Observing Space

Observing space BIO50 / Modern gallery, Ljubljana / disposition

...concept: finished...tech: in development "EMANCIPATORY UNIVERSALITY"    CONCEPT(for more info also see below: "Concept for constitution 2.0"!)  - simulation of "reinventing the utopia, sybolic coordinates of impossible",  "to cut off even more this roots in nature...we should become more artificial...abstract universe - formulas..." (S.Žižek) - liberating us from our past, using trauma of past expirience to create more progressive society... (Malcom X) - usage of old space tech (balloon, radio waves, ...) - connecting to public, society  - creating an adaptable membrane between past and future - include old "iconic" existing building - a ruin - including public  

- using trauma of past as a point of emancipation  - setting a surface for video and film projection or light-design - projection of possible space utopia (video: Daniela, film: Joseph&Carlos, etc...)  - public enters balloon (presentation of other works...?!)  - performers are in the space between the ruin and membrane (video) 

TECH:  - low cost  - old, used smaller hot-air balloon in horizontal position  - balloon integrated inside an old ruin (or old house, like MAO castle - the bio50 site) nearly filling up the space of a room...  - new-made stairs or ramp to enter balloon (!? to remain original shape)  - possible adaptation of the entrance (added fabric...etc...?!)  - using hacked original balloon heater (inside) and gas to blow the balloon (heater visible inside)  - white color, +most translucent fabric possible  - projectors and light sources positioned in the "between space"

PROJECTING (video, film) ON BALOON - wind inside of baloon (functional and experience design) - creating some unexpected conditions for Earth, wind with circualting smoke in horizontal baloon - creating a space for contemplation, contemplating a constitution

ENTRANCE (through "ring with ventilators)

PERSPECTIVE VIEW - ENTRANCE GATE (with a ramp)

a capsule (a secondary wrapping): ...that is adaptable ...to different environments ...and uses environment as a primary wrapping

By integrating a shelter membrane/capsule inside of an old ruin (house,...) we provide a space out of this World - within the Space.    Membrane could be defined as a metaphor for curvature of space and not as an object itself (ref. to A.Einstein).    This also reflects newer theories about "space as a projection", as we could project video material on membrane.    The inside can be used to present different media formats regarding "observing space" topic.    We use the old ruin as a main construction and shelter (or as an outside shell) and inhabit it from inside (but covering the inside with capsule/membrane) which means to:   - inhabit random places (ref. to cosmopolitanism)  - live in extreme conditions (space)  - we regard "the ruin" as an abstract tribute to the past - our wound, an atavistic remain, experience and trauma - that enables us to develop and build more emancipatory universality (ref. to social revolutions, Malcolm X)  - we include broader public regarding: social problematics, spatial problematics (ref. to sci-fi as a social critique)    To use the inside membrane/capsule means to:  - experience an abstract space-like-station (a "Space-space") experience  - abandon "nature" to gain more objective overview ("overview effect" and ref. to S.Žižek - Examined life)  - devote to art and science - research out of our World  - leave the World to search for space within ourselves (ref. to The mental Universe by Richard Conn Henry)  - cut ourselves of this World to build a new one - more progressive one (ref. to S.Žižek - Ideology of violence)    The membrane/capsule is:   A: a gadget that could be developed to carry functional installations (insulation, water, drain, air filters, solar energy source): hi-tech fabric; wc/sink unit; compact recuperator, solar panel.  B: a non-functional poetic abstract design/element/scene  ...  - adjustable to average sized spaces  - is cheap to execute as a non- functional prototype (only as a scene)  - designed considering some functional and constructive logic  - is inspired by low-tech DIY scenography, hi-tech functional space capsules and simulators  - inspired by problematics of size and scale,   - inspired by abstract perception of the shape of Space.  - is designed as a light membrane/capsule   - is possible to be used as a projection surface  - is able to transmit great light source from all the directions to "blind" the visitors(?) as an opening levitation (or take-off) effect and than make presentations and performances (?)... 

Andrej 

Interface for constitution:  - proposal 1.0:

Constitution presented via sound (a narrative speaker or more of them, we can work on sounds here...) inside a multi-user pool. So you dive in - experiencing "out of this world" kind of circumstances.  This interface gives you an opportunity to meditate on the presentation of constitution.  As an after-effect you would experience a critical and more objective view to our reality after leaving this interface. So, we could design "a chamber for the congress of Euro-pia"... I THINK THIS CONCEPT MAY COMBINE OUR COMMON INTERESTS ("A chamber for the congress of Europia"): Now, lets imagine that we could provide this kind of an environment for the politicians, future politicians and civilians interested in constitution. An "Euro-pian" parliament would look like a giant pool and Members of parliament would lie exposed, but connected, floating, debating and making decisions. So it is a proposal for a bigger concept - presented on a smaller scale. At the same time it is an independent autonomus interface project for our constitution! So this "small simulation" of pool could be 

- filled with something thicker than water, something that enables feeling of levitation, or only very salty water (it is cheap...).If we have salty water we will need waterproof vests for our politicians.But if we have some kind of gel-substance it could be even good for their skin , and transmission of sound...?- all filled with nutrients that they absorb while pondering and meditating on decisions... It could be a techno-psychological machine for improving decisions and - of course - presenting our constitution!...detection of your interests (only by me):- Miha Turšič: it is a critical statement to the conditions on Earth.- Konstantin Potocnik: Why, after all, do we choose to go into space in the first place? ...believing that persistent struggle and striving gave purpose to our existence...modifying existing habitats through terraforming or other means.... the creation of a multitude of separate biospheres ensures us against collective disaster, whether natural or man-made. In terms of human liberty, freedom is enhanced and diversity encouraged as we experiment with new societies separate from those on Earth...Joseph Popper : maybe this installation could be the prototype to answer your question: Should the future of human presence in space be a collective or individual endeavor? And what are the implications of either emphasis?Mats Horbach andRogier Arents: creating possible scenario or circumstances for future existence; and Daniela De Paulis:could be also involved in sound and noises that supported audio presentation of constitution.Pomme Van Hoof: ...it is a tool for audience (or politicians) to produce ideas...In David Byrne’s book “How music work”...we could create sounds adopted to travel through liquid (..as Byrne defines music adapted to circumstances)...it is a also an event design...Tanja Grosman: could maybe develop this pool also as a performative and interaction design for the other outside observers - If i understand your interests: Cyclique,...?Tuuli Pöllänen: could you maybe analyze the pschological view of this design and this kind of interaction on decision making...or consensus making?Andy Gracie: maybe this could be a kind of dis-centered system that interest you? Maybe dis-centered in a way that larger concept is presented - everybody can join in and we have many interactive modules that are connected and can connect to the whole...?First we do the constitution part: Erazem Bohinc & the rest...Then, those of us who have more experience in execution would take that part, others who are more design experienced woud make presentations and the rest would function like "client" - bringing proposals and organizing execution, presentation...???I APOLOGIZE if I was a bit superficial in interpreting your interests. I just had an idea that this could be a concept that would connect us all (if I maybe left somebody out - not on purpose...just fast posting, I INVITE ALL TO JOIN!)

Approach to Observing Space for BIO50

As a point of departure for this project, for me the audience of the BIO50 plays an important role. I’m interested in shaping peoples experience by providing a framework, a “pair of glasses” through which to look and see things differently. When the role of the designer has shifted from not only producing objects, but also producing ideas, we can even take this further to providing tools for an audience to produce ideas. This means that im aiming for gaps in my work, spaces for the public to come and fill in. Im not looking to design something that is, but rather something that could become many things, and which needs the audience in order to do so.

As our topic of Space is very abstract I see it as an interesting challenge to guide people into our world, make them accompany us in our journey to Europia in various ways.  I will approach the topic by borrowing from various disciplines such as neuroscience, immersive theater, experience design, art, performance, technology, psychology to create new understanding of perception, emotion, imagination and empathy.

Starting point as defined during BIO 50 meeting in Ljubljana (at least my interpretation of it) : What does it mean to be human in space?

This project is an exploration of the human being in and travelling through space. Unlike most other efforts in exploring space which are highly scientific and technological, we like to look from a mere philosophical, cultural, psychological, existential and artistic perspective, in order to broaden our understanding of what it means to the human being and to human culture to be in space.

My approach to the Constitution of Europa: From Social reality to fictional possibility - Europia as a tool for thinking alternatives

I am interested in the way the constitution could be build up, as a open model which engages the public to think about certain topics. (perhaps related to the categories of BIO50). Could the constitution play a role in engaging the audience? The European constitution on earth has failed and many lost faith in Europe , maybe our Europian constitution could have the role of capturing peoples wishes, ideas and ideals for an alternative. This way it serves a role as Utopia and offers us a glimpse of another world that doesn’t yet exist, that is different from, and better than, the world as we know it now. But what is better exactly?

Imagining and articulating Utopia is ultimately a way of reflecting on ourselves today, informing us about what is on our mind, and puts us in a context of endless other possible ways of living. Maybe the act of portraying our thoughts on a world far away from ours, where earths rules don’t apply and where conditions are so different from what we know, could help us truly think out of the box, and come up with endless possible ways of living and being.. Could there be a return of fantasy in progressive politics? Could Europia be a testlab, a place for experiment?

There is a great value in thinking possible worlds or futures out loud. As Stuart Candy formulates this:

 “Our sense of both ‘probable’ and ‘preferable’ futures is invisibly hemmed in by an underdeveloped sense of the possible, which has twin consequences: failure to perceive risk and hence take steps to avoid or mitigate them, and, more poignantly, neglect of horizons of positive potentials that could make the world better. For that reason addressing ourselves more effectively to the possible is the first step (but not the last) in improving collective foresight. “

The topic of outer space invites us to construct thoughts by looking at what we know and imagining what we don’t know yet.

“Possibities are a whole area of mental activity which lies between truth and total fantasy. It is a very rich area because for any one truth there are many possibilities. “ - Edward de Bono

For BIO50 I imagine a platform, either online or physically represented in the exhibition, where people can read the constitution, add lines to it, rank each other’s ideas. And maybe there could be a connection between the 12 categories of BIO50 and the constitution.

Project focus: A new notion of Public Space

When we talk about Public Space, most of us will think of public spaces on earth. But can we include “Outer Space” in our notion of Public Space? It doesn’t belong to anyone, but at the same time it belongs to everyone.

How can we, even if we are not able as individuals to physically travel into outer space, get the idea of belonging and claiming this space. I would like to explore possibilities of traveling through space and acting in Space, psychologically. How can we go there in our minds? (The constitution would be one way of doing this but I would like to explore multiple ways)

My Voice | Lundahl & Seitl

Providing Tools for Public Imagination

Space travel has been mainly something living inside the public imagination. Mankind has created images, stories and movies about space, always based on a mixture of facts and fiction. How can we explore space further through the public imagination? What kind of tools could I create for others to travel into space and have an experience of it?

Imagination comes with constraints, and just the right amount of it. I would like to see a framework, a scenario or a set of guidelines, in which certain elements of space travel are formulated by me as designer and to leave gaps that can be filled in by the viewer.

In order to do so, I like to explore different media types and formats.

There will always be a gap between what it would be really like travelling to Europia, or be a citizen of Europia and how we imagine it to be. This gap is also defined as the Experiential Gulf:

“‘The experiential gulf’, is the gap which inevitable stands between what a future is like in theory and what it’s like to live through in practice. This problem is considered from the standpoint of recent findings in neuroscience and psychology, concluding that ‘experiential scenarios, by including the lived, bodily, affective registers of the human processing system, may be implemented, to narrow this gap. “ - Stuart Candy 2010

In the past I have been exploring different ways in which we can create experiential scenarios. And I was planning to continue this research in the context of this project.

For example, a scenario could be to guide a visitor on a journey from earth to Europia. Or make them feel how it is to stand on Europia and be a tourist or a citizen.

I am exploring rule based scenarios, the potential of sound and movement, the possibility of language etc.

For example, by removing the element of vision, the work can be experienced in the audience imagination:

“ Sound has an innate ability to transport you out of your body, so if you give an audience various soundscapes you can transport them through their imagination into many different places” - Janet Cardiff

Janet Cardiff-The Forty Part Motet 

perception game

Capturing and showing the Public Imagination 

Another idea is not to only give the audience an experience but to actually collect and show what they imagined. The shown piece can be the collection of the public imagination.

I imagine collecting people’s imagination in for example letting them speak on film or writing and ask them what they experienced. If Europia is a place we can reach with our imagination, it could be build and transformed by the people who travel there in their minds.

  As a sum up, this is what I would like to add to our constitution:

Europa is both a real place and a place inside the public imagination

Europia is of no one and of everyone

Europia is Public Space

Until we can travel to Europa in real life we can travel there in our minds

Everyone can become a citizen or visitor of Europia

The constitution is existing of the contributions of all citizens

The constitution is not a fixed state but is ever evolving

Europia is a place for experiment, a testlab

Europia is a place for utopian promise

Europia reveals the values and principles of our times

BIO50 hosts the Europian Embassy

The embassy provides trips to Europia

Europia is a collective effort

The Observing Space team are the first citizens of Europia

  Relevant projects and artists I came across during researching these topics

Nowhereisland: art project, what if scenario, claiming an island, citizenship, collective, constitution, imagining alternatives. http://nowhereisland.org

Lundahl Seitl: neruoscience, contemporary art and immersive teater, intangibles, performative, audience as the medium, playing with space, time and perception. http://www.lundahl-seitl.com

Janet Cardiff; sound walks http://www.cardiffmiller.com/index.html

IMAGINARY REAL:

SYMBOLIC REAL:

REAL-REAL:

Regarding our last topic: "Projection of observation" I did a part of transcription of Slavoj Žižek`s "The Reality of the Virtual".

10:45 imaginary real: images which are so strong, so traumatic, to strong to be perceived – but still images (monsters, creatures too strong to be directly confronted), but nonetheless it is imaginary, because it is image that is too strong to be confronted.

symbolic real: it is for example scientific discourse, scientific formulas. Quantum physics. Formulas which work, but we can not translate them into our daily experience. It just works, but if you try to build a consistent ontology out of it you get meaningless results (time running backwards, parallel universes). You get things which are meaningless to our regarding notion of reality. Formulas – they function, it is a functioning machine, but we can not make any sense out of it, we can not relate it to our experience. Which is why we try so desperate to do it – we invent metaphors to imagine quantum universe, but IT CAN NOT BE DONE.

Lady Gaga will perform in Space on Richard Branson's flight in 2015

The Born this Way hitmaker is set to sing outside of the Earth's atmosphere next year following the launch of the flights - which will cost $250,000 per seat - and she is looking forward to using the opportunity to spread a 'message of love'.

She said: 'I honestly can't wait [to perform in space]. I can't wait to design the performance.'

'I'm auctioning off my second seat [on a Virgin Galactic flight] to raise money for the Born This Way Foundation. I want to make a moment that is about much more than me.'

similar to Tuuli's post ,  representing the vastness of our solar system in this case through ink there is something epic -in the literary sense- about the passing of the pages. a reading of space? a space onto which project narratives? a flip book? Voyager's diaries translated for humans? etc etc

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2267504/The-sealed-bottle-garden-thriving-40-years-fresh-air-water.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067756/

Another deep slice of it.  (Hubble)

"...Solving the riddle of purpose must underlie all our explorations. Why, after all, do we choose to go into space in the first place? Robert Jastrow could find meaning in the linkage between cosmology and the workings of evolution, believing that persistent struggle and striving gave purpose to our existence. Michaud looks toward the loss of energy and structure we call entropy and asks whether life and the intelligence that can grow out of it are the only chance to reverse entropy on a local scale, and in his memorable phrase, “to impose choice on inevitability....”

"...Expanding the economy beyond Earth’s limits allows us to surmount huge issues of resource depletion on the home world while developing new industrial processes in space. Earth’s energy demands can be met by abundant solar energy at the same time that we expand the human ecosphere to create new habitats beyond the Earth, perhaps modifying existing habitats through terraforming or other means. Moreover, the creation of a multitude of separate biospheres ensures us against collective disaster, whether natural or man-made. In terms of human liberty, freedom is enhanced and diversity encouraged as we experiment with new societies separate from those on Earth. All of these work together in shaping the extraterrestrial paradigm..."

from the always insightful Centauri Dreams.

Artist Ward Shelley and Alex Schweder’s “Social Relationship Architecture Project” constructs a fascinating view on how we come into contact with our surroundings, and their newest installation further explores that idea in a giant hamster wheel dwelling space.

In Orbit is essentially a two bedroom apartment, expect one is on the inside and one on the outside. The two men have decided to call this wheel-like structure, which features all the proper home furnishings and components they would need, home for 10 days. The desk, bed, chair and kitchen are mirrored inside and out; so when one needs to change his position, the other one needs to follow suit, or else the entire wheel will be out of balance.

To perfect this architectural performance, they need to do everything in an obsessively controlled way. But in doing so, their intuitive fight or flight response continuously kept them on their toes, afraid to make any uncoordinated movements.