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The “The Contour of Presence” artistic space mission is an exceptional example of pairing science with art with the aim to improve understanding of space activities, demonstrate that space technologies exist for the benefit of Earth, human society and citizens.
Carried out in co-operation between artistic partners Studio Nahum and technical partners of the International Space University and the McQuarie University, the objective of this long-standing mission is to provide an interactive kaleidoscope art payload controlled from the ground from by human pulse measurements, together with a site-specific poem.
“The Contour of Presence”, as the artistic demonstrator is named, brings together general public on the ground with the art project in space and allows them to interface in real time. The mission features a specially designed ‘microgravity kaleidoscope’ located inside a cube that lights up and starts to rotate after it receives heartbeat data from a portable ground terminal fitted with a pulse oximeter which will measure pulse rate and oxygenation level of the participant, creating a unique feedback and real time interaction. The terminal is being installed at specific events and venues.
This interactive art cube is in the mean time the longest operated cube in the ICE Cubes facility.
Check out the video interview with artist Nahum (on “The Contour of Presence” starting from 1:57:55):
400
milliseconds it takes for your pulse rate to reach the art project in space