Psyche Inspired: Joyce Tsui

Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara

Major: Art with an EMPHASIS in Painting

Psyche Inspired Class: 2019-2020

Reflections from Joyce

In 2026

A figure sits on top of a podium looking at the Psyche asteroid through a telescope. The planetarium is showing a detailed view of Psyche with other asteroids. While Mars is in the distance, Jupiter is up close next to Psyche. Psyche has two giant craters carved out of the panel. They are reflecting the colors of the galaxy, along with metallic silver and bronze. The spacecraft is orbiting next to it.

In 2026

Joyce Tsui

November 8, 2019

Major: Art studies

Genre/Medium: modeling paste and acrylics on wood panel

About the work: During 2026, the spacecraft will finally be within Psyche’s orbit and be able to capture detailed images of it. In the future, I imagine we’ll be learning and seeing the asteroid in planetariums. Therefore, I illustrated a person filled with amazement and awe looking through the planetarium’s telescope at the Psyche asteroid. Psyche is surrounding by other asteroids in an abstracted galaxy. While Mars is in the distance, Jupiter is up close next to the metal asteroid.

Using modeling paste gives the asteroid dimensions outside the panel and mimics the proposed surface texture of the Psyche asteroid.

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The Birth of Psyche

Psyche the goddess is pictured with brown hair and a purple flowing dress lying on top of the metallic core of the asteroid with dark smoke surrounding her after various collisions. Gold and silver crystallization emerges out of the figure, representing different materials thought to form Psyche. Behind the smoke is the black galaxy with faint stars. In the front are metallic grey rocks with gold parts scattered throughout.

The Birth of Psyche

Joyce Tsui

December 18, 2019

Major: Art studies

Genre/Medium: digital

About the work: Psyche the asteroid is thought to be created from other asteroids violently colliding into it and destroying the outer layer of protoplanet, revealing a metallic core. In midst of the impacts, Psyche is born. The goddess is lying on top of the metallic core with smoke surrounding her. Crystallization emerges from several parts of her, showing the different materials thought to form Psyche. Although the birth of Psyche was violent and left the goddess vulnerable by destroying her outer layers, the different possibilities of the metallic materials and crystallization on the asteroid is even more exciting and beautiful than a regular planet.

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Why Explore (16) Psyche?

The educational comic explains the relevance of the Psyche Mission: exploration and the opportunity to potentially gain insight on planetary cores. The information is delivered in a light-hearted manner with jokes like the "That's Hot" meme. Exploration is pictured as space, deep-sea, cave, and forest exploration. The illustrations in the comic are done in a clean graphic style, similar to the styles found in editorial illustrations.

Why Explore (16) Psyche?

Joyce Tsui

March 3, 2020

Major: Art studies

Genre/Medium: digital

About the work: Several people working on the Psyche Mission expressed their desire for a way to educate the public about what the mission is about and why it is important. Thus, this informational comic explains the relevance of the Psyche Mission in a light-hearted manner. While the colorful illustrations paired with the text makes it more intriguing for the viewer, the jokes and colloquial language are intended to be informal and less like a lecture. Ultimately, I illustrated the exciting objectives of exploring a metal world and the possibility of learning more about planetary cores.

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What is the NASA Psyche Mission?

What is the NASA Psyche Mission?

Joyce Tsui

March 20, 2020

Major: Art studies

Genre/Medium: digital art

About the work: Several people working on the Psyche Mission expressed their desire for a way to educate the public about what the mission is about and why it is important. Thus, this informational comic explains what the NASA Psyche Mission is in a light-hearted manner. While the colorful illustrations paired with the text makes it more intriguing for the viewer, the jokes and colloquial language are intended to be informal. Ultimately, I illustrated the context and the key elements of exploring a metal-rich world.

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