Cultural Artifacts
For my exploration, I have chosen Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ and the song ‘Space Oddity’ by David Bowie. ‘Starry Night’ is a painting crafted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889, and it essentially showcases a turbulent night sky filled with stars and a glowing moon above a quiet town. For illustration purposes, the painting is shown in Figure 1 below.
In contrast, ‘Space Oddity’ is a song by David Bowie – it was initially released in 1969, and it narrates the tale of an astronaut’s journey into space. The Netherlands, specifically the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy, is the cultural location where van Gogh created ‘Starry Night.’ David Bowie was a British musician who composed ‘Space Oddity’ in London during the space race era.
Common Theme
A common theme between these two artifacts is the vastness and mystery of the universe, and they are interestingly combined with a sense of solitude and contemplation. In ‘Starry Night,’ this theme is visually depicted through swirling stars in the night sky, which dwarf the town below. ‘Space Oddity’ conveys this theme through the astronaut’s journey, where he finds himself detached from Earth and immersed in the vastness of space; thus, both artifacts evoke a sense of wonder.
Personal Experience
The theme of space, cosmos, and stellar objects has always made me realize my smallness in the eternal unknowns of the universe. As a result, I have always been fascinated and breath-taken by everything related to the exploration of space and other worlds, which is why this theme is attached to it. My interest began when my parents took me to a planetarium, and since then, I have been reading encyclopedias and watching movies about the universe.
Profession
The theme of space and the vastness of the universe has a significant impact on the profession of astronomy. Astronomers continually work with the mysteries of the cosmos through their extensive observations and studies. A proper understanding of the humanities – music and art – can offer these professionals novel perspectives on the emotional as well as philosophical dimensions of space exploration. Both ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Space Oddity’ focus on the wonder and solitude of the universe, which is why these pieces of working knowledge from the humanities can enable depth and richness of experience for astronomers.
Humanities Resources
Many sources can be used to analyze the selected theme and artifacts. The first one is Irokanulo and Ngozi’s (2019) article, which focuses on the emotional and philosophical inspirations behind ‘Starry Night.’ It provides essential insights into Van Gogh’s mindset during the creation of this work.
In contrast, Bassett and Roberts (2019) explore the socio-political climate of the 1960s, which effectively explains how ‘Space Oddity’ emerged from the contemporary anxieties and hopes associated with space exploration. O’Connell et al. (2020) present an interdisciplinary approach by examining the parallels between art and science during times of great discovery and innovation. Thus, Irokanulo and Ngozi (2019) focus on philosophy, Bassett and Roberts (2019) reveal the sociopolitical context, and O’Connell et al. (2020) connect art with science.
The similarity lies in their emphasis on the profoundness of art in relation to the theme of space. They are relevant because they are tied to the selected theme and artifacts by providing additional information, and they are appropriate because they are scholarly. My thought process was to focus on various subjects in the humanities, including philosophy, history, politics, and education. I made choices based on the relevance and appropriateness of the sources found. I encountered a problem since many sources were not scholarly.
Research
The selected sources provide an in-depth context for both the artifacts and the theme. ‘Starry Night,’ as elucidated by Irokanulo and Ngozi (2019), reflects Van Gogh’s personal emotional turmoil during his time at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum – the vastness of the night sky served as his muse and escape. Bassett and Roberts (2019) discuss how Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ was born out of the space race era. Both artifacts employ symbols that convey a profound connection between humans and the universe.
Van Gogh’s moon, stars, and the swirling patterns in the painting symbolize both the magnificence of the cosmos and the artist’s internal whirlwind of emotions. Bowie’s solitary astronaut showcases a sense of detachment since the song mirrors societal anxieties about entering an uncharted realm of space exploration. While ‘Starry Night’ uses the canvas to depict the physical and emotional vastness, ‘Space Oddity’ uses lyrical narrative and auditory elements to capture the void of space and emotional distance. O’Connell et al. (2020) indicate that such mediums allow for an effective emotional transmission regarding the enormity of space. Through their respective media, both artists effectively emphasize the themes of solitude, wonder, and our small place within the expansive universe.
Thesis Statement
The vastness and mystery of the universe are depicted in ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Space Oddity’ to emphasize the human quest for understanding and connection in the context of profound solitude.
Audience
My message would be essential for individuals interested in interdisciplinary studies, especially those working in art, music, and astronomy; hence, they would find value in the exploration of both works and the theme. I also think that art historians and music enthusiasts would appreciate the in-depth analysis of these iconic pieces and their interconnected themes. In a practical sense, educators can benefit from this research by offering students an effective way to understand the humanities and sciences because O’Connell et al. (2020) state that art can enhance science education. However, professionals and students working in interdisciplinary fields related to science and art would still benefit the most from my research.
Message
I can tailor my message to my audience by starting with a theme introduction, followed by the artifacts, which will lead to their combined analysis. For example, when I reference specific insights from Irokanulo and Ngozi (2019) and O’Connell et al. (2020), I can provide a summary to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Whenever I mention specialized art or music terminology, I should take a moment to explain it in simpler terms so no one feels left out. I also want to communicate effectively, which means engaging all the senses of my listeners; hence, I will show ‘Starry Night’ and play the song ‘Space Oddity.’
Bassett and Roberts (2019) can be an essential source of contextual analysis, as it will enable my audience to understand the sentiments driving the song. It can also be used to reflect on Van Gogh’s space theme. Ultimately, my focus will remain on the universal themes of wonder and solitude that both Van Gogh and Bowie explored.
References
Bassett, C., & Roberts, B. (2019). Automation now and then: Automation fevers, anxieties and utopias. New Formations, 20(98), 9-28.
Irokanulo, I. E., & Ngozi, N. J. (2019). Phenomenology theories and painted objects from Vincent Van Gogh, Gani Odutokun and Irokanulo Emmanuel: A critical assessment in modernistic philosophy of image and text. Arts and Design Studies, 77, 38-44.
O’Connell, K. B., Keys, B., Storksdieck, M., & Rosin, M. (2020). Context matters: Using art-based science experiences to broaden participation beyond the choir. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 10(2), 166-185.
Van Gogh, V. (1889). Starry night [painting]. MoMA, New York, NY, United States.