Space + Art

Last week, we discussed one of the extremities on the scale of size, nano-technology. This week, we go on to the other end of scale, the vast space. The space is unlimited in size; at least we have not been able to detect the end of space. It is empty, weightless, dark, cold. Yet, it provides the building molecules that formed, our Sun, our Earth, and ultimately us. There are still so much mysteries about the space. Therefore, artists have used their imagination to explore the space on behalf of the scientists.
Art Depicting the Vast Space 
Blade Runner(1982): Video Call
The first area of art is the TV and movies. As human technology advances, we flew out of Earth and enters the Space Age. However, our current technology can only take us so far; we cannot even send people to mars. But through movies like E.T, Star Trek, and various others, artists have showed us the space in their mind and solve the mysteries with their imagination. And some of those arts has given our technology a push. For example, in the movie Blade Runner in 1982, there was the idea of video calls which only took off in the last decade(Arnold).
Different Movies on Space

At the same time, scientists are also using art to re-enact those worlds that we do not have eyes on. We have discovered many planets far from Earth. To have a visual illustration, scientists have worked with artists to create pieces that hopefully resembles the planets. Although there are a lot of criticism about the accuracy of those drawings, given the fact that we cannot see them, these paintings are an envision of the scientists. Hence, even if they are not accurate, they may still be inspiring to others to work toward getting an actual look at those planets.
Same Planet Depicted by Different Artists


References:


Arnold, Nathanael. CheatSheet. "10 Science Fiction Movies That Accurately Depicts The Future". http://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/8-science-fiction-movies-that-accurately-predicted-future-technologies.html/?a=viewall Accessed May 31 2017

Greenfieldboyce, Nell. "Out Of This World: How Artists Imagine Planets Yet Unseen". http://www.npr.org/2016/10/24/495072203/out-of-this-world-how-artists-imagine-planets-yet-unseen Accessed May 31 2017

Griffin, Michael. Air & Space Magazine. "The Real Reasons We Explore Space". http://www.airspacemag.com/space/the-real-reasons-we-explore-space-18816871/ Accessed May 31 2017

Stepney, Susan. Guardian. "The Real Science of Science Fiction".  https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/jan/21/real-science-science-fiction-sf-scholar Accessed May 31 2017

Wired. "The 12 Greatest Challenge For Space Exploration".  https://www.wired.com/2016/02/space-is-cold-vast-and-deadly-humans-will-explore-it-anyway/ Accessed May 31 2017

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 1, 2017 at 12:15 AM

    Space is always a topic that interests me very much. The representation of space in movies is very enlightening, as you have pointed out. Movies enable people who are far from knowing space technology to get a hint of human discovery in the space. Though some of the depiction is misleading, movies in general stimulate people's interest in the space.

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