Psyche Inspired: Aditi Mungale

Institution: The University of Texas at Dallas

Major: Computer Science

Psyche Inspired Class: 2023-2024

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Componere

Componere

aditi Mungale

October 30th, 2023

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: Graphite

About the work: “Componere” is Latin for “composition” or “bringing all the parts together”. This artwork explores the relationship between the various textures that make up the Psyche mission. From the solar panels of the Psyche spacecraft to the unique craters of the Psyche asteroid, every component of this graphite drawing represents an element of the mission. I utilized graphite for “Componere” because of its metallic appearance on paper that is reminiscent of Psyche’s metal composition. The goal of this art piece is to challenge the viewer to think of all of the tiny details and elements that represent the Psyche Mission.

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Reflections on Project 2: Polarity of Psyche

Polarity of Psyche

aditi Mungale

January 12th, 2024

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: Watercolor and Ink

About the work: The beauty of Psyche lies in the many meanings that are intertwined with its name. Psyche is the name of the Greek goddess of the soul, but it is also the name of an incredible space mission exploring an asteroid light years away. ‘Polarity of Psyche’ explores the idea of two very different concepts coming together, and the intriguing relationship between a physical and abstract idea.

The foreground of the painting contains a depiction of Psyche the goddess in an ethereal forest. She has butterfly wings behind her figure as an homage to the traditional iconography associated with the myth. The sky is painted with swirling clouds and a silhouette of the psyche spacecraft, depicting its journey throughout space. Both Psyches are outlined in gold ink to signify the common connection between the dual figures.

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Reflections on Project 3: uncovering Psyche

Uncovering Psyche

aditi Mungale

April 9th, 2024

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: Acrylic Painting

About the work: “Uncovering Psyche” is an abstract exploration of the emotions experienced by Annibale de Gasparis, the discoverer of Psyche, as he first gazed upon the celestial object. Around the asteroid, there are vibrant colors and illustrated depictions of stars to represent the exuberance de Gasparis must have felt when he first gazed upon Psyche.

This piece is also a representation of a leading hypothesis of Psyche’s formation. Our current leading hypothesis is that Psyche is the remaining core of a planetesimal that was slowly differentiated. As such, Psyche is painted in muted colors, and the surrounding colors represent the “ghost” of its former planetary shell.

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Reflections on Project 4: 3D Psyche

3D Psyche

aditi Mungale

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: Ink and Watercolor on Watercolor paper

About the work: “3D Psyche” is an exploration of all the different components that make up the psyche mission. Each panel of this paper sculpture has a illustration of what makes Psyche unique. For instance, some of the panels contain references to the myth of Psyche, such as Psyche flowers and Eros’s wings. Other aspects of this piece reference the surface, journey, and location of the Psyche asteroid. I also included drawings of the scientific parts that make up the Psyche spacecraft, including diagrams from actual research papers produced by the Psyche team. At the top of this sculpture, there is a blank square to represent that the story of the Psyche mission is not yet complete. The inspiration of this piece comes from Ludwig von Hohenfeld’s Polyhedra sun dial. I wanted to reinterpret the classic sun dial in context of Psyche, and demonstrate the beauty of this metal asteroid.

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Psyche Inspired

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