Space Messengers - STEMarts lab

Space Messengers is an Immersive Mixed Reality installation and international youth exchange exploring the universe through art, science and technology. This participatory installation visualizes thought-provoking reflections on the universe, encouraging participants to contemplate their role within it. Space Messengers evolved from an interdisciplinary collaboration among artists, scientists, interdisciplinary experts and youth ambassadors. Together we explore how the arts, humanities, philosophy, astrophysics, particle physics and space technologies can deepen our understanding of the universe and expand our identities as planetary citizens. Space Messengers serves as a powerful tool to ignite scientific curiosity and wonder, while giving voice to our youth leaders in rural and tribal communities in New Mexico and around the world.

INTERACTIVE PROJECTION WALL

The interactive projection wall is a large scale projection that integrates the videos and messages collected through the workshop. As you approach, watch as your silhouette dances with the cosmos, and then zooms into a universe of video clips created by students, artists, scientists, and cultural experts. These videos are a sneak peek into our interdisciplinary discussions, where science meets art and we contemplate our place in the universe and imagine a sustainable interplanetary future on earth.

See it in Action

data visualization

The Space Messengers data visualization platform displays the messages collected from the youth workshops and live audience. Read the collective space messages as they float up the wall. Share your thoughts about the universe and your messages become part of a global database as Space Messengers embarks on its worldwide journey, collecting voices from our youth and communities. Scan our QR code to send your own space message and watch in awe as it instantly appears in the projection.

Avatar Scientist Station

The Avatar Scientist station makes science accessible through virtual identities. Participants interact with astrophysicists beamed in as avatars. They approach the webcam, ask burning questions about the universe, and witness the astrophysicists’ real-time responses. Check out the Youtube channel of Avatar Dr. Andrea Albert, LANL astrophysicist, Other guest Avatars include Dr. Julia Bluebird, NRAO astrophysicist and Dr. Steven Goldfarb, CERN physicist. Watch a live recording from the event in Guadalajara Mexico.

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VIRTUAL REALITY STATIONS

This immersive VR experience explores our relationship to earth from space, as a way to contemplate our place in the universe and deepen our stewardship to planet earth. Discover the universe through the work of VR artists that will expand your mind and at the same time connect you more deeply to planet earth. Our Space Messengers VR world is also a social platform that allows youth and audience to collectively experience the livestream of the projection during events.

See the experience

space messengers [AR]

Space Messengers[AR] represents the latest installation in the Space Messengers project. Physics and art both explore deep questions about the universe and the origins of our existence. As part of a FRA guest artist residency at Fermilab we are expanding our scope to include a series of curated augmented and mixed reality sci-art interventions. These interventions examine the convergence of physical and virtual spaces. Check out our inaugural AR experience designed specifically for the ACSP Space Regulatory Bootcamp, where we started exploring this new medium. Thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts for a grant that is allowing us to develop this new technology.

Explore

space curriculum

Teachers and students that contributed content that became part of the Space Messengers installation participated in a 7-week sci-art space-themed curriculum to explore at the intersection of art and humanities, science and technology. Teachers implemented the standard-aligned curriculum in their classroom. This curriculum is now available for free access to anyone interested in exploring the universe through interdisciplinary speakers and STEAM activities.

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