Week 5: Space+Art

The final lesson for DESMA 9 is about the relationship between space and art. Space is something that most of us are familiar with. Whether it be learning about the solar system or about the phases of the moon, many of us have some sort of knowledge about space.

Nicolaus Copernicus was a mathematician and astronomer who believed in a solar system in which the Sun is only slightly off from the center. It was known as the heliocentric solar system. Although his belief is similar to how we view the solar system today, he was afraid of publishing his work in fear of the church.

Several centuries later came the Space Race. It was strange to think that contemporary space age development started only after World War II with the invention of the atomic bomb. Sputnik, a satellite, was launched by the USSR in 1957 prompting the Space Race. Every nation began competing with one another in terms of space exploration. The Russians sent Laika, a dog, into space proving that creatures are able to survive in space. Followed by Laika, came Ham, the chimpanzee, which was sent to space by America and successfully returned alive. Ham's flight into space proved once again that living creatures can survive in space.

After launching animals to space, humans were finally sent. The first human to enter space was Russian Yuri Gagarin in 1961. In the same year, Alan Shepard, an American, became the second man to enter space. Then came Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon in 1969, and so on.

It is amazing to see how space affected art. After entering space came many TV shows such as the Jetsons, Star Trek, and Star Wars. Theories of alien life followed prompting people to create movies involving aliens such as E.T. We can see how much space exploration has affected artists and intrigued their imagination regarding space. Furthermore, art is also affecting science. The science fiction that artists think and come up with influences scientists. The imagination of a space elevator prompted scientists to research the possibilities of creating a real one. Even with space, I continue to see the real relationship between science and art. My initial thoughts before this course were disproved. Artists and scientists are not separate but rely and relate with each other.

Sources:

1. "Nicolaus Copernicus Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.
2. Dunbar, Brian. "Biography of Neil Armstrong." NASA. NASA, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 23 July 2016.
3. "Laika." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.
4. Lavender, Gemma. "Heroes of Space: Ham the Chimpanzee | Space Facts - Astronomy, the Solar System & Outer Space | All About Space Magazine." Space Facts Astronomy the Solar System Outer Space All About Magazine. N.p., 21 Aug. 2014. Web. 23 July 2016.
5. Redd, Nola Taylor. "Nicolaus Copernicus Biography: Facts and Discoveries." Space.com. N.p., 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 23 July 2016.
6. "The Space Race." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.
7. Vesna, Victoria. "8 space pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2013. Web. 23 July 2016.

Images:

1. Gu, Nini. "Fight for the Heavens: The Role of Religion in Shaping Attitudes toward Space Policy." Chicago Policy Review. N.p., 01 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://chicagopolicyreview.org/2016/04/01/fight-for-the-heavens-the-role-of-religion-in-shaping-attitudes-toward-space-policy/>
2. Latson, Jennifer. "The Sad Story of Laika, the First Dog Launched Into Orbit." Time. Time, 3 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://time.com/3546215/laika-1957/>
3. Lavender, Gemma. "Heroes of Space: Ham the Chimpanzee | Space Facts - Astronomy, the Solar System & Outer Space | All About Space Magazine." Space Facts Astronomy the Solar System Outer Space All About Space Magazine. N.p., 21 Aug. 2014. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://www.spaceanswers.com/space-exploration/heroes-of-space-ham-the-chimpanzee/>
4. Moon, Mariella. "Solar System Simulation Makes Sweet Planetary Music." Engadget. N.p., 13 Sept. 2015. Web. 23 July 2016. <https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/13/solar-system-simulation-music/>
5. "Pics about Space." Neil Armstrong On the Moon. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://pics-about-space.com/neil-armstrong-on-the-moon?p=1>
6. "Which E.T. Character Are You?" PlayBuzz. N.p., 31 Jan. 2015. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://www.playbuzz.com/lollipop23410/which-e-t-character-are-you>