ON ARTWORKS AND SPACE TRAVELLERS

摘要

This paper describes the implementation of works of art into future space habitats and the possible benefits for the 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 extensive literature about humans in extreme environments. Within this frame, the paper outlines intersections of artistic and scientific interrogations appropriate for concerted research. The five topics covered are characterised as Limitlessness, Placelessness, Sensorialness, Homelikeliness, and Closenessness. The ‘Artwork of Limitlessness' presents a supportive aid for human cognition under conditions of weightlessness and multidirectionality. The newly designed forms in this artistic prototype aspire to release the individual from his or her internalised search for bodily orientation. The ‘Artwork of Placelessness' compensates for the enormous interplanetary distance through comparisons between the ‘here' and ‘there'. These are triggered by depictions 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 stimulating the space traveller's senses. The ‘Artwork of Homelikeliness' structures daily life onboard and distracts crew and spacefarers from their confined and monotonous living situation. This artwork offers social activities that enable normality 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 effective aesthetical tools. These novel works of art can provide astronauts with relaxation and significant occupation. They follow human needs and can counteract spatial disorientation, sensorial and/or social under-stimulation, as well as the Earth-out-of-view phenomenon. In additional to these benefits, artistic applications will provide the cosmic recipient with objects of reflection that reconnect the astronaut with Earth and its unique phenomena; qualities that are interpreted as beneficial while being off the planet.