Psyche Inspired: Maxine Stoenescu

Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Psyche Inspired Class: 2022-2023

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Knowledge

Knowledge

Maxine Stoenescu

December 9th, 2022

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Genre/Medium: Acrylic Paint

About the work: This piece is meant to represent the knowledge that Psyche possesses. The tubes coming out of Psyche and entering the human figure illustrate humanity acquiring the secrets of Psyche from the mission. Some tubes are left disconnected to further demonstrate how some secrets might linger, even after the mission’s completion. Cool colors were used to emphasize ominous and mysterious themes that coincide with space itself. The biomechanical nature of the human figure was inspired by the works of H.R. Giger, and is meant to further solidify the relationship between humanity and space.

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Reflections on Project 2: PsycheBot

PsycheBot

Maxine Stoenescu

February 2, 2023

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Genre/Medium: Fine-tip Marker and Gouache Paints

About the work: This piece’s intent is to personify the Psyche spacecraft as a cute, palpable robot. The robot is made up of multiple components from the spacecraft, with the head replicating its overall shape. The various colors used to make up the robot signify the various materials of Psyche, and the robot is holding samples of Psyche in each hand as a means of studying it. This piece was also motivated by a biomechanical theme, and is meant to connect man, machine, and space.

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Reflections on Project 3: The Fall of Psyche

The Fall of Psyche

Maxine Stoenescu

April 5, 2023

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Genre/Medium: Ink Liner Pens, Gouache

About the work: “The Fall of Psyche” was greatly inspired by the mythology behind Psyche, specifically regarding her trip to the underworld. Psyche is depicted falling gracefully through greenish-gray cavernous depths. This piece was made to encompass the emotions behind Psyche’s trials and tribulations, and resonate with the Psyche team’s emotions of a delayed launch. Psyche is depicted with a certain grace and beauty about her as a means of showing that there will always be a light within the darkness, and something you always learn from a failure.

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Reflections on Project 4: Psyche Elements

Psyche Elements

Maxine Stoenescu

May 15th, 2023

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Genre/Medium: Acrylic paints & glue-water mix

About the work: “Psyche Elements” is my introspective take on the composition of Psyche. This piece was greatly inspired by the multi-spectral imaging that will come from the Psyche mission, and I wanted to incorporate some abstract themes behind the science. This project was a wonderful excuse for me to get messy and play with a giant puddle of paint and try to make it look asteroid-like. I tried to maintain a brown base for each canvas as a reference to the asteroid, but I also wanted to incorporate as many colors as I could to illustrate Psyche’s intricacies.

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Psyche Inspired

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Psyche Inspired