The Collegian

Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News

Media Credit: psi.edu/hartmann "Homage to Bonestell" is Hartmann's tribute to the famous artist.

"If you can't paint it, you don't fully understand it," said William K. Hartmann, the senior scientist of the Tuscon-based Planetary Science Institute, as he presented on art inspired by the cosmos.

On Tuesday, November 17, Hartmann spoke in the Soda Center on "Exploring the Cosmos by Spacecraft and Paintbrush." He stated that by combining science and art, people are able to better understand "our place in the universe as human beings."

Hartmann, who is also an author and an artist, paints astronomical art. He said he "synthesizes discoveries to show what it might be like to be there." He showed several paintings, by artists Frederick Church, Albert Bierstadt, Andrew Hartmann, Claude Monet, Alan Bean, and Thomas Moran, among others, in addition to his own paintings.

Hartmann spoke extensively about Chesley Bonestell, who he described as "the father of space art." Bonestell was an architect in San Francisco, and helped to draft the Chrysler Building. He was also one of the highest paid special effects artists in Hollywood, and worked on movies like "Citizen Kane" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Hartmann crafted a painting, titled "Homage to Bonestell," in honor of the famous artist.

Hartmann also spoke about the physical characteristics of Mars, and how the planet has changed in the last four billion years. Four billion years ago, the planet was full of clays and hydrated minerals; however, in the last one billion years, it has become much drier, and rusted minerals and iron oxides have replaced the clays and hydrated minerals.

At the end of his speech, Hartmann said that through space art and rover photography, it is possible to "visualize our future." In an optimistic tone, he identified opportunities for renewable energy. He suggested putting solar panels in space, which could "microwave" the energy generated by free sunlight to collecting stations on Earth. He stressed the importance of letting the earth "relax to its natural state."

Attendees were able to visit the Hearst Art Gallery to view the "Out of This World: The Landscapes of our Solar System" exhibit, on display through December 13.

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