The challenge was meant to express the experience that we feel in living through this historic time, through a work of art. Through the demonstration, key photos that show both the isolation that has been faced due to social distancing measures from the pandemic, but also that collaboration between individuals regarding science and innovation continuously prevails. This was one specific aspect that I found to be motivational - despite these trying times, we continue to make scientific breakthroughs by adjusting our work strategies and working together. This is evidently seen when we consider Launch America, which was a successful mission despite the current situation. People from all across the world tuned in to watch this historic launch, and for a small moment, the feelings of despair were traded for feelings of hope and inspiration.
The final solution ties in art and science (with photos retrieved from NASA sources) to show how we, as humans, are continuously moving forward, especially during the situation created during COVID-19.
When I read through the challenges, I knew that I wanted to participate in the Art of It All challenge, with the intention of making an original composition. I wanted to make a song that would resonate with the theme of always moving forward, and when tied into the pictures from NASA sources, the song shows that hope can prevail, which is something that I am always learning, especially during the current pandemic.
On day 1, I started by playing around on the piano, hoping to find a motif for my song. I knew that I wanted the song to be emotional - the pandemic has been tough - but I wanted it to become stronger as time went on, to represent our resilience in the face of challenges. Once I found a motif, I started organizing the notes into sheet music using MuseScore, and started to record myself playing the song on the piano (after lots of practice).
In between sessions of playing the piano and brainstorming ideas, I took a break to watch Launch America - after seeing the successful launch between SpaceX and NASA, I was inspired to include this as part of my piece. The success of the launch, despite the delays it faced and the environment that we are in with the pandemic, was exactly the resiliency and power that I wanted the song to show.
Once the song was recorded, I started browsing pictures of the launch in NASA's Image and Video Library, and compiled them into a PowerPoint presentation that I then set to the original composition, titled "Always Moving". I added links to the full song to my newly created website, www.sierrasparks.co .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sb-PRUJlAI
NASA Image and Video Library: https://images.nasa.gov/
Psychiatry Advisor: https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/general-psychiatry/costs-of-social-isolation-loneliness-covid19
Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-deserted-empty-airports-world-coronavirus-air-travel-2020-2#at-26-deaths-iran-has-the-highest-number-of-coronavirus-caused-deaths-outside-of-china-6
Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/6911552/work-from-home-coronavirus-office-changes/