Psyche Inspired: Liz Phillips

Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara

Major: Physics

Psyche Inspired Class: 2024-2025

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Spun UP!

SPUN up!

Liz Phillips

November 27th, 2024

Major: Physics

Genre/Medium: Embroidery; Animation

About the work:

“Spun UP!” is a stop-motion animation that reimagines the Psyche mission logo using embroidery. The central circle resembles the shape of the Psyche asteroid in motion as it spins around its own axis. Surrounding it, four semi-circles evoke the shape of the spacecraft’s cross-shaped solar panels. I drew inspiration from NASA’s long-standing tradition of mission patches to guide the design of this project. The background of black fabric acts as the fabric of space: an empty void that permeates the entire universe. But this blank canvas is nothing special without some decoration! The asteroid and spacecraft are depicted with silver thread, spun from metallic fibers, reflecting both of their compositions. Read more…

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Reflections on Project 2: Magnetic

A shiny metal sculpture about 20 inches tall, composed of a model asteroid with many steel wires protruding from the surface. The wires loop back around into the asteroid, forming curved shapes that resemble a woman’s face and hair. The sculpture is supported by a clear rod connected to a marble base, making it appear to be floating freely.

Magnetic

Liz Phillips

February 26th, 2025

Major: Physics

Genre/Medium: Aluminum, Steel, Marble, Acrylic

About the work:

What does Psyche’s magnetic field look like? This is one of the primary questions that NASA’s Psyche mission seeks to answer. The sculpture “Magnetic” is an artistic interpretation of a possible magnetic field simulated by the Psyche magnetometry team. Electromagnetic fields are often difficult to visualize on paper, since they are invisible to us. It is my hope that this physical model will allow viewers to experience a more tangible representation of these three-dimensional structures.

Because of its unknown composition and formation history, it is likely that Psyche does not have only two poles like Earth does but rather multiple North and South poles scattered around the surface, creating many complex loops and interacting patterns. As the field lines emanate from the asteroid, they are pushed in one direction by the solar wind causing them to flatten on one side and elongate on the other. Read more…

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Reflections on Project 3: Composition

A colorful paper collage made of sharp geometric shapes and smooth curves. The Psyche spacecraft has large purple solar panels stretching diagonally across the canvas. The background features a pattern of pink and orange concentric circles surrounded by black space and glittery stars.

Composition

Liz Phillips

Major: Physics

Genre/Medium: Collage

About the work:

“Composition” is a collage depicting the Psyche spacecraft as it flies over an abstract asteroid. Its title is a reference to the composition of the piece itself, the various materials of the collage, and the composite material of the Psyche asteroid.

The large geometric shapes and flowing curves of the piece were inspired by the art deco movement, with colors inspired by the Psyche mission logo and stained glass. The circular pattern is representative of the asteroid and its large craters, but it can be interpreted however the viewer likes. Psyche’s large solar panel wings stretch from corner-to-corner, with curves emphasizing the motion of the spacecraft as it sails and spins through space.

For this project I collected as much colorful paper as I could from all kinds of sources: magazines, packaging, junk mail, catalogs, flyers. In the spirit of collaboration, I asked all of my friends to contribute something to incorporate. Color gradients are a big part of this piece, which was a fun challenge to create using only solid blocks of color. The sharp and careful cuts of the foreground elements contrast against the loosely ripped paper for the background of space.

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