Event 2: Cosmological Elements

On May 5th, I attended the third session of cosmological elements. This session focused on floating civilization which I thought was really interesting because it wasn't something I had quite thought of. Bringing together art and space science through astronomical data and elements and in this session we were in a standpoint of scientific perspective while looking at different building blocks. 

(WUR)

One argument that stood out to me in this session was how the complexity of scientific understanding frames knowledge and thinking as well as policies and decision-making. The different exhibits were fascinating, but one I really liked was "The Man in the Moon". The idea that moon geese are part of cosmological elements was really interesting because of the way they were incorporated. In the exhibition, we were shown what was built with the geese. This was also a thought experiment and showed how we can connect these other parts of life when we are thinking about space. 

(New Space Chicago)

Many of the projects within the exhibition were what the artists were passionate about and driven by, therefore reading their statements that come with the exhibition allowed us as the audience to see the integration that it has within science fiction and space ecologies. Using women in their exhibition was powerful and shifted the power behind the artwork. Designing her own space pioneer because women were not included in a space journey, her message to the public was moving and powerful.

(SEADS)

Email confirmation: 

Sources:

Collinge, Sharon K. Nature News, 2010, www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/spatial-ecology-and-conservation-13900969/.

Mayer, Ralo. “Beyond the Blue Marble: Artistic Research on Space and Ecology.” Acta Astronautica, vol. 128, 2016, pp. 573–579, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.08.015.

“Performative Ecologies 2020.” Ecoartspace, ecoartspace.org/performativeecologies.

Photos:

“BIOMODD [NYC4] 2011-2013_CENTRAL NETWORK INTERIOR ECOSYSTEM(01)_.” Seads, seads.network/image/7Hgk5hRyCAeHU2hwipXgjP.

“Deep Space Ecology Completes Phase 1 Funding!” NewSpace Chicago, 6 Dec. 2017, www.newspacechicago.com/2017/12/06/deep-space-ecology-funds-phase-1/.

“SG - Space Ecology and Post-Planetary Poiesis: Inoculating the Cosmos with Life.” WUR, 8 June 2021, www.wur.nl/nl/activiteit/SG-Space-Ecology-and-Post-Planetary-Poiesis-Inoculating-the-Cosmos-with-Life-1.htm.