West to Mars,
the
Next Step to the Stars
A Call for a Collaborative Project
to the Creative Arts Community
Many of us have been captivated by the
exploration of space. Our excitement about what has been learned and our
amazement at what we have seen, since the inception of humanity's step out
into the near cosmos, has been a very gratifying experience.
Over the centuries, Mars has held a particular
fascination for many. In the most recent decades we have been entranced
by the images transmitted back to us from this world. The astoundingly diverse
terrain--fog filled valleys, cloud shadowed plains, wind sculpted dunes
and ice encased plateaus--has called to us.
A call that is, now, continuing to be answered
by several projects. As I write this Surveyor and Pathfinder are on course.
When they arrive to either orbit or land on Mars, one more step in Mars
exploration will be realized. But...
We now need to, in some form, stimulate
support for an even more aggressive exploration agenda. A plan that must
include the following:
- With current technology and in an economically
feasible manner, manned exploration of Mars within the next 10 years is
quite possible according to Dr. Robert Zubrin in his book The Case for Mars.
I find this possibility very exciting.
I can't wait to see actual hand held video and stills of the locations-we
haven't seen yet-which our artwork is attempting to depict and our words
are endeavoring to express! Will we find an uncanny precognitive depiction
or will it just look similar or will they be even more alien than we envisioned?
Astonishment and surprising revelations will be the order of the day I would
imagine.
But, more importantly, after studying Dr.
Zubrin's book and articles, I believe that we are at a pivotal point regarding
our future. We are on the verge of an amazing era if the right choice is
made. (See the link to Dr. Zubrin's The Significance of Mars
included at the end of this letter. I urge you to read it and decide for
yourself what need there is for a project such as this.)
I was so excited after reading The Case
for Mars that I worked constantly for several weeks, talking, e-mailing,
reading, researching, and creating so that I could add a series to my gallery
that I hoped would, in some way, pass the excitement along.
The MarsDirect series went on-line a few
weeks ago. But this initial result of my captivation, although personally
satisfying, seems lacking, something isn't quite right. I have art, I have
data, and the desire is there. Other sites--JPL and The Center
for Mars Exploration among them--address the technical aspects of the
exploration and settlement of Mars and some include well-done Mars artwork,
also. More is needed.
More energy. Energy which tantalizes us
with the possibilities.
More soul. Soul that can reach into our
very depths and capture our imaginations.
More diversity. Infinitely diverse creations
that can speak to a wide range of people in our constantly expanding sphere
of global contact.
MORE of YOU.
You that dream and express them with your
fertile imaginations-images that speak to our souls, words that see and
energize, music that touches regardless of our diversities. Vivid visions
which spark and catch fire.
We need to play it, draw it in and touch
it, like the feeling we have the first time we connect with something or
someone, we need to embrace it. If we do this there will be no stopping
us in our reach for the stars.
A more cohesive voice is called for. A
grass-roots type of thing from the 'arts' perspective, the dreams perspective,
the 'what if' perspective. A voice that is constantly evolving, growing
in intensity, and pushing gently, yet boldly, into the consciousness of
the world.
I think what would be most appropriate
and effective is to involve as much of Earth's creative community as possible,
to contribute to this on-line voice.
I believe the need is for the addition
of a collaborative West to Mars section to a site--mine or another
or maybe several--consisting of a broad spectrum--art, essays, music, poetry,
photography, and articles from you, the creative arts community--inspirationally
haunting and emotionally vibrant pages that will move those who view them
to say, Yes, we can do this, we must do this!
Admittedly, a tall order! This collaborative
project would be a catalyst. One where the 'arts' come together to inspire
and move the world--grandiose thinking--but then, I believe, that is what
it will take to surmount the obstacles inherent in any major effort, explorative
or otherwise.
I envision a voice that will stimulate
in geometric progression. I see a point where the excitement reaches global
proportions. A consensus the powers that be cannot help but acknowledge--the
necessity of exploring and settling this new frontier. A, truly, multifaceted
collaborative ether-wide effort.
It has been a long time since we have had,
as a nation--as a world--an opportunity to unite in cheering and supporting
the implementation of such a worthwhile and positive idea as this--one with
such broad implications.
I believe it is time to seed the ether
and not only revitalize the unity and drive we of Earth are capable of but
to insure the future of humanity.
Why should the creative arts community
be involved?
Roger Malina's eloquent insight answers:
- "One of the defining achievements of
the twentieth century was the birth of the space age. For the first time
in history, humans escaped the gravity of the earth, walked on other celestial
planets and established the first outposts in space.
-
- The space age was possible because for centuries
the cultural imagination was fed by artists, writers and musicians who
dreamed of human activities in space. Now, with the end of the Cold War,
the role of artists and writers is again crucial in defining our future
vision of space -- and will once again be instrumental in incorporating
the facts and discoveries of the space age into the cultural imagination.
-
- Will the Space Age now come to an end and
return to the province of mythology ? Or has the space age led to an irreversible
cultural change so that space exploration will continue to be part of our
civilization's activities?"
-
- (Roger Malina is an astronomer, Director
of the Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale in Marseille, France, and
Director of the Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics (CEA)
in Berkeley, California. He is the co-chairman of the Committee on Space
Activities and Society of the International Academy of Astronautics.)
What is required of you?
Just these three things:
1. Only that you continue doing what you
already love doing--your drawing, your photography, your painting, your
graphics design, your animations, your theatre, your novels, your films,
your poetry, your sculpture, your essays, your music, and, as you see the
need, direct some of your creativity toward this project.
2. Just as important are your thoughts
on this project. They would be most invaluable and appreciated.
3. Additionally, any suggestions as to
others that might be receptive to this project would be a very good next
step.
Sincerely,
Ken Fair
MarsWest Collaborative Project
Organization
URL: http://www.marswest.org/
E-Mail: kfaireog@gvi.net
Voice: 913.381.7409
Fax:913.381.9665
Note:
Why must we go to Mars?
Dr. Zubrin's compelling thoughts penned in
"The
Significance of Mars" answers
that question.
http://spot.colorado.edu/~marscase/cfm/articles/frontier.html
Additional Note: More information about Dr.
Zubrin's ideas can be found at:
Headquarters
for the Mars Direct Manned Mars Mission.
http://www.magick.net/mars/
I believe that it is critical
that all lines
of
communication be explored regarding this project.
Please copy or print this letter
and
distribute it whenever
and wherever possible. | 
Copy/Save this graphic and place it on your
home page to show your support. Link it to this page for others to read.
Thanks. Or Email me and I will send
it to you along with a copy of the letter.
February 17, 1997
Talented artist Michaela has a wonderful sense of the
beautiful and a charming sense of humor that, when combined, make visiting
her site a respite in the vast web sea.
