Space Art and the International Association of

Astronomical Artists

Lynette Cook, Pascal Lee,

Julie Jones, Jon Ramer

Who We Are• Founded in 1982• Current membership – 128

– Three levels, Associate, Artist, Fellow• Members from 15 nations

– Argentina, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Untied States

• 80 member websites plus IAAA Home page– www.iaaa.org

• Listserver discussions• Quarterly magazine “Pulsar”

Our Manifesto

Space art serves the most basic function of fine art, that of inspiration. It directs our focus towards the space frontier, where

human destiny inevitably lies.

The object of the IAAA is to implement and participate in astronomical and space art

projects, to promote education about astronomical art and to foster international cooperation in artistic work inspired by the

exploration of the Universe.

Organizational Activities

• Art shows– Artist’s Universe themed exhibits, Mars, Solar

System, Pluto, Spaceships, and Exoplanets– PlanestFest, ISAW, four more in next year

• Workshops– 18 workshops at exotic “off world” locations– 2005 Death Valley– 2007 Utah Canyonlands– 2010 Grand Canyon / Meteor Crater– 2013 Nevada Deserts– Future: Iceland, Atacama, Yellowstone eclipse

Linked Organizations• ARS Astronautica• Ad Astra • American Astronomical Society• America Society of Aviation Artists• Astronomers Without Borders• Astronomy magazine• Astronomical Society of Northern California• Guild of Natural Science Illustrators• OURS Foundation• The Planetary Society• Scientific American magazine• Sky & Telescope magazine

What is “Space Art?”• Seems to be a controversial topic

• “Space Art” or “Astronomical Art” is the term for a genre of modern artistic expression that strives to show the wonders of the Universe

• Has many facets

• Whatever the stylistic path, the artist is generally attempting to communicate ideas somehow related to space

• Key point: You know it when you see it

Comparison to Other Genres

Categories of Space Art

• Descriptive Realism

• Cosmic Impressionism

• Hardware Art

• Cosmic Zoology

• Sculpture

• Other Endeavors

• Key point #2: Subject matter is Space

Artist Discussion:Lynette Cook

Pascal LeeJulie JonesJon Ramer

Thank you for your time!