The City of Glendale’s Library, Arts & Culture Department, in partnership with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of Caltech and NASA’s research center, is presenting a new exhibition titled Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination. The exhibition opens on September 21, 2024, at the Brand Library & Art Center. This presentation is part of the Getty’s regional art initiative, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, which explores the fusion of art and science throughout history and into the future. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, September 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, providing guests with the first viewing of the exhibit.
Blended Worlds delves into the evolving relationship between humanity and the environment, as seen through the lens of art and science collaborations. The exhibition features a group of 11 artists working alongside JPL scientists and engineers to envision a future that emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature, fostering curiosity about Earth and the greater cosmos. The works showcased span a variety of media and artistic disciplines, offering thought-provoking pieces from David Bowen, Darel Carey, Ekene Ijeoma, Annette Lee, Ada Limón, Bruce Mau, Viktoria Modesta, Shane Myrbeck, Moon Ribas, Raffi Joe Wartanian, and Saskia Wilson-Brown.
Several pieces within the exhibition utilize public data from NASA missions managed by JPL, while others engage visitors through sensory experiences, such as sound and scent, to bridge the gap between Earth and the wider universe. For instance, one installation merges sonified data from Europa’s magnetic field with the sounds of Earth, including heartbeats. Another, by David Bowen, uses Martian wind data to move grass stalks attached to mechanical devices in his piece titled tele-present wind. Cyborg artist Moon Ribas presents Seismic Percussion, which transforms seismic data from Earth and Mars—via NASA’s InSight lander—into a unique interplanetary drum composition.
As part of the PST ART initiative, several public programs and community events will complement the Blended Worldsexhibit. One notable event is Blended Worlds: An Evening of Art, Theater and Science at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, hosted by Reggie Watts on October 5, 2024. The evening will feature talks by artists and JPL specialists, along with live performances. Additional event details will be announced soon.
PST ART, Southern California’s significant arts initiative, will return in September 2024. It includes more than 70 exhibitions throughout the region, exploring the confluence of art and science. Presented by Getty, PST ART emphasizes the historical and future intersections between these two disciplines. For more information on the program, visit: pst.art.
JPL expresses its gratitude to the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission and the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust for their support in making this exhibition possible.
Brand Library & Art Center 1601 West Mountain Street
Glendale, CA 91201
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Closed Sunday-Monday and holidays
Special Events:
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 21, 7:00 PM, Brand Library & Art Center
Blended Worlds: An Evening of Art, Theater and Science: Saturday, October 5, Alex Theatre
