Can Vincent van Gogh and David Bowie help us discover what is out there in the universe? Or maybe it is the women in science who are going to save our planet. We might never know what is really out there, but Salena Godden has picked out six images from the Google Arts & Culture archive that allow us to question the world around us. Take a journey though time and space...
The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent van GoghMoMA The Museum of Modern Art
Is there anybody out there? Poet Salena Godden answers through images selected from the Google Arts & Culture archive.
Is there anybody in here?
“Maybe Van Gogh asks us this very question here: Is there anybody out there? I think he also asks us: Is there anybody in here?”
Photograph of moon after transearth insertion (1969-05-24)NASA
Life in space
“This timeless and iconic photograph of the moon… When I see this image I think of the first time I heard of the sea of tranquility; I still think it sounds like a wonderful place to swim.”
David BowieLIFE Photo Collection
David Bowie on a mission
“He often asked “Is there anybody out there” in much of his work, literally, figuratively, and metaphorically: Is there life on Mars?”
Hive frame with visible honey and wax construction in the Synthetic Apiary environment. Photo: The Mediated Matter Group (2016/2016) by The Mediated Matter GroupBarbican Centre
Save the bees
“Bees are critical pollinators: they pollinate 70 of around 100 crop species that feed 90% of the world. We may lose all the plants that the bees pollinate, all of the animals that eat those plants, and so on up the food chain.”
Satimbe Mask (1994) by Carol Beckwith & Angela FisherAfrican Ceremonies
The brightest star
“Lately I have been researching the Dogon people and their connection with the Dog Star, Sirius, which is brightest this time of year, hence the name The Dog Days of Summer.”
Grace EdwardsThe Natural History Museum
Is anybody out there?
“Who knows... but you can be sure a woman is on the case! Let’s give it up for the women of science.”
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