Space and Technology and Art

In this last lecture, Dr. Vesna outlines how all of the science and technology that has been integrated into art thus far all helps build up to the exploration of space and its influence on the perseverance of technology and the extension of the artistic sphere.  While historical concerns and scientific development, starting with Copernicus, led to concerns with old ideals and customs, i.e. the Church and its belief that the Earth was the center of the universe; more recent scientific inquiry, like the space race, encouraged paranoia in the possibilities of scientific advancement. Although these concerns are valid, as the space race allowed for the further development of nuclear arms and therefore the destruction of two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the continued advancement of technology and potential for our societies expression/development is contingent on mediating the poor public image of scientific advancement and space discovery.

While in the Robotics lecture, the guest professor touched on the usage of science fiction anime/tv series to reintroduce nuclear technology in a more appealing manner (such as through astro boy shown below), the importance of science fiction as an artistic media to influence public opinion on technology reaches far beyond reintroduction and all the way into creative innovation.

As Dr. Vesna mentioned, The Fountains of Paradise, a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke in 1979, describes the construction of a space elevator linking the earth with a satellite in geostationary orbit using an "orbital tower".  While this, during its initial publication, seemed to be consistently fiction, Obayashi Corporation in Japan now believes that it can make Clarke's fiction a reality by 2050.  

As shown above, Obayashi Corp intends to integrate nanoparticle based materials and high technology design to manufacture this once science-fiction concept.

So with these realized potential technological advancements, it is more crucial than ever to look into the science fiction based medias of space.  Since space remains the "final frontier", novels like Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? have the potential to deeply effect the direction of developing technologies.  This novel specifically centers on the development of androids as personal assistants to incentivize the relocation of families from the overpopulated Earth to the seeded Mars.  While the android technology ends up developing motives of its' own in the science fiction novel, the concept of personal assistant based robots for aid in space exploration is  being realized currently by aerospace engineers.

References

Anders, Charlie. 'What H.G. Wells Got Wrong When He Predicted The Atomic Bomb'.io9. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 May 2015.

Obayashi.co.jp,. 'Obayashi Global'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 May 2015.

Uconlineprogram. “Robotics MachikoKusahara 1.” YouTube. YouTube, 14 Apr. 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2O5C0Iv6ROo#>.

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 3. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xCvFdfjj404>.

Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 5. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WnSUHMXBmdg#>

Wikipedia,. 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 May 2015.