"Pale Blue Dot"
For Movement 8: Versa est in Luctum (From The Victoria Requiem)
16 x 16 inches unframed, 20 x 20 framed
Monotype print, oil pastel, & graphite
Part of NASA’s Family Portrait series, the “Pale Blue Dot” photo was taken of Earth right as the Voyager Satellite exited our solar system, 6 billion kilometers away. The Earth is difficult to find in the photo - a tiny speck of dust, or pale blue dot- and the perspective it brings evokes many different emotions.
This movement’s lyrics mourn “my days are as nothing”. It is a common theme in stories of divine encounters that a prophet/prophetess is shown and overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of creation, only to be followed by a deep mourning. It’s a paradox: they are a part of that creation and are inspired by it, but also realize how small they are. The “Pale Blue Dot” photo evokes many of these same existential feelings prophets have tried to describe: awe at the bigness, despair at our insignificance. In Carl Sagan’s words:
“To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
This artwork is my own illustration of that famous photo. Can you spot the pale blue dot?
Note: If you will be collecting your artwork at the concert Saturday evening, use code CONCERTPICKUP at checkout to waive shipping fees.
For Movement 8: Versa est in Luctum (From The Victoria Requiem)
16 x 16 inches unframed, 20 x 20 framed
Monotype print, oil pastel, & graphite
Part of NASA’s Family Portrait series, the “Pale Blue Dot” photo was taken of Earth right as the Voyager Satellite exited our solar system, 6 billion kilometers away. The Earth is difficult to find in the photo - a tiny speck of dust, or pale blue dot- and the perspective it brings evokes many different emotions.
This movement’s lyrics mourn “my days are as nothing”. It is a common theme in stories of divine encounters that a prophet/prophetess is shown and overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of creation, only to be followed by a deep mourning. It’s a paradox: they are a part of that creation and are inspired by it, but also realize how small they are. The “Pale Blue Dot” photo evokes many of these same existential feelings prophets have tried to describe: awe at the bigness, despair at our insignificance. In Carl Sagan’s words:
“To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
This artwork is my own illustration of that famous photo. Can you spot the pale blue dot?
Note: If you will be collecting your artwork at the concert Saturday evening, use code CONCERTPICKUP at checkout to waive shipping fees.
For Movement 8: Versa est in Luctum (From The Victoria Requiem)
16 x 16 inches unframed, 20 x 20 framed
Monotype print, oil pastel, & graphite
Part of NASA’s Family Portrait series, the “Pale Blue Dot” photo was taken of Earth right as the Voyager Satellite exited our solar system, 6 billion kilometers away. The Earth is difficult to find in the photo - a tiny speck of dust, or pale blue dot- and the perspective it brings evokes many different emotions.
This movement’s lyrics mourn “my days are as nothing”. It is a common theme in stories of divine encounters that a prophet/prophetess is shown and overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of creation, only to be followed by a deep mourning. It’s a paradox: they are a part of that creation and are inspired by it, but also realize how small they are. The “Pale Blue Dot” photo evokes many of these same existential feelings prophets have tried to describe: awe at the bigness, despair at our insignificance. In Carl Sagan’s words:
“To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
This artwork is my own illustration of that famous photo. Can you spot the pale blue dot?
Note: If you will be collecting your artwork at the concert Saturday evening, use code CONCERTPICKUP at checkout to waive shipping fees.