Ekaterina Smirnova

PROPOSAL for
"From Giotto to Rosetta" 50th ESLAB Symposium

Abstract Subject: Exploring 67P through art

Abstract:
It is not a secret that art often inspires science and vice versa. I am an artist, who is deeply inspired by science. For over a year, since the landing of the robotic probe Philae on the comet I have been working on an art project called 67P. 

Having a goal of discovering our place in the universe, I chose ESA’s Rosetta mission as a successful example of such discovery. Basing my art projects on science I try to share scientific research with my viewers, hoping to inspire them to appreciate science. By building an interest in this impressive mission I hope to stimulate the public to think deeper about the importance of cosmic research and therefore, perhaps, spark a desire to participate in the exploration of space.

Exploratory science, such as cometary science, is a creative pursuit. However, by focussing on the logic, the details, the numbers it might happen that the overall beauty, the wonder of what’s in front of us is overlooked. The problems that we attack so diligently always have another side: the grace of the object explored. From the point of view of an artist, who is focusing on visual and aesthetic aspects of 67P, I would be negligent if my art ignored the "science". To me representing the beauty and research are equally important. Just as my art is informed by the science, I believe that science can also benefit from art. 

During my presentation at the symposium I would like to expand the dialogue to include art and aesthetics. I invite the participants to take a short break from data and equations and enjoy the undefinable charm of the comet through the lens of art and create inspirational reciprocity in between two spheres, creative and scientific.

New ideas often originate when two vocabularies are smashed together. By merging art and science, we should be able to create something beyond the mechanical and towards the meaningful. Via this path we perhaps will be able to get a new way of exploring the topic of cometary science.

For my project inspired by the 67P mission I focus on the water found on the comet. In my art studio I re-create water that is close in composition to the water on the comet, by enriching it with D2O. With this water I paint large scale paintings, based on the photographs by Rosetta. D2O does not effect my paint in any way, but it does provide another way to entice the audience to blend between the art and science. When displaying my works, I share the process of electrolysis which I use for concentrating the level of D2O for the water I paint with and explain its significance. From my experience, the audience is always interested in both sides of the project, the scientific and the creative. And in my opinion, both of the aspects are meant to go along together. 

I believe that science should be accessible to everyone and this will help to grow a successful generation. So I urge for artists to be invited to become a part of scientific research, which will not only lead to the growth of public interest in the science via arts, but will help both spheres to benefit from one other.

Displaying (posters):
For the duration of the Symposium I would like to display some of the paintings and sculptures of the project 67P, which will be accompanied by the music, remixed from the sound of the evaporating from the comet 67P water and a video, demonstrating the creative process of painting 67P. 

If requested, I can prepare a slide show-demonstration/talk or poster on the subject.

To see more work, please visit my website:
ekaterina-smirnova.com

Ekaterina Smirnova

New York based artist
k.a.smirnova@gmail.com
+1 917 331 2290

ekaterina-smirnova.com

Working on the project 67P. 2014 – 2015