European Space Agency (ESA) Arts Initiative// ETTAS
First meeting at the European Space Technology Engineering Centre [ESTEC] Noordwijk NL, Nov 2012
Vision for an ESA Arts initiative
European Space Agency Topical Team Arts & Science [ETTAS]
Barbara Imholf, Christian Waldervogel, Sarah Jane Pell, J. Michelle Kotler, Marko Peljhan
Abstract
The arts offer alternative insights into reality — which is explored by science in general, and broadened by the activities conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and other space agencies. Similar to the way the members of ESA are ambassadors for spaceflight and science, artists and cultural professionals are ambassadors for human expression, experimentation, and exploration. In June 2011, the ESA Topical Team Arts & Sciences (ETTAS), held a three-day workshop at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. During this workshop, topics and ideas were discussed to develop a cooperation between the arts, sciences and ESA to foster and expand the human and cultural aspects of space exploration, and at the same time offer a means of communication which would aim to reach audiences beyond the scope of traditional space-related channels. The preliminary findings and consensus of the team was that establishing and sustaining a transdisciplinary professional community consisting of ESA representatives, scientists and artists would fuel knowledge transfer, and mutual inspiration. Potential ways to provide a sustainable cooperation within and between the various groups were discussed and will be presented. A number of measures and mechanisms in order to initiate and conduct such an initiative and a more in-depth view regarding organizational measures, procedures and consequences, as well as a proposition on how to proceed are included in the preliminary findings. Overall, the involvement and cooperation between the Arts, Space Science Research and ESA will enhance in the citizens of the ESA member states the sense of public ownership of ESA results, and participation in ESA's research.
European Space Agency scientists, technologists and engineers were presented exemplorary prior work and prospective collaborative projects for the ESA Arts Initiative. Presenting Artists - Bradley Pitts (US), Christian Woldervogel (CH), Dr. Sarah Jane Pell (AU) & Prof. Marko Peljhan (US). Moderated by Jack Van Loun (ESA). Erasmus Auditorium, ESTEC Noordwijk, NL. 14 Nov 2012. Photos courtesy Dr. Bernard Foing & Dr. Sarah Jane Pell.
Conclusions
Until ESA - like other big research entities such as NASA, CERN - have created their own Arts Initiative, there is quite a way ahead. ETTAS have been able to achieve some major milestones since the inaugural workshop in 2011. Various gatherings have occurred to refine strategies, timelines and resource management. ETTAS co-chairs have hosted and participated in conference panel discussions, given keynote addresses, contributed submissions to peer-reviewed publications, white papers and journals of strategic importance in the Arts, Space Sciences & STEM Education. An excellent feature-length video which showcases the intent and outcomes of a range of exemplary projects by international artists and their collaborators in spaceflight, ground and analogue science, has been professionally produced, and screened/exhibited at strategic international space events in UK & US. The design and development of a public website: www.esaartscience.com is underway. These efforts underpin the ETTAS goal to successfully communicate the possibilities for an EAI to key stakeholders.
Official Website
www.esaartscience.com
Papers
1. Imhof, B., Waldvogel, C., Kotler, M., Pell, S.J., Peljkan, M., (2012) Towards a Cooperation between the Arts, and the ESA Topical Team Art & Science Report, 63rd International Astronautical Congress, Naples, Italy 2012 (E5) 23rd Symposium On Space Activity and Society (4) Space as an Artistic Medium The International Astronautical Federation.
2. Pell, S.J., Vermeulen, A., (2012) Space Science is Alive with Art, European Space Agency (ESA) & International Society for Gravitational Physiology (ISGP) Life in Space for Life on Earth Symposium – Joint 12th European Space Life Sciences Meeting, 33rd Annual ISGP Meeting, Aberdeen, UK. Submitted to be published as Special Publication by ESA and in the journal of Gravitational Physiology.
3. Imhof, B., Waldvogel, C., Kotler, M., Pell, S.J., (2012) Towards a Cooperation between the Arts, Space Science Research and the European Space Agency, ESA-ISGP Life in Space for Life on Earth Symposium – Joint 12th European Space Life Sciences Meeting, 33rd Annual ISGP Meeting, Aberdeen, UK.
ETTAS Outreach 2012
Space-related Art Showcase
An exhibition of space–related art by ETTAS' Artists - Anna Hill/Space Synapse (UK), Kirsten Johannsen (DE), Ayoko Ono (JP), Marko Peljhan (US), Sarah Jane Pell (AU), Bradley Pitts (US), Tim Otto Roth (DE), Eva Schlegal, Angelo Vermeulen (BE), & Christian Walvogel (CH).

ETTAS Space-related Art Showcase, ESTEC Noordwijk, NL 16-23 Nov, 2012. Photo courtesy Christian Luthen.
It should be noted that this additional research, development, publication and production efforts have been made possible through the spirit of the team. Artists and cochairs have contributed the rights of previously commissioned work, recorded additional video interviews, dedicated IP, and contributed design skill, production, administration and experience in their free time, and using their own resources. Since there is a great opportunity for ESA representing an overall European space programme, we recommend ESA continue to financially support, foster and promote efforts of ETTAS, towards the installation of an ESA arts initiative.
The second meeting at ESTEC in November 2012 was held and there are good prospects that in connection with a major European space exhibition in the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, Germany in 2014, a symposium of space arts will be held. One or more strategic ETTAS EAI undertakings should be undertaken to refine the proposed model and demonstrate the impact and reach of results in preparation for the 2014 exhibition. While informal arts and science cooperation and collaborative partnership discussions have commenced, we welcome input, support and cooperation to achieve optimum impact and sustainable viability, vitality and visability.
Exhibitions

ETTAS Space-related Art Showcase, ESA-ISGP Life in Space for Life on Earth Symposium – Joint 12th European Space Life Sciences Meeting, 33rd Annual ISGP Meeting, Aberdeen, UK. Jun 2012
Also see: Free Enterprise: The Art of Citizen Space Exploration Jan 19 - Apr 19, 2013 California US