Frank Pietronigro Queer Anthology supports Let’s Paint an Asteroid Lavender
I am spearheading a new arts, space exploration, space science, and engineering collaboration with a singular, radical objective: to paint an asteroid lavender. This new space sculpture will be realized by utilizing asteroid redirection techniques as a direct medium for art-making. Crucially, the orbital redirection required to paint the asteroid double-functions as a planetary defense mechanism, serving to help protect planet Earth from direct asteroid impact.
In reality, given the precise scientific requirements of asteroid redirection, only one half of the asteroid will be painted. With this striking visual in mind—a celestial body partially enveloped in color—our team conceives of this work of art as a cosmic metaphor for a condom placed on the asteroid, serving as a powerful symbol promoting safe sex in space.
The Lavender Asteroid Archival Prints For Acquisition
Creative Intervention & Communal Interactivity
The conception and design of this culturally significant asset and historic space artwork is manifesting under the care and guidance of an artronaut, space science, and engineering team that reflects the deeply multicultural, interactive, and intergenerational nature of the project. At its core, the project is designed to foster greater connectivity and interaction between the global audience, the artists, and space scientists. By employing asteroid deflection techniques as a form of creative intervention, we are opening up a new frontier for communal interactivity.
Viewers on Earth will be able to directly manipulate technologies and controls on the Gravity Tractors stationed at the asteroid site. Through this democratic interactivity, the distant, earthbound community will collectively paint the asteroid lavender. This communal engagement with deep-space technology represents a vital component of how space missions will operate moving forward into the Frontier Age with people on our home planet helping create the artwork using space science technology. Accordingly, this work will be formally entered into the registry of the Low Earth Orbit & Interstellar Cultural Collective (LEOICC).
An Invitation to Collaborate
The Lavender Asteroid project is currently in active development. I encourage space scientists, aerospace engineers, and technical innovators to reach out and collaborate with us to help design and implement this interplanetary painting initiative.
Our project team will consist of an international network of artists, designers, professors, historians, curators, space scientists, and engineers working at the definitive intersection of art and space science.
