Thoughts Turned into Projects

            

Walking into class and based on the last trip to planetarium we had few weeks back, I assumed that I walked into a 2-D sky diving experience – the audio, the visual, and the large empty space felt like it. However, I was not expecting at all to hear about rockets for peace. David Roy’s work is very unique and interesting. Not to mention that he is talented and creative – his short documentary film was very well done. He started presenting about BlackNASA by sharing its first logo back in 2016. It was during the previous elections time, and Roy stated that it was during these elections that racism arose again. So, the goal behind the logo is to work in a space agency without nationalism being involved because his initiative is to promote the use of rockets for peaceful purposes only. Due to the elections, he felt unwelcomed as he moved away from the coast. He discussed the process of his rockets making, and his experience is astonishing. I personally don’t know anything about rockets. BlackNASA- his work agency - conducts rocket science in a technical and social way. The fabrication, the design as well as the rockets’ launching – the entire process- means a lot to Roy and is impactful for his mission. His presentation was light-hearted, he mentioned funny and scary personal experiences that happened with him carrying his rockets from state to state – such as when he decided to take the rocket as a carry-on with him on the plane. He also showed pictures where he asked the public to participate in adding their peaceful message onto one of his rockets. The public was diverse of people coming from different backgrounds and speak different languages. This reflects his firm belief that art must be incorporated into our everyday life and in any shape or form and that it is a powerful weapon against oppression. He went through several trials and error to get to where he can safely and correctly launch his rockets successfully. His insistence is inspiring. He told the class that the highest rocket he flew was 12300 ft high! Lastly, the last picture is the most recent logo of BlackNASA. He mentioned that it is a friendlier version than the original one.

The interesting question asked was how eco-friendly is launching a rocket? It is known that rocket engines release trace gases into the upper atmosphere that contribute to ozone depletion. Roy answered that it depends on the mixture of substances that the rockets contains – referring to his rockets specifically – he said that they are eco-friendly and that he is always trying on using green substances. This is important to know that he takes it into consideration given that his mission is rockets for peace. I wanted to research this further and I found out that hybrid engines can use different types of fuels, but they always generate a lot of soot. Soot particles also known as black carbon can affect how the atmosphere absorbs heat, just like particles of aluminum oxide. They also can get injected into the higher layers of the atmosphere where they might remain forever, just like the aluminum oxide.

After Roy’s presentation, I checked out Choi’s exhibition about the dogs and the socks. I enjoyed hearing her explaining her set up and more specifically what inspired her to come up with this set up. It is so soothing to notice that in silence or when we spent some time alone, we can produce a unique creativity which can be enjoyable by others. I say this because I appreciated my backyard more during the pandemic and online classes because many pointed out that my background sounds always gave them vacation or relaxing time. This is why I decided to share in my 5-minute audio a snippet of what I hear in my backyard on any typical day. Although, I have not produced anything original and unique yet, but maybe one day...

 

Works cited:

Bengtson-Lykoudis, Kirsten. “How Los Angeles Artist and Performer David Roy Blasts into Outer Space.” Not Real Art World, 23 Aug. 2021, https://notrealart.com/david-roy/.

Choi, Eunice. “The Dog and the Socks - DMA Solo Exhibition.” UCLA Design Media Arts, 03 May, 2022. https://dma.ucla.edu/events/calendar/?ID=1214

Franklin-Cheung, Alexandra. “Are Space Launches Bad for the Environment?” BBC Science Focus Magazine, BBC Science Focus Magazine, 20 Apr. 2020, https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/are-space-launches-bad-for-the-environment/.

Pultarova, Tereza. “The Environmental Impact of Rocket Launches: The 'Dirty' and the 'Green'.” Space.com, Space, 28 Oct. 2021, https://www.space.com/rocket-launches-environmental-impact.

Roy, David. Peace Rocket III (Horus II-A). December 2018. https://www.m23.co/david-roy