The Birth of Psyche (Revelare)

Aalijah Maria Ululani JOhnson

November 4th, 2024

Major: BA Psychology and Art, BS in Computer Science

Genre/Medium: Oil Paint on Poster Board

About the work:

For “The Birth Psyche (Revelare)”, I created a lenticular painting that reveals two distinct images based on the viewer’s perspective. The dual imagery will consist of the asteroid (16) Psyche from one angle and Psyche, the Goddess of the Soul, from the other, with contrasting color schemes.

I have been inspired by the concept of perceptual art, creating an immersive, interactive experience for the viewer. In particular, I’ve been contemplating the connection between (16) Psyche and Psyche, the Goddess of the Soul. As the journey of (16) Psyche creates the potential for discovery and exploration of the core of a planetesimal, which, in my opinion, parallels the human journey of self-discovery – the uncovering of our own cores, or the essence of who we are and who we choose to be.

Through this piece, I aimed to explore the nuances and imagery created by this perceptual piece.

In this project, the concept of birth represents the revelation of something deeply hidden, the opening of doors to new discoveries, much like the journey to (16) Psyche. Psyche, the Goddess, embodies the nuances of the soul and our human connections to one another and the universe. In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, I aim to explore what lies at our core—what connects us at the deepest level, and how our souls resonate in times of uncertainty. Through this, I hope to inspire reflection on our own roles and existence on Earth.

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Psyche Inspired is a program that brings undergraduate students from any discipline or major together to share the excitement, innovation, and scientific and engineering content of NASA’s Psyche mission with the public in new ways through artistic and creative works. This year’s Psyche Inspired cohort is known as the Iridium Class. These works are posted in the gallery and highlighted on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. View the full resolution images in the image gallery. There are many ways to get involved with NASA’s Psyche mission. Learn how you can be a part of the Psyche mission through our “Get Involved” pages at https://psyche.asu.edu/get-involved/ and https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/ways-to-participate/. To learn more about the overall Psyche mission, visit nasa.gov/psyche or jpl.nasa.gov/missions/psyche.

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