arts and humanities and into cultural expression. An artists with one of the World's Best Collection of Outer Space Photographs is Don Pettit. He has spent over half of his life in outer space, taking photographs fro NASA, but he has realized that although most of the photos he takes are technical photos, Pettit states, "I want to let people understand that you can take pictures in space that you consider art. And I want tot try and share the joys of this environment for people who don't get the chance to go there" (New Republic). Pettit explains how some aspects of his photography are technical, they are parts of the world and works of art that most people will never be able to see, which makes it even more rare and special. A few of Pettit's photos are below:

It seems that one of the main goals of artists who explore space is to create an experience of outer space in unique, artistic ways. Another way that the beauty of space is being used for art is by an organization called KSEVT. Also known as the Cultural Space Programme, KSEVT is an eponymous institute that promotes research in the fields or space culturalization. All of the events at the institute are designed to intertwine art and science, stressing the importance of humanistic science and modern art in space exploration. One of the most interesting events that I found was the KSEVT Hotel, located in the tiny Slovanian village of Vitanje. This hotel allows you to spend the night in a a zero-gravity levitation suit, simulating what it would be like to sleep in space. The system doesn't use any high-tech gear to replicate this experience, but it relies on the levitation suit to create the feeling of natural movement, as shown below.

Sources:

Booker, Maia. "Meet the Astronaut with the World's Best Collection of Outer Space Photographs." New Republic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116606/astronaut-space-photography-don-petits-amazing-art>.

"Articles by Don Pettit." Articles by Don Pettit. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.airspacemag.com/author/don-pettit/?no-ist>.

"Institute." KSEVT. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.ksevt.eu/2015/?page_id=391>.

MailOnline, Katie Amey for. "Perfect for a Light Sleeper! Tourists Invited to Find out What It Feels like to Fall Asleep in Zero-gravity (as Long as They Don't Mind Hanging from the Ceiling)." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 14 May 2015. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3081446/KSEVT-hotel-allows-guests-experience-like-fall-asleep-outer-space.html>.

"Sleep in Zero-Gravity at the KSEVT Hotel." PSFK Sleep in ZeroGravity Slumber Without Leaving Earth Comments. N.p., 15 May 2015. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.psfk.com/2015/05/sleep-in-zero-gravity-ksevt-hotel-aa-visiting-school-slovenia-3d-sleeping.html>.

Photos:

Pettit, Don. Star Trails. Digital image. New Republic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116606/astronaut-space-photography-don-petits-amazing-art>.

Pettit, Don. Aurora Borealis. Digital image. New Republic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116606/astronaut-space-photography-don-petits-amazing-art>.

Pettit, Don. City at Night. Digital image. New Republic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116606/astronaut-space-photography-don-petits-amazing-art>.

Brack, Jeb. Sleep in Zero-Gravity. Digital image. Psfk. N.p., 15 May 2015. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://www.psfk.com/2015/05/sleep-in-zero-gravity-ksevt-hotel-aa-visiting-school-slovenia-3d-sleeping.html>.