INTERACTIONS REFLECTANCE CUBE |
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AN IMPRINT IN EVERY REALM - A Vision Connecting Humanity Across Borders, Space and Time
TO THE MOON- AN ART AND SCIENCE COLLABORATION
The Interactions Structure & Reflectance cube is a part of the Moon Gallery, the first permanent extra-terrestrial art gallery which aims to travel to the Moon no later than 2025. The gallery integrated into a 10 by 10 grid tray comprising 100 micro, highly concentrated ideas from around the world will convey universal values that will serve as seeds of a future interplanetary culture with art becoming the language of inclusivity and diversity as humanity expands into the solar system.
The creation of the Structure and Reflectance cube was a collaboration between Lakshmi Mohanbabu and scientists at NTU, with the technology team led by Prof. Matteo Seita from the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, NTU, of Karl A Sofinowski, Jude E Fronda, Nair Adarsh R and Mallory Wittwer.
Supported by NTU (Nanyang Technological University), NAMIC (The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster) and NRF (The National Research Foundation).
The creation of the Structure and Reflectance cube was a collaboration between Lakshmi Mohanbabu and scientists at NTU, with the technology team led by Prof. Matteo Seita from the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, NTU, of Karl A Sofinowski, Jude E Fronda, Nair Adarsh R and Mallory Wittwer.
Supported by NTU (Nanyang Technological University), NAMIC (The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster) and NRF (The National Research Foundation).
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ON the International Space Station (iSS) 21 February 2022
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The 'Structure and Reflectance cube’ is part of the Moon gallery experimental payload that flew to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the NG-17 rocket within the framework of a Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply mission on 19 February 2022. The Cygnus spacecraft docked with the ISS, the final frontier of human habitat, on 21 February 2022: https://youtu.be/L8Cmh4n-0jA.
The gallery returned to Earth on 10 January 2023 aboard the Space X CRS 26 Dragon Spacecraft after 10.5 months in Space. undocking from the International Space Station on Jan 9 and splashing down in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida. This Test Flight, in collaboration with Nanoracks, was a precursor mission, contributing to an understanding of the future possibilities for art in space and strengthening cooperation between the art and space sectors. On its flight to the International Space Station and back to Earth, the Moon Gallery was a part of the Nanolabs technical payload serving as a target for observations and performance tests allowing for a learning experience about the performance of the artworks in space, and the result of these observations that will serve as a source of a precious learning experience for future space artists. Track the International Space Station. |
THOUGHTS - VISION
In a world driven by collaboration, communication, and interaction, we are empowered to explore the real, the imagined, and the unknown. Space may one day become our home! Every perception, thought, and expression we form is shaped by the influences of our environment and the vast Universe, defining who we are. Materials, much like people, possess complex structures shaped by their history and the sequence of processes that form their essence and uniqueness. This duality of structure and reflectance embodies the unifying message of an interconnected world and the fusion of art and technology. The Structure & Reflectance Cube serves as a profound symbol of humanity, placed on the Moon to transcend barriers of race, gender, age, geography, and ideology—offering an eternal message of unity that connects people from all walks of life.
INTERPRETATION
Destined for the Moon, the Structure & Reflectance Cube draws inspiration from the Moon's duality and changing phases. Our understanding of this duality is rooted in the familiar near side, always visible, and the enigmatic far side, unveiled only through space exploration. Our observations of the Moon’s phases are influenced by our viewpoint from Earth and the light source—the Sun. A defining feature of this artwork is the intricate interplay between art and technology, captured through these interpretations.
The duality is expressed through the complementary interdependent shapes of the Negative and Positive sides of the Interactions designs on each face of the cube. Just as the Moon’s far side remains hidden until illuminated, the metal of the cube reveals subtle truths when lit.
The concept of changing phases is illustrated through our evolving perceptions influenced by the viewpoint, light source, and the observed. Each of the cube's four faces features an “Interactions” design, showcasing two complementary sides composed of two crystals with distinct reflectivity. This reflectivity shifts with the observer's viewing angle and is accentuated by illuminating the cube with differently oriented light sources
This level of detailed control over the crystal structure of solids is achieved only with additive manufacturing technologies. The crystals — ingrained in the cube via LPBF (Laser powder bed fusion technology) — are revealed to the naked eye through the action of a corrosive agent.
The duality is expressed through the complementary interdependent shapes of the Negative and Positive sides of the Interactions designs on each face of the cube. Just as the Moon’s far side remains hidden until illuminated, the metal of the cube reveals subtle truths when lit.
The concept of changing phases is illustrated through our evolving perceptions influenced by the viewpoint, light source, and the observed. Each of the cube's four faces features an “Interactions” design, showcasing two complementary sides composed of two crystals with distinct reflectivity. This reflectivity shifts with the observer's viewing angle and is accentuated by illuminating the cube with differently oriented light sources
This level of detailed control over the crystal structure of solids is achieved only with additive manufacturing technologies. The crystals — ingrained in the cube via LPBF (Laser powder bed fusion technology) — are revealed to the naked eye through the action of a corrosive agent.
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PRIMARY
The first cube face is divided into two triangles and depicts the two faces of the Moon, one visible to us from the Earth and the other hidden from our view. |
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WINDMILL
The second cube face has two spiralling windmill forms, one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise, representing our existence, energy, and time. |
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DROMENON
The third cube face is a labyrinth form of nested squares, which represents the layers that we—as space explorers—are unravelling to discover the enigma of the Universe. |
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NAUTILUS
The fourth cube face reflects the spiralling form of our DNA that makes each of us unique, a shape reflected in the form of our galaxy. |
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Lakshmi Mohanbabu, Matteo Seita, Karl A Sofinowski, Jude Fronda, Nair Adarsh R, Mallory Wittwer
SUPPORT: National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF),
Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore)
SUPPORT: National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF),
Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore)
3D Printed cube 15cmX15cm - Windmill face
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3D Printed cube 15cmX15cm - View inside shows the same design
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3D Printed cube Nautilus face 15cmX15cm
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3D Printed cube polished 15cmX15cm
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STRUCTURE AND REFLECTANCE TEAM
From left to right: Matteo Seita, Jude E Fronda, Nair Adarsh R, Karl A Sofinowski, (Mallory Wittwer not in the photograph), Lakshmi Mohanbabu
From left to right: Matteo Seita, Jude E Fronda, Nair Adarsh R, Karl A Sofinowski, (Mallory Wittwer not in the photograph), Lakshmi Mohanbabu
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