Born from the new friendship which began in Malta at INSAP II, Maria Sundin, (astronomer) of Gothenburg University / Chalmers and Daniel Oberti (artist) of Sebastopol, Ca. present a collaborative presentation titled "Star Dancers."
Maria's teaching has involved trying to reach people with or without a scientific background to introduce and further inspire them in their pursuits of Astronomy. Daniel has provided her with numerous slides and additional conceptual ideas, which illustrate the parallels between art and science to further supplement her presentations.
In September of 1999, Cathy Horellou invited Oberti to speak at the Onsala Space Observatory. His presentation "Spheres of Influence" elaborated further on the poster he presented at INSAP II, and his collaboration with Sundin over the subsequent year.
"Not often does one encounter an artist who not only
experiences a fascination for the universe similar in many ways to that
of scientific researchers, but at the same time is able to express this
relationship in such a wonderful way."
Cathy Horellou PhD, Onsala Space Observatory, Chalmers
University of Technology, Sweden
While presenting works and speaking to scientists and researchers, Oberti was asked why his works did not include more current discoveries in the scientific world. This provocative question was another component that led to further discussions with Sundin and it helped Oberti to realise a new opportunity to forge ahead and make a commitment to create new works based on Sundin's discoveries of the intricate and fascinating orbits of certain stars in barred galaxies.
Galaxies are the universe's largest single objects. Many of them, including the Milky Way, are disk shaped. Some of the disk galaxies have barred shaped centres, and during the 1990's it was discovered that it might be that the majority of the disc galaxies have bars. There are strong indications that the Milky Way is a barred galaxy. Using computer simulations to model and investigate barred galaxies, Sundin has found that the bar is built by stars moving in many different orbits. The shape of the bar and the evolution of the galaxy is determined by these orbits - or more poetically, by the dances of the stars. The orbits - dances - of the stars can be fairly regular, looking like diamonds, flowers, triangles, etc, and some appear totally chaotic. Looking at them, one is constantly reminded of the fantastic patterns nature creates in small scales as well as vast!
Some of Sundin's current research consists of trying to teach computers to classify these patterns into different categories according to their shapes. They can be distinguished by e.g. their frequencies, energies, cusps and loops, and it is a challenge for Oberti to interpret all these things.
Oberti began by sketching these patterns in clay and found this led to the birthing of large platters, which served as a canvas to interpret Sundin's simulations in an artistic and sculptural format. The new works present cutting edge discoveries of star paths within the scope of a most ancient art form - that of potterymaking and sculpture.
The "Star Dancers" project is a provocative enhancement of our collaboration and continued communications lead to a continued and sustained development of our project. For Sundin, this is an entirely new way to reach a wider audience with her new research results. For Oberti, an expansive and creative explosion of new works which pay homage to astronomical themes from the archaic to the contemporary.