This week’s subject is a sum of all
the parts we have discussed this quarter! Art is seen in virtually every
science field and studying space can be overwhelming because we seem so small
in comparison to our universe. The sky,
stars, planets, orbits, all are so far and vast it is difficult to wrap your
head around. This cosmic ocean is incredibly unique and complicated. I am
especially thankful for astronauts who study and visit these realms outside our home.
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NASA is a
huge organization in space intelligence. July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong stepped
foot on the moon and planted an American flag, forever changing education
and human imagination. The wok NASA has done and is working on involves both
saving money and supporting more equipment and weight for a future trip back to
the moon (Moskowitz). Currently there are robots and machines in space taking
photos, such as the photo here of the Curiosity Rover on Mars. This robot landed
on Mars August 2012 (NASA). It is studying, “the
Martian
climate
and
geology;
assessment of whether the selected field site inside Gale Crater has ever
offered environmental conditions favorable for
microbial life, including
investigation of the
role of water;
and
planetary
habitability studies in preparation for future human exploration” ("Curiosity
(rover)"). The US has collected amazing images form this excursion as well
as more insight on outer space and the life outside our own small realm called planet earth.
There are
so many extraterrestrial movies, which spark imagination. This “alien” monster
character has consumed society and fiction products for ages. E.T. was one of
the first of these films I remember. It definitely was a childhood favorite for my two older brothers and me.
However, with this Curiosity Rover we have yet to discover life outside planet Earth. Earth is unique in its ability to hold and sustain life. Ultimately, NASA wants to make it
extremely cost efficient and of course extremely safe for the general public to take trips to
the moon as part of their private travel or vacation if they so chose to. The future of space science is unfathomable and constantly growing just like every area of science we have covered in this quarter. Art plays a major role in the final products of science which is what appeals to society on an unconscious level. The more artistic and innovative the more talk, popularity and advertisement of a product. The dynamics between the science world and art world have been enlightening to study and impossible to separate now!
Resources
"Curiosity (rover)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity_(rover)>.
Moskowitz, Clara. Staff Writer. "40 Years After Moon
Landing: Why Is It So Hard to Go Back? | Space.com." N.p., n.d. Web. 26
May 2015. <http://www.space.com/7015-40-years-moon-landing-hard.html>.
NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html>.
Vesna,
Victoria. "Space Pt4." YouTube. YouTube, 30 May 2012. Web. 26 May
2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ClKO6AJPo>.
Vesna,
Victoria. "8 Space Pt2 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2013.
Web. 26 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLZMDpoP-u0>.
Today I visited the Paul J. Getty Museum on a Tuesday
afternoon and it was beautiful. I didn't realize how close it was to
campus. It was quiet and serine up there. I would love to go back and stay
longer. We parked and took a train up to the museum. The sun was out and the
air was clear. I could see downtown LA, Beverly Hills, campus and all the way
to the coast. It reminded me of how incredible it is that I go to school in Los
Angeles. There are mountains and beaches and cultures. What more could
you want and how cool I get to study the art and science of it for a
class. 
Art and science meet through photography and are clearly seen in the Light, Paper, Process exhibit but another aspect I loved were the views. These alone should be a reason for people to visit the Getty. Every UCLA student should visit at least once before they leave this city. The resources we have around us are unlike any other and we need to use them to the best of our ability. This course has taught me about a world I knew nothing about and forced me to educate myself on the massive connection between art and science. Professor Vesna has pushed my creativity and getting out and experiencing these art cultures has been the most effective way of learning for me. 
