Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service's Blog

Iowa Up Close

Albert Einstein once said, "After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in aesthetics, plasticity, and form.” Indeed, rippled lines of vibrant yellow sand dunes (recorded by the SPOT I and Landsat 4 space satellites over Yemen) are not so distinct from the bold swathes of color rendered by Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky in the 1910s. Nor are the geometric squares captured by Landsat 7 of Brazilian rainforests so different from early 20th-century forms of cubism--all about color and the manipulation or breakdown of complex elements into forms and structures.

This is really what satellite imagery can do--give us a big-picture view while, at the same time, providing us with the nitty-gritty details. Didn't realize that satellites had such artistic "eyes"? Well, it helps that their subject is the most flawless and fascinating model in the universe. Resplendent in rich greens, blues, yellows and reds, Planet Earth is the star of our Earth from Space (EFS) exhibition, touring the country through March 2010.

The University of Northern Iowa's museum doesn't host the exhibit until next month, but Cedar Falls residents have already been inspired by this marriage of art and science, technology and creativity. A precursor to the SITES exhibition, "Iowa Up Close" features 100 photographs of the state, from its lakes to rivers to farms to fauna.

Earth from Space "really shows you a unique perspective of the world," said Romney Hall, spokesperson for the museum. "So with 'Iowa Up Close' we wanted to do the same thing for our state." Photographers could submit works in several divisions--the same thematic categories in EFS: Water and Air, Living Planet, Structure of the Land, and the Human Presence. Many participants entered more than one shot in more than one category. Marnell Lyle, for one, entered a picture of mist rising off a lake in George Wyth State Park as well as images of recently cultivated farmlands and cattle farmers. "Part of the fun of doing it," she noted "was doing an intellectual analysis of what each particular photo represented and how it could symbolize the themes." Lyle and her fellow participants seemed particularly interested in capturing the here-and-now. "If development comes through," said one teacher "we'll be able to have these photos to remember what the land looked like."

Top honors in the contest (for each category, including adult and youth) were awarded yesterday. Check out the photo album in the left column! Want to know more?

See the satellite images with your own eyes. Go to the EFS website and take a virtual tour!

Clemente Touches Them All

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory was rocking on October 21, as our Latino-themed Free Family Day kicked-off the opening of Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente. Over 1200 people flocked here to be a part of the lively festivities. From salsa lessons with our live band, to Latino food, to arts and crafts, we truly had something for everyone, even a clinic in our batting cages.

During the event, I chatted with several Puerto Rico natives who now call Louisville home. They were so thrilled--and moved--to see their homeland's flag displayed in the exhibition. I told them we got the biggest one we could find, and at 6' x 10', they believed it!  We also discussed how much Clemente still means to them and what a wonderful opportunity this exhibition provides for people of all cultures to come together.

When the good folks at the Smithsonian first approached us about hosting a Roberto Clemente exhibition, I will admit that I flashed back to the bedroom I had growing up and the Clemente poster that was prominently displayed on my wall. It was a shot of him at bat. I've loved learning so much more about a ballplayer I already admired, and I know thousands of others will feel the same way as this show travels around the country. As the first stop on the tour, what an honor it is for Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to "bat lead off" for the Smithsonian on this!

-Anne Jewell, Guest Author, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

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