ON ARTWORKS AND SPACE TRAVELLERS

摘要

This paper describes the implementation of works of art into future space habitats and the possible benefits forthe astronaut. Hereby, it questions the potentials of artworks to help long-term astronauts to cope with physical,psychological and socio-psychological constraints they are likely to experience and are discussed in the extensiveliterature about humans in extreme environments. Within this frame, the paper outlines intersections of artistic andscientific interrogations appropriate for concerted research.The five topics covered are characterised as Limitlessness, Placelessness, Sensorialness, Homelikeliness, andClosenessness. The ‘Artwork of Limitlessness' presents a supportive aid for human cognition under conditions ofweightlessness and multidirectionality. The newly designed forms in this artistic prototype aspire to release theindividual from his or her internalised search for bodily orientation. The ‘Artwork of Placelessness' compensates forthe enormous interplanetary distance through comparisons between the ‘here' and ‘there'. These are triggered bydepictions of earthly places, which are meaningful to the cosmic recipient and provide a virtual closeness. The‘Artwork of Sensorialness' transfers elements of Earth's natural environment into the space habitat, thus stimulatingthe space traveller's senses. The ‘Artwork of Homelikeliness' structures daily life onboard and distracts crew andspacefarers from their confined and monotonous living situation. This artwork offers social activities that enablenormality despite isolation and outdoor danger. The ‘Artwork of Closenessness' stimulates self-entertainment.Effective artworks will give the individual privacy and contact with the self.The result of the paper shows that on the foundation of the identified categories artworks can become effectiveaesthetical tools. These novel works of art can provide astronauts with relaxation and significant occupation. Theyfollow human needs and can counteract spatial disorientation, sensorial and/or social under-stimulation, as well asthe Earth-out-of-view phenomenon. In additional to these benefits, artistic applications will provide the cosmicrecipient with objects of reflection that reconnect the astronaut with Earth and its unique phenomena; qualities thatare interpreted as beneficial while being off the planet.