Joe, remember there is a difference between honest public relations, and propaganda. You mentioned a deliberate attempt to mislead for gain, and that's what I disagree with. I don't associate a particular artistic style with a lobbying effort. I think it's more in-line with Patrick's "ambassador" appointment, for example. Genuine public outreach and a desire to share the enthusiasm for space exploration that the NASA employees themselves feel. Showing the public what they are getting for their money, what's possible when we share a common vision. -----Original Message----- From: bau@desnews.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:49 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] How red is Mars, anyway? Hi, absolutely no offense taken. I agree, Mars is exciting on its own, without the hype. Maybe no Congress members will see the painting but NASA must have an intended target. Is it aimed at the general public? Or at reporters? Either way, if people see a space adventure and like the ida, or If the media gets hyped up, that ttranslates into more public support. And NASA lives or dies by PR. Thanks, Joe
Hey, Joe, I didn't mean to suggest that you were naive, just the >question in the context of that particular painting. I think >you're looking for sinister intent where none exists. Didn't >Freud once suggest "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"?
Have you ever seen the paintings of Alan Bean? The man has been to >the moon, yet his paintings are highly stylized and almost abstract- >they look nothing like photographs of the events he paints. And he >was painting for himself in most cases, not on commssion from an >agency seeking funding. http://www.alanbeangallery.com/ Another example is the artist Robert McCall. I'm sure most of us >are familiar with his paintings, most famously those concerned with >the Apollo program, and the landmark film "2001: A Space Odyssey". >http://www.mccallstudios.com/gallery_index.html Again, highly stylized, intentionally meant to instill a feeling of >adventure and wonder in the viewer. That is the magic of art. To >read politics into it is to do the artist- and yourself- a >disservice.
I'll bet you no members of Congress see those NASA paintings, >although those guys certainly are naive. I happen to think that >Mars is pretty thrilling- without the crumbling fortresses. >
-----Original Message----- From: bau@desnews.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 9:00 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] How red is Mars, anyway?
Interesting discussion, though I don't feel naive in matters of art. >After thinking about it, my take is that NASA is hoking it up to >generate enthusiasm, presenting an unrealistic picture that harkens >back to pulp sc-fi covers. It's an attempt to mislead the public -- >just a bit -- by making Mars look thrilling. I suppose the goal is >to persuade Congress to be more generous in appropriations. Next >time they should paint in a distant ruined fortress, crumbling away >next to the Face on Mars. -- Joe
________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's >free from AOL at AOL.com. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.