In examining something as concrete and exact as space exploration, I wondered how art could have any effect on this field that seems to be purely science. However, after watching the lecture and further research, I realized that space exploration might not have been possible if it weren’t for art serving as propaganda. Art was the catalyst for this field of science.
In the 1950s, the idea of manned space travel was something that only existed in science fiction or our imaginations. During WWII, rocket power missiles were used as weapons by the Germans; so after the war, Americans though of rockets as just that: weapons. The government paid very little attention to the potential of this field, and necessary funds were not delegated. This all changed when Collier’s magazine released articles showing a detailed plan for manned space travel not far into the future; the articles explained how something like this could be accomplished with 1950s technology. Beyond the in depth description the complete possibility of space exploration, the magazine utilized extremely realistic illustrations of how this vision could come to be. The visualization of space stations, spacecraft, etc made the idea of space travel immediate and real. They sparked the desire within the public to go to space. Public opinion, in turn, helped to sway congress that a space program was worth funding.
Most technological advancements start from the imagination, and in this case, almost directly resulted from the influence of art. Without the concept art provided by artists such as Chesley Bonestell, Fred Freeman and Rolf Klep, we may have never reached space and all it’s possibilities.
Works Cited:
Boucher, Marc. "Space and Art." NASA Watch. Spaceref Interactive Inc., 30 May 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://nasawatch.com/archives/2013/05/space-and-art.html>.
Parker, Charley. "How Concept Art Helped Sell the U.S. Space Program | Tor.com."Tor.com. 2013 Macmillan, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2013. <http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/08/how-concept-art-helped-sell-the-us-space-program>.
"The Art of Chesley Bonestell." Bonestell.org. 2013 Bonestell LLC, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bonestell.org/>.
Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2013. <
Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 3. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2013. <
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