Psyche Inspired: Christine Zhou
Institution: Brown University
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art
Psyche Inspired Class: 2019-2020
Reflections from Christine
What Could Have Been
What Could Have Been
Christine Zhou
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art
Genre/Medium: acrylic and collage on paper
About the work: Psyche, possibly the exposed metal core of an early planet, is the manifestation of what could have been. Perhaps what is now an asteroid could have developed into an Earth-like body. Instead it is devoid of life. My piece represents what Psyche could have been — a habitat housing billions of organisms and their joys, celebrations, sorrows: the collection of their emotions. This piece incorporates collage elements: cut-outs from a variety of magazines that capture human lives. The flowing acrylic brush strokes represent the dynamism of our constantly moving and growing lives.
Fragmentation
Fragmentation
Christine Zhou
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art
Genre/Medium: laser cut masonite
About the work: Psyche is an asteroid thought to be the remnants of a planetary metal core subjected to extremely strong collisions. In this piece, Psyche is depicted in the throes of its impact, fragmenting throughout space. The background, showing space between Mars and Jupiter, is mostly dark, but Psyche is illuminated. The obscured sphere in the lower middle area of this piece is the colliding object. I created the outline and design for my piece on Adobe Illustrator and then laser cut the image onto masonite.
World of Metal
World of Metal
Christine Zhou
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art
Genre/Medium: digital, Adobe Photoshop
About the work: (16) Psyche is a unique asteroid that is mostly metal, opening up many possibilities as to what it may be. My graphic poster presents Psyche as a phenomenon–something to be marveled. My poster attempts to grab the viewer’s eye with one simple message: Psyche, World of Metal. I used Adobe Photoshop to create the poster, incorporating the oranges, pinks, and purples from the Psyche Mission logo.
Empathy
Empathy
Christine Zhou
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art
Genre/Medium: digital, Adobe Photoshop
About the work: In the legends, the goddess Psyche was cursed by Aphrodite, who said Psyche would now fall in love with the most unworthy and disgusting mortal men. Meanwhile, 16-Psyche is thought to have undergone an extremely large collision that stripped it of many of its surface layers. Due to the tragedies the Psyches have experienced, I chose to depict Psyche the goddess caressing the asteroid, comforting it with her empathy.