Psyche Inspired: Lydia Pitts

Institution: Bowdoin College

Major: Computer Science and Digital & Computational Studies

Psyche Inspired Class: 2020-2021

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Constructed

Black ink dots on plexiglass build up the form of Psyche. There are two major craters, a series of rifts and the surface appears pockmarked with small craters.

Constructed

Lydia Pitts

December 9, 2020

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: ink on plexiglass

About the work: This project was inspired by previous visual representations of Psyche seen through the lens of how we build our current interpretation of the asteroid. We understand and form our visual interpretations of Psyche through collected data. I utilized pointillism to represent this consolidation of data points. Black ink on plexiglass creates the fine dots that construct the form of Psyche. This piece is transparent, but when positioned in the light, shadows from the dots in the shape of Psyche can be seen. Dimensions: 11” x 18”.

View Full Project

Reflections on Project 2: Surfaces

This piece is 8 inches by 10 inches. Black ink on 7 layers of 0.1 inch plexiglass was utilized to create thin black lines that build up a slightly three-dimensional form of Psyche. There are two major craters, a series of rifts, and the surface appears pockmarked with small craters. The many layers of glass are held by a dark wooden frame.

Surfaces

Lydia Pitts

February 5, 2021

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: ink on plexiglass and wood

iAbout the work: The intent of Surfaces was to create an abstract representation of Psyche’s surface that still inspires a sense of the asteroid’s tangibility. Seven layers of glass are held within an oak frame. Ink lines on each layer of glass create a three-dimensional form with a relief of 0.7 inches. The form is inspired by previously hypothesized representations of Psyche. (Dimensions: 8” x 10”)

View Full Project

Reflections on Project 3: Align

This piece is 24 inches by 13.5 inches. Red and black ink marks on 0.25 inch plexiglass were utilized to create lines that outline the shape of Psyche. There are two major craters and a series of rifts on the surface that appear pockmarked with small craters. As light shines through the plexiglass, red and blue shadows in the shape of Psyche are cast onto a white background.

Align

Lydia Pitts

February 19, 2021

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: ink on plexiglass

About the work: Align builds the form of Psyche through ink lines. Red lines mirror the blue lines and are separated by 0.25 inches of plexiglass. As one moves around the piece, the relationship of the red and blue lines shift. This relationship is also highlighted as light passes through, casting red and blue shadows. (Dimensions: 24” x 13.5”)

View Full Project

Reflections on Project 4: Orbiting Impact

Orbiting Impact

Lydia Pitts

April 23, 2021

Major: Computer Science

Genre/Medium: ink on plexiglass

About the work: Orbiting Impact was inspired by all the stages of the mission – from start to finish. The mission’s on-Earth representation through the logo is a significant aspect of the mission. An immense amount of work on Earth has been done, and still has yet to be done, in order to prepare for launch in 2022. The spacecraft is a beautiful piece of technology in which all of the instruments we will use to learn about Psyche are housed. This spacecraft will follow four orbits, and the hopeful result will be a much clearer understanding and image of the asteroid. Orbiting Impact utilizes black ink on plexiglass in order to create these representations. Dimensions: 8” x 10”, 8” x 10”, 8” x 2”, 4” x 10”.

View Full Project

Psyche Inspired

Learn more about the Psyche Inspired program and view other works

Psyche Inspired