Constellation Columbia

 

‘Constellation Columbia’ is an autonomous space monument inspired by the writing s of J.G. Ballard. The scale/model/prototype seen on the Culture Show incorporated simple audio/radio recording and transmission, gyroscopes, gravity switches and light sequencers. The work is being developed for inclusion in future zero gravity flights with the aspiration for a full scale release from the International Space Station.

‘Constellation Columbia’, prototype monument for ‘Dead Astronauts/Cosmonauts’.

A survey of Arts Catalyst’s pioneering zero gravity projects carried out over the last 10 years. Beginning with a contextual overview, the book traces the development of the projects and discusses the collaborations with Kitsou Dubois and Imperial College’s BioDynamics group, and the inauguration of the MIR (Microgravity Interdisciplinary Research) consortium which gives international artists the opportunity to carry out individual projects in zero gravity. The book contains essays by Eduardo Kac, Marina Benjamin, Rob la Frenais, Kodwo Eshun, with an introduction by Nicola Triscott. It features projects by Kitsou Dubois, Mike Stubbs, Ansuman Biswas and Jem Finer, Andrew Kotting, Dr Antony Bull, Morag Wightman, Louise K Wilson, Flow Motion, Marcelli Antunez Roca, i-DAT, Otolith Group with Richard Couzins, Yuri Leiderman, Vadim Fishkin, Marko Peljhan, Dragan Zivadinov, Andrei and Julia Velikanov, Mikhail Ryklin, and Dr Rebecca Forth.

https://www.artscatalyst.org/zero-gravity-cultural-user%E2%80%99s-guide-2005

 

https://www.artscatalyst.org/attention-weightlessness

Zero Gravity Robot. Commissioned by The Arts Catalyst. as part of the. MIR Campaign 2003 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Russia. MIR Campaign 2003 supported by the European Commission Culture 2000 Fund.

With thanks to Sam Kinsley, Max Phillips for fabrication.

Constellation Columbia, model/prototype, 2003. Zerogravity, A Cultural User’s Guide. The Arts Catalyst. 2005. Page 84-85 ISBN 0-9534546-4-9.

Zero Gravity: A Cultural User’s Guide
ISBN 978-0-9534546-4-8
Edited by Nicola Triscott and Rob La Frenais
Published by Arts Catalyst, 2005
Colour and monochrome, 98 pages, soft back
Dimensions 250mm x 250mm
Weight 510g
£15.00

Buy online at Cornerhouse Books

Deshmukh, S. Phillips, M. Bugmann, G.  2007. Self orientation of robot in zero gravity environment using optical camera and reaction torque of electric motors.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CULTURAL UTILISATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. Arts Catalyst. The Science-Art Agency. 2006.

READ ME:

03/04/2003

Nicola Triscott <nicola@artscatalyst.org>
5 Meadow Close, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3HZ

PROTOTYPE # 1: CONSTELLATION – COLUMBIA:

MODEL OF A SPACE MONUMENT

I-DAT: WWW.i-DAT.ORG

1: POWER…

2: LED…

3: GYROSCOPE…

4: AUDIO…

5: GYROSCOPE…

6: RADIO…

  1. A) Simply click the red ‘ON’ switch and release into the environment…
  2. B) Battery life is aprox 1 hour in total.

C)Please conserve energy by switching off when not in use.

  1. D) To stop vibrating gyroscopic modules tilt to deactivate mercury switches.
  2. E) Extend aerial on module 6: Please tune radio to appropriate static source.