Art Lectures

My experience as a speaker dates back to my college days and my political activism. Some years after graduating I began to deliver presentations to community groups on the topics of astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. This was done initially as a spokesperson for the Northern Illinois Space Advocacy, the Planetary Studies Foundation, and the Chicago Society for Space Studies. I have also had the good fortune to have been able to develop and teach a number of courses for Chicago's Adler Planetarium, including a course on astronomical image processing. In 2002 I was selected to be a Solar System Ambassador for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and continue to provide presentations dealing with planetary science.

As my art became an increasingly integral part of my life, I began to give presentations that tied together my interests in art, space, astronomy, and computer graphics. Following is a list of my lectures that relate to art. The length of each lecture/presentation can be tailored to a groups particular needs. If you are a representative of a community organization, civic group, library, etc. and would like to book me for a presentation, please click the link below to send me an email.

Index of Lectures/Presentations

• Algorithmic Art: Where Art, Computers, and Math Collide
• The Art of Astronomy
• Art and the Exploration of Space
• The National Space Society Space Settlement Art Contest
• Imaging Mars

Algorithmic Art: Where Art, Computers, and Math Collide

The presentation Algorithmic Art: Where Art, Computers, and Math Collide deals with the history of that form of computer art known as algorithmic art. The compositions seen in algorithmic art are compared with minimalism, abstract expressionism, and geometric abstractionism. Examples of important works and computer artists illustrate how algorithmic art has evolved over time. The presentation concludes with a brief overview of several free computer graphics software products that can be used for the creation of algorithmic art.

The Art of Astronomy

The Art of Astronomy deals with the history and evolution of astronomical art. It discusses the differences between astronomical art, space art, and science fiction art and how each has influenced the other. Also addressed are the technological revolutions that influenced how artists depicted various heavenly bodies. The presentation concludes with a discussion of how anyone with a computer and internet access can download astronomical and planetary data from the various NASA space missions and create their own astronomical art.

Art and the Exploration of Space

Art and the Exploration of Space looks at the development of space art and how that art evolved over time to reflect the realities of aerospace engineering. Particular attention is paid to the means by which art is used to portray space exploration, from exploratory, educational, and inspirational perspectives. Also discussed is the NASA Art Program and NASA's recognition of the emotional impact of art vs photography.

The National Space Society Space Settlement Art Contest

The National Space Society Space Settlement Art Contest is a presentation about my experiences organizing and managing an art contest whose goals were to encourage artists to create space art, create a space settlement calendar featuring the contest's best art, and to create a unique collection of space art for the National Space Society's web site. The lecture includes a review of the 12 winning entries from the art contest.

Imaging Mars

Imaging Mars is a presentation created primarily for astronomy clubs and space exploration related conventions. This lecture deals with planetary image processing and how the raw data returned by the various robotic missions are digitally processed. Relevant elements of art theory are incorporated with respect to creating the most attractive image possible given the data constraints placed on the "artist".