Psyche Inspired: Sunny Collins

Institution: Arizona State University

Major: Graphic Information Technology (UX)

Psyche Inspired Class: 2022-2023

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Psyche in Stages

Psyche in Stages

Sunny Collins

November 21st, 2022

Major: Graphic Information Technology (UX)

Genre/Medium: Silicone geode coaster molds, Epoxy resin, various resin dyes, metallic foil flakes, holographic foil flakes, electrical wires, nuts, rubber bands, magnetic tape

About the work: For my first Psyche Inspired project, I created 4 abstract sculptures representing the various storylines of not only the Psyche mission but the asteroid itself. I really wanted to portray the colorful, expressive, technical, exciting, useful, and hopeful nature of the mission through these four interpretations. At first, my plan was to take a planter saucer, fill it with electrical wire, bolts, nuts, screws, nails, and magnetic tape all being manipulated to look like Psyche. Additionally, I wanted to use materials that represent the satellite being sent to analyze Psyche. I quickly realized that keeping all of those small pieces together would be difficult without some sort of bonding agent. Resin came to mind as a successful way to keep all of the materials together while also being able to still see everything clearly. Read more…

Reflections on Project 2: Impact of psyche in light

Impact of psyche in light

Sunny Collins

January 13th, 2023

Major: Graphic Information Technology (UX)

Genre/Medium: Paper, needle, and light captured with photography

About the work: “I was inspired by the giant impact and following hit-and-run impacts that made Psyche what it is today. The destruction was just the beginning and resembles a galaxy as the mantle is sprayed across space. Light felt like a perfect medium to use since it is how we see space. Additionally, using light heightened the resemblance to a galaxy even more so.

The photos and video were created by taking a 9in x 12in piece of Bristol paper and lightly sketching a circle for Psyche and lines for the remnants coming off of it after impact. Once the sketch was done, I took a needle and poked holes along the lines. The variation in the proximity of the holes represents both the distance and density. Then in a dark room with a strong flashlight I held the piece of paper above a glossy white counter and shined the light through so the dots would show through on the counter below.

Two of the photos show the image of the impact of Psyche in exactly the way I described my process, while the other two show insight into the process. In one photo, you can see the paper with the light coming through, as well as the light being shown through to the counter, The other photo shows the light along with the reflection of the paper in the counter.

The video is meant to give more energy and movement to the concept with light running along the spiral. The dots merging and flowing together as the light runs along the poked dots of the paper. I thought this would be a nice way to illustrate the transfer and creation of energy through the impact of Psyche.”

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Reflections on Project 3: The pages of psyche

The pages of psyche

Sunny Collins

March 29th, 2023

Major: Graphic Information Technology (UX)

Genre/Medium: Book Art, Book, Glue, Exacto Knife, Marker

About the work: For this third project, I wanted to create something familiar and grounded almost like comfort. The power of words and the depth of a book reaches far into the pool of our knowledge and emotions. At first, I was hoping to use Psyche documents and research papers to create art. Not only did I find it difficult to bind printer paper, but it did not visually portray the emotion I wished for.

Within the pages of books, we discover more of the world, and therefore, ourselves. We imagine amazing environments, characters, and stories in fiction and recall history and iconic figures in non-fiction. Our hopes, dreams, and potential are within the pages of books, and so I wanted to honor Psyche by putting it in one. The book I chose is called “The (Very) Short History of Life on Earth” by Henry Gee. This is the book I decided on because, with the information gathered from Psyche, it will fill in gaps in the history of Earth.

On the left side, Psyche is represented by it’s two main craters carved within the layered pages. On the right side, the satellite is represented and outlined with cascading pages to the back of the book.

Read more…

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Reflections on Project 4: The Bones of psyche

The Bones of psyche

Sunny Collins

May 17th, 2023

Major: Graphic Information Technology (UX)

Genre/Medium: Screenprinting, Linocut, Pen and Ink, Canvas, Marker

About the work: The Bones of Psyche represents our humanity in the mission. Through Psyche we will hopefully gain further insight into Earth and it’s core, and therefore how life formed. The mysteries behind Psyche are as much a part of it as we are, which is why the asteroid is portrayed as the human skull with the satellite flying in to observe it. I wanted this to be tactile, a bit messy and fun, so using screen printing, linocut, marker, with pen and ink felt appropriate. Plus, I had never done screen printing before and it allowed me to experience something new creatively!