Blended Worlds: Bridging Art and Space Exploration in Glendale, California
The universe is an expansive and mysterious place, filled with countless celestial bodies and phenomena. Yet, an exciting new exhibit titled "Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination" at the Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale, California, seeks to make this vastness more tangible and relatable. Running from September 21, 2024, to January 4, 2025, this unique exhibition is part of the larger "PST ART: Art & Science Collide" event, an initiative presented by the Getty. This event features over 70 exhibitions across Southern California that explore the intersection of art and science.
Bridging the Gap Between Art and Science
"Blended Worlds" is a collaborative effort where artists have teamed up with scientists and engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The goal is to create interdisciplinary works that illuminate the mysteries of the universe by merging artistic creativity with scientific data. This fusion not only brings the wonders of space closer to the public but also enhances our understanding and appreciation of both art and science.
Dr. Laurie Leshin, the director of JPL, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "The magic of art is that it enhances our experiences and interactions with the world — and in this case, our universe. We’re honored to work with great artists to bring the wonders of space to our community through this exhibition, which invites us all to be part of a grand journey of exploration and discovery.”
Highlighted Works in the Exhibition
One of the standout installations in the exhibit is David Bowen’s "tele-present wind." This piece features grass stalks attached to mechanical devices that tilt in response to wind data from Mars. This data was collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover mission. The installation was made possible through the efforts of Rishi Verma, a data systems architect at JPL, and José Antonio Rodríguez-Manfredi, the principal investigator of the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) system on Perseverance.
Another intriguing piece is "Seismic Percussion" by artist Moon Ribas. This installation translates seismic data from Earth, the Moon, and Mars into an interplanetary drum score. For the Mars data, Ribas collaborated with Nobuaki Fuji of the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, who worked on NASA’s now-retired InSight lander. Ceri Nunn, a planetary scientist at JPL, provided assistance with moonquake data.
The exhibition also features a handwritten version of "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa," penned by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. This poem is dedicated to NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, which is set for an October launch and will make multiple flybys of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The poem has been etched onto a metal plate on the spacecraft, symbolizing the union of art and space exploration.
Experiencing Earth and Beyond
In addition to these works, visitors can engage with other installations that provide immersive experiences. Some pieces allow visitors to experience Earth’s wonders through scents, while others use sound to convey the vast distances between our planet and those beyond our solar system. There are also installations that blend heartbeats and other earthly sounds with sonified data from Europa’s magnetic field, providing a multisensory experience of space.
David Delgado, a cultural strategist and project lead at JPL, highlighted the impact of these collaborations: “We were looking to create imaginative opportunities for people to connect with each other as they connect with the awe-inspiring science being conducted today. I know this experience has really opened the eyes of everyone collaborating on the project, and we hope it does the same for people who come to see ‘Blended Worlds.’”
Public Programs and Community Engagement
As part of the PST ART initiative, several public programs and community events will accompany the “Blended Worlds” exhibition. One notable event is "Blended Worlds: An Evening of Art, Theater, and Science," hosted by Reggie Watts at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on October 5. Another exciting event is "Earth Data: The Musical," an original musical developed by Theater Arts at Caltech. This musical, performed at Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium from November 1 to 3, explores the challenges of climate research and the human pursuit of science.
Support and Acknowledgements
The collaboration between artists and JPL scientists, and the subsequent display of their works at Glendale’s Brand Library, were made possible by the generous support of the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission and the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust.
About JPL and Glendale Library, Arts & Culture
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a division of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. Established in 1936, JPL built and launched America’s first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. Later that year, NASA was established by Congress, and JPL became an integral part of the agency. Over the years, JPL has managed numerous historic missions, including Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, the Mars Exploration Rover program, and the Perseverance Mars rover.
The Glendale Library, Arts & Culture department is dedicated to providing the community with access to a wide array of cultural, educational, and informational resources. The department supports the arts and fosters creativity through various programs and initiatives, including the support of exhibitions like “Blended Worlds.”
Conclusion
The "Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination" exhibit is a testament to the power of collaboration between art and science. By bringing together artists and scientists, the exhibition offers the public a unique opportunity to explore the universe in new and imaginative ways. Whether you are a science enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about the wonders of space, this exhibition promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring experience.
For more information about the exhibition and its associated events, please contact Matthew Segal or Melissa Pamer at JPL, Pasadena, California. You can reach them at 818-354-8307 / 626-314-4928 or via email at matthew.j.segal@jpl.nasa.gov / melissa.pamer@jpl.nasa.gov.
Don’t miss the chance to embark on this interplanetary journey of imagination and discovery at the Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale, California.
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